Page 65 of Last Dance, Second Chance

“I haven’t said anything to them,” Jessica said quickly. “And I wasn’t planning to. What’s going on between us is just between us.”

“I just feel a bit awkward, like your parents will think I’m taking advantage of you,” Nathan explained.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying being taken advantage of,” whispered Jessica.

Nathan opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by two little voices calling, “Auntie Jessica, Auntie Jessica,” as Emily and Sophie came running out into the garden and flung themselves on their aunt.

Nathan gently supported her so she didn’t topple over.

“Careful there, girls,” he said. “Don’t forget your aunt’s still a bit broken.”

“Sorry!” the girls chorused.

“Ballet class was so fun!” said Emily.

“Yeah, I’m definitely coming next week,” added Sophie.

“That’s great!” said Jessica.

Peter came out behind his sisters, clutching his precious football as usual.

“Would you play football with me, please, Nathan?” he asked.

“Sure. Girls, do you want to join?”

Emily and Sophie nodded.

Jessica watched as Nathan played with her nieces and nephew, who were soon joined by Monty and Dennis. He was right, it was potentially awkward that her mum and dad suspected what was going on between the two of them. She knew that they would judge it if they knew that neither Jessica nor Nathan wanted anything long-term. Nathan had already experienced the destruction of one long-distance relationship, and neither of them could commit to travelling back and forth regularly enough. When she was back in New York she had to be absolutely focused on her recovery — she couldn’t divide herself. It had to be her career or Nathan.

Chapter Twelve

“Are you all right?” Nathan asked as Jessica walked him and Dennis to the door at the end of the evening. Andrew and his family had left hours ago, but Nathan had hung around chatting with Jessica and her parents.

“Yeah,” she said. “Just feeling a bit weird about what you said about my family knowing about us. You’re right, it is awkward. But I don’t know what to do about it.”

“I don’t think there’s a lot we can do, really.”

“Would you like us to stop... you know...” asked Jessica, doing everything she could to sound relaxed despite her stomach sinking at what she was suggesting. “And go back to just being friends?”

“No,” he said, immediately. “Which is probably really selfish of me.”

“I want to be selfish too, if that helps.”

“I don’t want you to have to hide anything and lie to your family.”

“Neither do I, but I also don’t want to deal with all their questions. I’m only going to be here for a few weeks.” Jessica noticed the cloud fall on Nathan’s face. “Let’s make the most of our time together, privately.”

“OK.” Nathan sighed. “I suppose that makes sense, but I don’t like it.”

“Me neither, but I like it better than not getting to be with you, or explaining to my parents that I’m having a fling.”

“Oh, I’m a fling, am I?” Nathan checked no one was around before pulling her to him for a kiss.

“The hottest fling of my life,” Jessica whispered, her legs turning to jelly.

“I’ll accept that,” Nathan said. “I wish you could come home with me now.”

“I know, but that really would give the game away,” Jessica said regretfully.

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