Page 97 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
“I won’t let Vincent sack you. I’m going to find somewhere for us to live. Whether the deal goes through or not, I’m staying up here for a month.”
There was the answer to one of Jonty’s questions.
“Whether the deal goes through or not, I want you in my life. Give me a chance. Giveusa chance. You’ve made me smile again. I don’t want to let you go.”
Jonty pressed his face into Dottie’s soft fur.
Give him a chance.
Take a risk.
You know there’s something special between you.
“What’s going through your mind?” Devan whispered.
“I’m wondering if you’re going to break my heart.”
“If you don’t give me another chance, you’re going to break mine.”
Chapter Fourteen
DEVAN BLINKED RAIN FROM HISeyes as he stared at Jonty. This was too fast. He was an idiot for thinking Jonty would want to move in with him. An idiot to look for his father without asking him. He’d let Jonty down so badly.If he asked me to walk away from this deal… If the choice was between him and the hotel… Oh God. How the fuck am I even considering that?
“Do you like dogs?” Jonty asked.
Er…Jonty’s change of direction threw him for a moment.“Yes, if they’re not stopping me kissing you. They do seem to make a habit of that.”
Devan thought Jonty might put the dog down, but he didn’t. He carried on walking, though he was smiling.
“Tell me what you hate,” Jonty said.
Was this Jonty’s way of forgiving him? Offering giving him another chance?
“Snakes, particularly ones that live in sand dunes, my ex, chewing gum stuck to my shoe, my ex, popcorn, new year resolutions, fizzy water that’s lost its fizz, did I mention my ex? Pistachios that won’t open, beards, having my hair cut, filing my nails, having to drink wine I don’t like, wasps bothering me, flies even when they’re not bothering me, sitting in heavy traffic in London, vultures, drama queens, cashews, people who hum for no reason, reality TV, noisy pens, paper cuts, football, TV soaps. I better stop there.”
“You were just getting going.”
“I’m not sure thathateis the right word. It’s too strong.”
“Unless we’re talking about snakes that live in sand dunes and your ex.”
“Goes without saying.” The weight on Devan’s heart began to lift. He hadn’t added Griff to that list. Maybe that indicated there was hope. Everyone makes mistakes in their life. The last thing that remains was family. Devan didn’t want his family broken.
“What do you love?” Jonty put Dottie down and the dog ran on ahead.
“I love listening to music turned up loud, but I like reading in silence. I love skiing in fresh snow, looking at the stars, mist in the morning, sunshine at any time, my family—mostly, unusualhow tobooks, the beauty of mathematics, crisp smoky bacon, trees, unexpected things happening, riding on the beach, the realisation that something was worth the wait, second chances, Cadbury’s Flakes, you making me smile, you holding my hand.”Maybe just you, and your mixed-up crazy life that I find myself wanting to be part of.
“What do you think I hate?” Jonty asked.
Devan didn’t hesitate. “Rude hotel guests, being interrupted when you’re eating a Flake, your stalker, your father, snakes, sharks, being accused of something you didn’t do, promises being broken, hospitals, people being sad, people letting you down, dogs that interrupt kisses, unfinished business.”
Jonty gaped at him.
“I don’t think there’s a whole lot that you hate,” Devan said. “You’re not that type of guy. There’s a whole lot more that you love. Northumberland with all its secrets and amazing scenery, Cadbury’s Flakes, surfing, fish and chips, cooking, your job, riding on the beach, running down the dunes, doing crazy things, changing the subject, your friend Tay, collecting sea glass and turning it into something even more incredible, sunshine, making people smile, pictures of big dicks. Damn, I forgot to add that to mine.”
Jonty chuckled and even in the driving rain, Devan felt the warmth of relief seeping through him.
“I came up here for two reasons. To escape from my brother’s joy and the pain that caused me, and to look for a hotel to buy. Now I have a far more important reason to be here because you’ve shown me that second chances exist. Please…” He took a deep breath. “This is all wrong and yet at the same time, it’s completely right. I’ve never felt more sure of anything in my life. Spend a month with me and we’ll see if this is going to go where I hope it’s going to go. If you ask me to tell Hamish I’m no longer interested in buying, I will. I still want that month.”
