Page 19 of Last Dance, Second Chance

While Nathan was out walking the dogs, Jessica took the opportunity to tidy herself up. She hobbled into her bedroom, sat down on the bed, and checked herself in her make-up mirror. For someone who took a lot of pride in her appearance and was frequently judged on it because of her career choice, she thought she looked a fright.

This was the first day for as long as she could remember that she hadn’t put her hair up in a chignon for at least part of the time. It would probably do it good to have a break from it, she decided, and gave it a brush, leaving it loose around her shoulders. She put on some concealer and foundation, to hide her puffy eyes as best as she could, and added some eyeliner and mascara. It would make her feel better. Nothing to do with the fact that she’d be spending the evening with Nathan at all. She changed into a clean top. She was feeling excited, she realised. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d been excited about spending an evening with a man, unless she was going to be dancing alongside him, of course. It was a nice feeling, and it was certainly good to have her mind taken off her foot, at least a little.

* * *

It seemed like an age until Nathan returned, but when he did he came bearing food and two worn-out dogs.

“I’ve got some rainbow trout, and I thought we could have some sweet potato wedges and asparagus with it,” said Nathan as he unpacked the bags of shopping.

“Sounds yummy. You’ll have to let me pay towards food while I’m here, though.”

“We’ll go halves,” said Nathan, easily. “I also got a bottle of this Shiraz I like — will you have a glass with me?”

“I don’t usually drink,” explained Jessica.

“I’ve also got some sparkling elderflower if you’d prefer?”

“Actually —” Jessica hesitated — “do you know what? I think I will have a glass of wine. I reckon I deserve it after the afternoon I’ve had.”

“I think so too. This definitely counts as extenuating circumstances.” He retrieved two glasses from a cupboard and poured them both a drink before handing one to Jessica. Their fingers brushed as she took it from him, sending a little tingle around her body. A very pleasant tingle, she mused to herself.

“If I get a chair set up for your foot to rest on, you can sit at the kitchen table and be my sous chef,” Nathan offered.

“OK, but don’t expect too much from me,” Jessica warned. “I’m a terrible cook.”

“I doubt that.” Nathan took out two knives and two chopping boards and placed one of each in front of Jessica.

“No, I really am,” Jessica said, laughing. “I think it comes from never really taking the time to learn and never having the patience to wait around for things to cook properly. But then the takeaway food and the delis in New York are so amazing.”

“Not quite like in Bowerbridge, eh?”

“No. The food you got last night was lovely,” she quickly added, “But there’s not a lot of choice.”

“I lived in Manchester for about five years before moving here, and there are some amazing restaurants and takeaways there,” he said, taking the fish out of its packaging and placing it on his board.

“I bet. How come you moved, was it just for the job?”

Nathan’s demeanour shifted, and he was silent for a moment, apparently very absorbed in the trout he was deboning. Eventually, he said, “No, it wasn’t just the job. My relationship broke up and I needed a change of scene.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s fine, but I’d rather not talk about it if you don’t mind,” Nathan said.

“Of course, not a problem. When did you learn to cook?” Jessica asked to change the subject.

Nathan looked at her gratefully. “I guess I started at university just because it was cheaper than buying prepared food or takeaways, and I found that I quite enjoyed it so I taught myself more.”

“And look at you now, gutting fish like a pro! That really does look disgusting by the way...”

“It will taste amazing,” Nathan promised. “If I scrub the sweet potatoes in a minute, can you cut them into wedges?”

“That I think I can do,” said Jessica. Their eyes met and Jessica smiled shyly at Nathan. His eyes travelled down to her mouth and she felt her heart begin to race. Then Monty jumped up at the counter to try to help himself to some fish.

“Monty! Get off!” Nathan said sternly. The moment was lost and the dog was put outside to think about his actions.

* * *

Supper did indeed taste amazing, and the glass of wine Jessica drank relaxed her enough that if it hadn’t been for her stupid foot, she would have been having a really good time.

---