Page 124 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
Kate gave her a shrewd look. “But you’ve thought about him?”
“I can’t stop thinking about him.” Jess wiped her eyes on some paper napkins. “But it doesn’t matter, I’ve made a mess of everything.” She shuddered out a breath. “I’ve been awful to him, Kate, I didn’t give him a chance. I even assumed he was dating his sister-in-law.”
Kate’s mouth twitched. “That sounds like a veryyouthing.”
“Yeah.” Jess sighed, noticing a few people hovering nearby. “We’d better get back, I suppose.”
They stood, and immediately three people claimed their table.
Jess linked Kate as they left the café and crossed the road. “I’m going to miss you so much when you go on maternity leave.”
“It’ll be strange taking time off,” Kate said, wryly. “I barely had time to breathe after I had Luke.”
Jess squeezed her arm. “I remember.”
They came to a halt outside the double glass doors of head office.
Kate turned. “I really wish things had worked out with you and Adam.”
“We’re not meant to be.” Jess managed a smile. “I’ll be fine, I swear. And this is going to be such a great week – I can hardly wait for your wedding.”
“I still wish you were taking someone to it.”
“I don’t want to take someone just for the sake of it, Kate. I’d be better off on my own.” Jess realised she meant it. “You and Simon are getting married. That’s all that matters now.”
CHAPTER 65
@AfricBrooks So sad to be finishing up on the set of An Irish Inheritance. We’ve been one big, happy family for the past six weeks in Linford Castle. #romcommovie #romcom #AnIrishInheritance
It was hard to believe that it had been just less than a year since she and Simon had called off their wedding – at the tiny country church in Ballygobbin.
Now, outside Kate’s local church in Raheny, the sun was a blistering globe in a bright blue sky, and a warm breeze blew Jess’s hair across her face, as she stood chatting with one of Kate’s brothers.
“That’s my last smoke,” Colm said, stubbing out his cigarette on the side of a rubbish bin, before throwing the butt in. “I promised Kate I’d quit whenever she got married.”
Jess grinned. “When did you promise that?”
“A few years ago. She wasn’t with anyone at the time.” Colm scrunched up his face. “Is it weird being here, seeing Simon and Kate getting hitched?”
“Not as weird as you might think,” Jess said honestly. “I’m happy for them, really. I think they’ve both found their person.”
He nodded, apparently relieved, and Jess thought he was about to say something else but then changed his mind. “I’d better get in, I’m one of the groomsmen!” He leaned over and gave Jess an awkward hug and kiss. “Good to see you.”
“Catch you later, yeah?” She kept her tone light but released a quiet breath when he went back inside.
She’d been pretty sure he’d been about to say he was sorry to hear about the baby, and she couldn’t face anyone’s sympathy today. In fact, she doubted she could face anyone’s sympathy ever again. She wanted to move on. Which was difficult when people were constantly reminding her.
Although maybe it would be easier now. Six weeks in Linford had given her a bit of breathing space and a lot of perspective. And her brief fling with Robert had made her realise that moving on didn’t necessarily mean jumping into a new relationship.
She was also certain that Neil and Ciara had got it wrong about Adam. There had been no sign of him all week, and he’d made no attempt to contact her. She had to accept that it was completely over between them.
Jess took a deep breath and ran her hands quickly over the skirt of her short, blush-pink dress. Since she’d lost weight, her new dress size had been the perfect excuse for some retail therapy.
She checked her watch. It was time to go in and take her seat beside her parents. Simon was waiting at the top of the church and Kate would be here soon, with her dad and her bridesmaids.
As she turned to go inside, she heard someone approach.
“Hello, Jess.”
