Page 6 of The Last Saturday In July
Frank stood and Jess scrambled to her feet.
‘I’m excited to get stuck in,’ she said.
‘Excellent.’ He cleared his throat. ‘By the way, before themeeting, Ian Finnegan mentioned something about a problem with our phones. I asked our new receptionist, but the poor girl seems to be a bit dumbstruck around me.’
Jess wiped her hands on her skirt as she pretended to think. ‘Yeah, there might have been, but they seem fine now.’
‘Hmm, good stuff.’ Frank shook her hand. ‘Always lovely to see you, Jess. And don’t worry about Adam, he’ll be invaluable.’
Jess gave a bright smile. ‘I look forward to meeting him.’
Chapter 4
SIMON came into the bathroom that evening and wrapped his arms around Jess from behind. He smiled and rested his narrow chin on top of her head, his silky, fair hair flopping across his forehead.
Jess tied a double knot in her bathrobe and tried not to look guilty. Simon had been asleep by the time she’d got back the previous night and, as usual, he’d been gone by the time she woke this morning. Now she met his pale-blue eyes in the mirror above the sink. She was a terrible person, who didn’t deserve this thoughtful, caring, wonderful –
‘You smell amazing.’ He buried his nose in her hair.
‘Thanks.’ Jess swallowed hard. ‘Actually, I was just about to take a quick shower.’
‘Will I join you?’
Shower sex? In the three years they’d been together, that had never happened. Maybe he was trying to save water again. Like that time shortly after she’d moved in when there’d been a national water shortage and he’d insisted they shower together every day. Which had definitely been fun, especially as it had nothing to do with saving water. But the only time they’d attempted actual sex in the shower, Simon had slipped and sprained his wrist.
Now, his hand landed on her hip, and started to trail up to her breast.
His timing was atrocious. It was way too soon after … she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shove the memory of her one-night stand firmly from her mind. Even to think about Declan was dangerous.
She turned around, hardly daring to meet Simon’s eyes. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t? If we’re going to your parents for dinner. They’re kind of sticklers for timekeeping.’ She offered an apologetic smile.
Simon leaned in to kiss her lightly. ‘That’s extremely thoughtful of you.Um, have you thought any more about us starting a family?’
He looked so hopeful that Jess tried not to visibly tense, as a familiar feeling of panic slithered through her.
‘It’s such an important decision, Simon, and we shouldn’t rush it. Especially as I’ve just been promoted at work.’
Simon adjusted his round, wire-rimmed glasses on his nose. ‘That was nine months ago. I’d say you’ve more than proved yourself.’ He sighed. ‘Promise me you’ll keep thinking about it? I want us both to be on board for this. You’re already thirty, and studies show the older a woman gets –’
‘Simon!’
He blinked.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout.’ Jess pushed her hands into the pockets of her robe. ‘It’s just, well, we’ve been through all this before and, you know, thirty isn’t old. We’ve still loads of time.’
‘Well, yes, but it probably won’t happen the minute we start trying.’ His voice faltered. ‘And it’s not like we haven’t lived together.’ He blinked again, his fair eyebrows disappearing under his fringe.
Oh God, she dreaded that look. As an only child, Simon was obsessed with having a family. Especially as his own parents had married late and had, by all accounts, been lucky to have him. But she couldn’t take any more guilt.
‘I promise I’ll think about it.’ She managed another smile.
Simon pulled her to him and kissed her again, this time for a bit longer. Jess closed her eyes and remembered how much she loved him.
He released her. ‘You take your shower and I’ll go find a nice bottle of wine for Pops.’ He squinted past her. ‘Is that a bowl of sweets on the shelf?’
‘Er, no.’ Jess glanced around. ‘Miniature soaps, all different scents.’ She beamed. ‘What do you think? I thought they were a bit more homely.’
Simon laughed. ‘Than the liquid soap in the dispenser?’ He gave her one last quick kiss. ‘They’re fine.’
