Page 2 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
He was nodding. “Linford’s general manager, Anthony Neary, mentioned that the movie people were hoping to have someone like Ian around – somebody who could troubleshoot.”
Was he …?
“I was hoping you could step in and do that for a few weeks.”
He was!
Frank looked thoughtful. “Anthony was very impressed with how you rescued that celebrity wedding last year. And with the whole cast and crew staying there, he’ll be busy enough with the day-to-day running of the place.”
“Of course.” She hesitated. “That sounds … great.” She could troubleshoot. Strictly, it wasn’t in her job description, but it’d be different. Maybe different was what she needed.
“And, of course,” Frank continued, “if this movie’s a success, other film studios might see Linford Castle as the perfect place for their own productions.”
“Absolutely.” Jess’s smile was genuine now. A romcom in an old Irish castle. Really, the campaign would write itself!
“Excellent, I knew I could depend on you, Jess.” There was a knock on the door. “Excuse me a moment. Come in!”
The door opened and Adam Rourke walked into the room, stopping abruptly when he met Jess’s eyes.
Adam was here?Jess stared at him, a flood of emotions surging through her, her heart pounding as she forced herselfnot to get up and run from the room.Yoga breath, Jess.It had been six months since they’d broken up. Five months, three weeks and two days since she’d seen him.Bigger yoga breath, Jess.She’d guessed he’d gone back to work at the group’s head offices in Switzerland. Shit, now she felt lightheaded. She was going to faint.Breathe out, Jess.Why hadn’t Adam left already?
“Sorry, I can come back,” he said.
She flashed Frank a quick look. Judging by how uncomfortable he seemed, he hadn’t been expecting Adam to walk in either.
He nodded curtly. “That’d be best, Adam.”
Shooting Jess one last, piercing look, Adam turned on his heel and left, closing the door firmly behind him.
For a few moments, Jess concentrated on breathing normally again, while at the same time subtly shaking out her legs and feet, which seemed to be going into spasm. Along with her heart.Christ.
“My apologies, Jess. I knew Adam was back in the country but I wasn’t expecting him until later.” Frank paused. “I assume you didn’t know?”
“Uh, no.” She cleared her throat. “Honestly, Frank, there’s no problem.” It was a huge problem! It was bad enough that both she and Adam were employees. What made it worse was that Adam was her senior, not to mention Frank Charleston’s nephew!
He looked unconvinced. “He’ll be working here in Dublin for the next while.”
He said something else, but Jess didn’t hear him. Why had Adam returned now? Was he back indefinitely? Frank was still talking and Jess nodded, hoping he wouldn’t guess that she was barely able to concentrate.
During the past six months, she’d hardly allowed herself to acknowledge that a part of her still missed Adam. It was betterthat way. If she didn’t think about him, things would eventually get easier. Not right away, obviously, but at some stage. And no matter how painful it was, at least she’d done the right thing. She needed to move on.
“So,uh, the sooner I can get away the better,” Jess said when Frank finally stopped talking.
He blinked, frowning.
“To Linford,” she added, hurriedly. “The sooner I can get down there and chat to Anthony … there’s probably loads I can do before the Hollywood people arrive.”
Where would she stay? Who cared? She’d sleep in a tent if it meant getting out of Dublin, now Adam was back.
“Good thinking.” Frank shuffled some papers on his desk.
Jess was pretty sure he could guess why she was suddenly so keen to escape. But she didn’t care.
“I’ll get my PA to call Anthony today and see if he can find suitable accommodation,” he said.
“Thank you, Frank.” Jess released a breath.
One problem solved – at least for the next six weeks.
