Page 87 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
She flashed him a grateful smile. “I wasn’t going to do it until I felt I had most people on my side.”
“You got the right outcome, that’s all that matters.” He winked. “They’re lucky to have you. I mean, that guy Adam is useless.”
“No, he’s not.” Jess pulled back, a bit surprised. “Anthony and Adam both did the hard work up there before I did my bit.”
“It’s called teamwork, Robert.”
They both turned to see Adam right behind them. He stared at Robert for a moment before turning his attention to Jess.
Robert muttered something and threw his arm around Jess’s shoulder, pulling her close. “Let’s get out of here.”
Jess winced, shooting an involuntary glance in Adam’s direction. She knew Robert was probably still annoyed at Adam for accusing him of mistreating Zeffre the day they’d gone riding. As for Adam, he needed to realise that he couldn’t just step back into her life whenever he felt like it. She had boundaries. And after that kiss, it was time to redraw them.
She looked up at Robert. “I could do with a drink.”
He dropped a hard kiss on her lips. “I was thinking exactly the same thing.”
CHAPTER 43
@starzwatch: Word on the set ofAn Irish Inheritanceis that Spencer Torres is avoiding his fellow actors, preferring to spend alone time in his luxury cottage in the grounds of Linford Castle. Could there be real trouble between the loved-up stars? #TheLinfordCurse
@AfricBrooks: Tnx to everyone asking how I am. Bit tired atm but Spencer and I all good. #AnIrishInheritance
“See you later, darling.” Mel planted a loud kiss on Spencer’s mouth, before taking Snuggles’ lead from him and turning to catch Jess’s eye.
Automatically, Jess flashed them both a smile and a cheery wave.Don’t react, Jess. Pretend you haven’t just caught themin a lip-lock.Not that they were being exactly secretive about it. In fact, if theywerehaving an affair, wouldn’t they be keeping those kind of see-you-laters behind closed doors?
It struck Jess that Spencer was more like the favourite child. Or in this case, the favourite star.
“Hey there, Jess.” Mel stopped to talk.
Jess was relieved to see that Snuggles was muzzled. Mel started to rub the dog behind his ears. “Remind me where this big guy goes when he’s in the castle?”
“Oh, Gerry, one of our staff, looks after him – he has a bed in the basement.”
“Who? Gerry?” Mel chuckled.
“Ha-ha, very good.Um, I could take him from here if you like?”
“No, it’s okay, I got him.” Mel gave her a long look. “You look like you’re going somewhere.”
“I am, yes.” She flicked a look in the direction of the stables where she’d planned to spend a bit of time.
Anything to try to shake the sense of unease she’d woken to that morning. It probably shouldn’t be surprising, given that her life had become so messy and complicated again. And she was laying the blame for that squarely at Adam’s door. If he hadn’t shown upwith his new girlfriendand started kissingher– his ex-girlfriend – and fought with Robert and rescued her when her horse had spooked, thenmaybeher thoughts wouldn’t be so scattered.
But after a morning where she’d managed to get absolutely nothing done, she’d realised that things weren’t going to get any better unless she got out of her own head for a while.
And the fact that she was wearing a pale-grey trouser suit wasn’t about to stop her either.
She found Noah in the tack room.
“Jess!” He looked pleased to see her. “How are you?
She pushed her hands into her pockets. “Actually, I needed to get out of the office for a while. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty.”
“Hmph.” He pointed to her dark-grey court shoes. “What are you, a six?”
“Five and a half.”
