Page 32 of Last Dance, Second Chance

“Wouldn’t have missed it,” replied Nathan. “Stephen, this is my friend, Jessica. Jessica, our host, Stephen.”

“Hello,” said Jessica with what she hoped was a charming smile. She really was feeling nervous now, which was daft because it was just a little barbecue, and she’d most likely never see these people again after this evening anyway.

“Come on through and grab a drink — everyone’s in the garden.”

The house was small and cosy, full of books, comfy chairs and knick-knacks. Jessica liked it immediately. The door to the garden was through the kitchen, and a few people were in there sorting out drinks.

“Hi, Nathan, thanks for coming,” said a woman, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Jessica bristled slightly despite herself, until Nathan said, “Jess, this is Stephen’s wife, Amelia. Jessica’s staying with me at the moment while her foot heals.”

“I hope you’re not stuck with him for too long,” joked Amelia. “Doctors are the worst people to live with when you’ve got anything wrong with you.”

Jessica laughed. “He’s actually been brilliant — if a bit bossy.”

Nathan threw her a look of mock indignation. “That’s the thanks I get!”

“I said you’d been brilliant!”

“Can I get you both a drink before you end up falling out completely and leaving early?” asked Amelia.

“We brought some beers with us,” said Nathan. “May I put them in the fridge?”

“If you can find room! There are some other people from the surgery outside.”

“Excellent,” he said. “Beer, Jess?”

“Sure.”

He carried their drinks outside, where Jessica was grateful to see lots of available chairs.

A group of people called Nathan over, and they sat down in a couple of seats with them.

“So,” said one man, eyeing up Jessica, “We finally get to meet Nathan’s new girlfriend. We’ve been wondering why he’s been running off home so quickly after work recently.”

“Jess and I aren’t together,” Nathan said quickly.

“I’m just staying with Nathan for a while. We’re old school friends,” added Jessica.

“What did you do to your foot?” asked a small woman, who looked around Jessica’s age.

“I was pushed over by my dad’s unruly dog, and ended up breaking it.”

“Oh no! And you’re staying with Nathan while it heals?”

“Just for a while. I live in New York. I flew over here to surprise my family, but they were leaving to go on holiday, and then I broke my foot, and Nathan stepped in to help me out.”

“What a hero.” The woman looked over at Nathan. It was completely obvious that she fancied him and had been fishing for information about Jessica’s relationship with him.

“He certainly is,” said Jessica, automatically putting her hand on Nathan’s knee. Why had she done that? She glanced at Nathan and saw that he was looking down at her hand. He looked up and caught her gaze. His hand covered hers and gave it a little squeeze. He didn’t move it away.

What is happening here? thought Jessica. “What do you do in New York?” asked someone else.

“I’m a ballet dancer,” Jessica said. She instantly had everyone’s attention.

“Wow! Who do you dance with?”

“Are you with a company?”

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