Page 69 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
“Why were you in Kilshanley?”
“The mid-week market. Emily took a stall to sell her jewellery, and I took a day off to keep her company.” She glanced over again, but Robert’s face was a mask of polite interest.
They reached the gates, and Jess slowed to a crawl as she waited for them to open. Nudging the car through, she held up her pass to the security guard on the other side and then pulled away up the driveway.
“So, you’re part of the local theatre group there?” she prompted. “I didn’t know you acted.”
He shrugged. “A friend asked me to help out with auditions.”
“But you must know a lot about theatre?”
He shot her a quick smile. “Just doing a favour, that’s all.”
Okay, she wouldn’t push this. Driving around to the west side of the castle, she parked as closely as she could to the door and switched off the engine. They got out, dashing inside out of the rain.
Robert shrugged out of his wet coat before helping her out of hers.
“I was thinking I haven’t seen much of you since the summer solstice,” he said as they walked up the corridor towards the foyer. “No regrets, I hope?”
“Of course not!” Jess said quickly. “It was great, you were great.” She felt her face warm.
“That’s a relief.” He laughed. “So, what are you doing later?”
“What had you got in mind?”
“I was thinking I could cook dinner for us and then you could stay over?”
“Stay over?”
They reached the west corner of the foyer and Jess sneezed loudly, wishing there weren’t so many flowers everywhere.
Robert nodded. “I can promise you a more comfortable bed than the one you’re sleeping in every night.”
“Oh, when you put it that way.”
“Come over around seven. Just bring a toothbrush.” He winked and started off in the direction of the Great Hall.
She stood for a moment, watching him.Look at me, moving on with my life. Sleepovers with my new boyfriend.Was he her boyfriend? She hadn’t actually asked him if they were exclusive. Shit, she should really figure that out before she started jumping to conclusions.
“Robert?” He’d already disappeared from sight but Jess’s voice echoed in the high-ceilinged foyer.
He reappeared, an expectant look on his face.
What was she thinking? She wasn’t going to ask him something like that. “Nothing.” She smiled brightly. “See you later.”
She really had to stop overthinking her life. Things were finally moving on –shewas finally moving on.It’s all good, Jess.
Slipping in behind reception, she noticed her office door was already open. As she got closer, she froze.
There, sitting at her desk, was Adam.
CHAPTER 35
Jess stared at him for several long moments, briefly wondering if he was a hallucination. No, this was real. Adam was here. In her office. With his bloody laptop and … was that a coffee cup? And what looked suspiciously like a plate full of biscuit crumbs on her desk.
He hadn’t noticed her yet, she realised. He was too busy frowning intently at something on the screen in front of him.
Maybe she could just leave and give herself a chance to …
