Page 61 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
He glanced at her. “Lately, it seems like the best move I ever made.”
Jess stopped halfway up the hill. Ahead of her, she could just make out the dark outline of the village church and its adjacent community centre and primary school.
“Here’s the thing, Robert, I don’t want to lead you on. Not when I’m going back to Dublin in a few weeks.”
“Hey, I’m a big boy!” He tugged Jess towards him and she put her free hand flat on his chest.
“Youareonly here for another few weeks. Why don’t you just have some fun?”
“Tonight was fun.”
“I was thinking about more grown-up fun.” His eyes darkened. “When was the last time you just let yourself go, Jess? Honestly?”
She didn’t want to think about that. That was before. This was now. She could be tempted into some fun, no-strings sex with a nice, uncomplicated guy. There was nothing wrong with that. In fact, it was probably exactly what she needed.
“Isn’t this a short cut back to the main street?”
He nodded.
Last chance to just say goodnight and keep things simple, Jess.But Robert was right – and she wanted to see if there was more between them. And, if she were being honest with herself, to see if she could put Adam behind her once and for all.
“Come and spend the night at mine,” she said.
“You sure? I don’t want to pressure you.”
Don’t make me change my mind.“You’re not pressuring me.”
He reached up and brushed her hair off her shoulders, tucking it behind her ears in a gesture she wished didn’t remind her of Adam. “I’ve been wanting to do that since I met you.”
“Is that all you’ve wanted to do?” She aimed for a light, flirty tone, and judging by his expression, it landed.
“What do you think?” He took her hand. “Let’s go to your place.”
CHAPTER 31
Jess turned in the bed the following morning and slowly opened her eyes. Her head felt a bit heavy. What had they put in that Sangria?
Robert was gone. The sheets on his side of the bed were cold, and she couldn’t hear anyone moving about downstairs.
Last night had been … lovely. Sex had been un-serious and easy and relaxed, with none of the passion and intensity there’d been with Adam. Which was a relief, obviously, because passion and intensity were completely overrated.
Her phone pinged and she leaned out of bed and grabbed it off the floor, smiling when she read Robert’s message.Sorry to leave like that but gossip travels like dust around here. Figured you might want a choice about that. X
Thoughtful, too – all good!
She stretched and massaged her temples, trying to remember if she had painkillers lying about. She studied Robert’s message again and considered her reply.
Had a great night. Do you want to get together later?
She deleted it immediately. She couldn’t send that – it looked like a booty call. The sexhadbeen lovely. But the best part was how normal it had been. It was also proof that she was finally moving on from Adam. Double win.
She wondered if Emily had had a good time. Opening Instagram, she wriggled up in the bed, pleased to see all the views and reposts of the summer solstice photos she’d uploaded while she’d been waiting for Robert at the end of the night. As she’d hoped, Afric, Spencer, Linford Castle and summer solstice were all trending.
This was perfect! Her instincts about the summer solstice party had been dead on. In fact, with all the goodwill generated among the locals after last night, they’d probably be able to hire out the castle to film studios on a regular basis – and the locals would be the first to get on board. She’d be willing to bet that the residents’ association committee might even start pitching their village to Hollywood as the perfect film location.
Not to mention that, for once, the reporters and photographers had been useful. TMZ had even run something. She let out a little squeal at the picture of Afric and Spencer together at the festival. Finally, something positive!
Then her eye fell on the headline.
