Page 80 of The Last Saturday In July
She just hoped that Zoe had got all her shots in the Great Hall before the lights collapsed, because there was no way she was going to get back into this dress again to pose with Adam. Falling fairy lights and open flames scorching her dress were bad enough. But playing happy couples with Adam was far more dangerous.
Chapter 31
ZOE and Gemma finished the shoot shortly after 5 o’clock and once the models left Ian invited the rest of the crew to stay on for dinner.
‘What are you going to do?’ Jess helped Zoe to pack her cameras and lighting equipment into the boot of her battered old Ford Fiesta.
Zoe grinned. ‘What do you think? How many chances do I get to eat for free in a five-star hotel? I’ve already stuffed my rucksack with bread rolls from lunch.’
Jess hesitated. The dinner would be amazing. But there’d also be far too much food and even more wedding chat, and she’d had enough of the latter for one day.
She bumped into Adam in the foyer.
‘Hey, are you staying for dinner or going straight home?’ she asked.
Adam inclined his head to one side. ‘What are you doing?’
Jess flushed. ‘I asked you first.’
His mouth twitched. ‘I’m not staying for dinner.’
‘Right, so could I get a lift with you?’
‘Really? You’d prefer to come with me than have dinner here?’
Did he just enjoy making her squirm? ‘I’m just not in the mood for small talk over a big meal.’
His expression changed. ‘Actually, you might prefer it.’
Was he still annoyed because she’d turned him down for that drink earlier? He didn’t strike her as petty, but maybe she’d misread him.
‘It’s cool, I didn’t mean to ...’
Adam cut across her. ‘I need to take a small detour on the way home.’
She could stay and get a lift back with Zoe. But Zoe would spend the whole drive home interrogating her about Adam and telling her not to marry Simon.
The truth was, she’d much prefer to spend the evening with Adam. He had no idea she was getting married. For a few blissful hours, she could forget about the wedding hurtling towards her.
‘It’s up to you.’
Adam’s eyes glinted. ‘I don’t mind, if you don’t.’
So they were playing that game. She gave her sweetest smile. ‘Ready when you are.’
Adam slanted Jess a glance as he drove down the curving, tree-lined driveway. ‘I didn’t tell you what my detour was.’
‘Is it something illegal?’ Jess allowed herself to feel excited at the prospect of a mini-adventure.
‘I’ll try for that next time, I promise.’ Adam’s mouth pulled upwards into a half smile. ‘I told Mam I’d stop by the farm. Dad went into hospital for a routine operation a couple of days ago, and he came home today.’
Jess stared at him. Maybe that was why he’d seemed so distracted earlier. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? The last thing your parents need is a stranger showing up.’
Adam burst out laughing. ‘You’re very Dublin, aren’t you? According to Mam, Dad is fine. But you’ll have to have dinner, they’ll insist. I can even arrange a tour, wellies included.’
‘Adam, it sounds lovely, but …’
‘We’re against the traffic, we’ll be there in less than an hour. And we have horses.’
