Page 34 of Last Dance, Second Chance

She breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly messaged Nathan so he wouldn’t worry: My foot’s done for the night. I’m heading back to yours.

That should buy her some time to sort her head out and work out how to salvage her friendship with Nathan if that was even possible.

She’d only made it to the corner of the street when she heard, “Jess! Jess! Wait up.”

She stopped and turned. She’d known deep down that he would come out to find her as soon as he read her message, and it wasn’t like she could move particularly quickly.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she said. “Go back and enjoy the party.”

“Don’t be daft,” Nathan said immediately. “Let’s go home. I think we need to talk.”

“OK, but you should go and say goodbye.”

“Yes, I should.”

“Would you say thank you from me? I’ll meet you back home.”

Nathan didn’t look happy about her walking by herself, but the determined look on her face told him there was no point in arguing this one.

“OK, but you might at least like to take the house keys with you.” He handed Jessica a set of keys, making her blush. She’d been so anxious to get away she hadn’t even thought about how she’d get into the house. “I’ll see you soon.” He gave her arm a gentle goodbye squeeze and walked back towards the party.

* * *

Jessica received a hero’s welcome from Monty and Dennis, but not even their wagging tails and the fact that she’d managed to keep her balance when they came bounding over to her could make her smile.

She couldn’t believe that she’d given in to a stupid whim to kiss Nathan. The first time she’d ever managed a proper friendship with a man — in fact, one of the only proper friendships she’d ever had — and she’d gone and messed it up.

She went into the kitchen and put on the kettle, automatically taking out two mugs to make Nathan a drink as well.

She continued berating herself: she really couldn’t have chosen anyone more unsuitable to make a pass at. Not only was he one of her only genuine friends, but he lived thousands of miles away from her, and, from the sounds of things, he already had some sort of a relationship going with whoever this Claire woman was. Plus, he knew absolutely nothing about ballet and the world she lived in. He’d never understand her unusual life.

She made two cups of tea. She never normally drank the stuff, but she was in the mood for something comforting, and tea seemed to fit the bill. Anyway, wasn’t tea what British people traditionally drank when they had a problem?

Nathan knocked on the door as she was finishing making the drinks.

“Thanks,” he said when she let him in.

“Only you would say thank you to someone for opening your own front door to you,” said Jessica. As much as she didn’t want to have the conversation that was coming, she knew they had to. “Come into the kitchen, I’ve made you a cup of tea.”

They sat opposite each other at the table.

“So . . .” Nathan began.

“Yeah . . .”

“I don’t think either of us planned for that to happen.”

“No,” agreed Jessica. “The beer, and the party atmosphere...”

“Exactly. I’m sorry I overstepped the mark.”

“Me too.”

“I really don’t want this to make things weird between us.”

“Me neither, but if it is, and you’d rather I went back to my mum and dad’s house, I can. I’m moving around much better now,” said Jessica.

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