Page 27 of Putting Down Roots

No brain, not now.

Luckily, Anna appears with dessert before I check out again. I really have to keep it together—the tension is driving me insane.

I manage to get through dessert alright, and to join in the conversation. Jackson tells us of some of the famous gardenshe’s visited and when I express an interest, he offers to take me to visit some.

Although Anna didn’t want any help with the dinner preparations, she has no such qualms about clearing up, and we’re both soon pressed into service for clearing away and washing up. Jackson looks pleased at this. I think he likes to be doing something, and tries to help wherever he can. He washes up, I dry, and Anna makes the coffee—only fair considering how much work she put into the dinner. Which she declares a success, and says that Jackson is a good and appreciative guest. I wonder if she’s drunk too much wine.

When everything has been tidied away, Jackson says he should go, but after some subtle bullying on Anna’s part, is soon in the lounge with another drink in his hand. It’s the merlot, which Anna opens and says it would be rude for a guest not to drink the wine they brought. Anna is lounging on the sofa. Jackson has claimed an armchair on one side, and I the one on the other, so we form a triangle.

I’m too tense to try to make small talk, but thankfully Anna’s a master and I can just add a word or two. I don’t zone out again, which means I notice as a sly look comes over Anna’s face.

“Have you ever played Never Have I Ever?” she asks. I don’t bother answering—she knows the answer to that—but I do glare at her.What is she up to?

“Yeah, when I was about fifteen,” snorts Jackson.

“Oh, it’ll be much more interesting now you’re older.” Anna smiles and fills everyone’s glasses. The first few rounds are very tame. I learn Jackson hasn’t been skiing—well, neither have I.Never sung in public, shoplifted, or been on a blind date—can’t say the same about me.

Anna lures us in with a few safe questions and then . . . boom!

“Never have I ever romantically kissed a man.” Jackson swings his gaze between us both, slightly wary, but then he seems game and takes a drink. Anna looks pleased. I give her my best “die-bitch-die” stare.

“Your turn Luca,” she says, pointedly refusing to look at me.

“Never have I ever gotten a tattoo.”

Jackson takes a drink.Interesting. I would very much like to know where his tattoo is.It’s his turn.

“Never have I ever painted my nails.”

Anna’s are clearly painted and for me, well, it was a phase a long time ago. We both take a drink. Anna’s turn again.

“Never have I ever wanted to kiss someone in this room.”

What the actual fuck!I turn on her, furious.

“What are you playing at, Anna?” I hiss.

She just looks at me calmly.

“Go after him.” I haven’t even realised that Jackson is no longer there.

CHAPTER 23

Jackson

HaveI really got it wrong? Well, at least I haven’t made a move and been rejected.I’d had an inkling where Anna was going with this after her last question, but I wanted to show Luca that I was game. Now I just feel stupid. Luca comes barrelling into the kitchen.

“Sorry, Anna can be a bitch sometimes. She goes too far.” He comes to a halt before me. I take in his slim figure, his dark lashes, and those goddamn lips.

No, I’m going to give up that easily.

“You didn’t drink.”

His face twists in confusion. “What?”

“Anna’s question—you didn’t drink.” I can see the thought dawning on him.

“You didn’t drink,” he replies. It’s a fair enough statement. It deserves a reply.

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