Page 123 of The Last Saturday In July
Jess fell silent for a few moments. ‘It sounds like everyone except me, could see what was right in front of me.’
‘I pulled away as soon as I realised, Jess.’ Kate balled her fists. ‘It freaked me out, I kept hoping I’d get over it.’
‘But you kissed him.’ Jess realised it didn’t bother her to say it.
‘Nothing else happened, I swear. I know what I said, but I drove down to Mayo yesterday to be there for you. If you’d gone ahead with the wedding, my heart would have broken, but I couldn’t bear to lose either of you.’
Jess’s eyes stung and she noticed that Kate was blinking quickly. ‘I don’t want to lose you either.’
They lapsed into silence for a few moments. Finally, Kate said, ‘I did kind of envy you when you and Simon got together.’
Jess frowned. ‘I always just felt we were both in the right place at the right time. Simon was the first guy who didn’t mess me around. It felt like a proper, grown-up relationship.’
Carmel came into the room, carrying a tea tray, and Kate jumped up to help her. ‘Thanks, Carmel.’
‘I got Hobnobs. You girls always loved them when you were little.’
Jess met Kate’s eyes, and they exchanged a grin. ‘Thanks, Mam.’
When Carmel left, Jess turned back to Kate. ‘I think Simon and I just realised in time that we were about to make a mistake. Not because you guys kissed, but because we really hadn’t sorted out the big stuff. We wanted different things from our relationship.’ Jess reached for a biscuit, then changed her mind. ‘I knew things weren’t right, Kate, but I kept putting it down to pre-wedding nerves and the pressure of the new job.’ She sighed. ‘I think I may have spent the last six months stress eating, by the way.’
Kate gave her a sympathetic look. ‘Have you talked to Simon today?’
‘No.’ Jess wrapped her hands around her cup. ‘We agreed to give each other some space.’
‘What about us?’
It took a moment for Jess to understand Kate’s meaning. ‘You think we need space, too?’
‘I don’t know.’ Kate hesitated. ‘Is it going to be weird between us?’
‘You mean if you and Simon get together?’
Kate went even redder. ‘I don’t know if that would ever happen.’
Jess was pretty sure it would, but she was determined not to interfere. She suddenly remembered something. ‘Kate, do you feel you owe me?’
‘What?’
‘It was something Zoe said.’
Kate sipped her tea. ‘I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me down the years, you’ve been an amazing friend.’ She looked a bit sheepish. ‘I know I haven’t been lately.’
When Jess said nothing, Kate added, ‘What about you? Will you take some time off?’
Jess folded her arms, pushing them into her stomach. ‘I’m not sure it’ll be time off. I think I might be fired.’
Kate looked horrified. ‘Because of the car chase? I don’t think so, Jess. Look, Frank’s pretty fair, I’m pretty sure you can plead your case. Anyway, Zoe told me you saved that wedding by persuading Leo and Brandi to get married.’
Obviously Zoe hadn’t told anyone that she’d helped Chelsea escape.
Jess felt a rush of gratitude for her sister.
‘Take a few days, okay? Look, I hope you don’t mind, but I have to go. Luke has a match.’ Kate tucked her hair behind her ears. ‘I’ll see you back in work? Or I’ll drop by again. Soon.’
Jess started to stand.
‘It’s okay, I’ll see myself out.’
