Page 66 of Long Story Short

I had a sip of my wine as I considered that. ‘I don’t know. I want him to think well of me, I guess. We seemed so close for a while. I don’t like the idea of not seeing him ever again but if I leave Hayley, when will I?’

‘You could reach out and tell him about what’s happened…’

‘I have enough to worry about with telling Hayley. No, Jake and I are in the past. I need to look to the future now.’

Liv looked a little bit sad but she raised her wine glass. ‘And it will be a great future, I have no doubt. Here’s to your new opportunity.’ We clinked our glasses and both had a sip. I did feel a lot better now I’d spoken to Liv and she didn’t seem to think this was a crazy idea. She was encouraging. And my gut was telling me to go for it. Now I would have to talk to Hayley.

I hoped I’d make it through doing that in one piece.

* * *

After not sleeping and putting my dress on back to front, I eventually stumbled out of my flat and got the Tube to work. I had a large coffee on the way to wake up but that made my nerves about seeing Hayley double. I was a jittery wreck by the time I turned into the road where our building was. I was half-inclined to call in sick and try this another day but I had emailed Simon last night and told him I wanted to take him up on the job offer, and he’d been delighted and told me to let him know as soon as I had spoken to Hayley. I couldn’t chicken out now, as much as I really wanted to.

Walking towards the building, I saw a man heading towards the doors and when I got closer, I recognised who it was. I paused on the pavement, hoping he hadn’t seen me. But as he went to open the door, he looked my way and froze also.

‘Freya,’ Jake said, letting go of the door. He turned and waited so I reluctantly walked towards him.

Jake looked nothing like his usual cool, composed self I realised as soon as we faced each other, just a couple of feet between us. His facial hair was unkempt today like he needed to shave, there were circles under his eyes and his skin looked pale despite the warm week we were having. His shirt had a button undone and the laces on his shoes were untied. I felt a weird urge to hug him. It looked like he needed one in the same way I did. My body seemed to want to lean into his, although I made sure it didn’t.

‘Hi, Jake,’ I said softly, wishing he would smile at me and look at me like I was the only woman for him like he had done before. But there was no smile or softness to him this morning. He looked on edge and almost angry. Back to the intimidating man he had been before that electric kiss we’d had against my hotel-room door.

‘I had an interesting chat last night with Davis Mulberry,’ he said coldly. ‘You didn’t think I deserved to know that not only are you working with that twat now, but clearly, it’s been him you were after all along? And now you’ve got your happy ever after finally!’

I stared at him dumbfounded. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Davis was Freya this, and Freya that, singing your praises, saying he wants to end our feud, that I inspired his latest book and he was wrong all along about romance. He’s now in love and going to dedicate his book to the woman of his dreams…’ Jake ran a shaky hand through his hair. ‘So, we didn’t mean anything to you? Now you’re with Davis, and I’m supposed to be pleased for you both?’

I was thoroughly confused. ‘Davis told you we’re together and he’s going to dedicate the book to me?’ I had to check in case Davis had actually turned out to be a worse man than I’d ever thought he could be.

Jake stared at me then shook his head. ‘He was after you the whole time in New York! Of course it’s you that he was talking about.’

‘It’s not,’ I said quietly. ‘Davis was just trying to wind you up in New York. He was never really interested in me. I’ve told him he’s arrogant and annoying, and he needs to sort himself out. I’ve been offered a job by his agent and I’ll be working with him, but there has never been, or ever will be, anything between us outside of work. Davis has a girlfriend who he loves and will be dedicating the book to. I told him that the two of you need to sort things out as you’ve both almost ruined your careers over your feud.’

I moved around him and went to the door, grabbing it then glancing back at his surprised and confused expression.

‘Jake, whatever you think, you need to know that I had a great time in New York with you. I really liked you and I hoped that maybe we were starting… something. I know now you didn’t feel the same but don’t make me out to be someone I’m not. I only had eyes for you.’ I hoped my voice hadn’t wobbled but I thought it probably had.

Jake stared at me. He was silent and his expression unreadable. I longed to know what he was thinking. Had he wanted me as much as I had wanted him?

When he still didn’t respond, I decided that was my answer.

I looked away from those piercing eyes of his and tried not to show how disappointed I was. ‘I hope you will make peace with Davis. Now, I need to talk to Hayley about the job offer I’ve had, and I’m frankly terrified.’

45

I yanked open the door and hurried through it, towards the lift, my heart pounding from being honest with Jake. It was one thing telling him what I thought on a work front, but opening my heart was a whole other level of honesty and vulnerability. It wasn’t easy but I felt better for having done it. Now Jake knew I had really liked him.

Maybe what happened between us was a good thing. I had been so worried I’d never have anything close to feelings like the characters had in my favourite books, but Jake had shown me that it was possible to have a strong attraction and pull towards someone, to have amazing sex and to feel like the two of you were the only people in the world when you were together.

Luckily, Jake didn’t follow me so I got into the lift and the doors closed. I leaned against the wall with a sigh. I didn’t need that stressful interaction on top of having to deal with Hayley. I straightened up as the lift reached the fifth floor and told myself if I could tell Jake how I felt, I could definitely tell Hayley. Taking a deep breath as the doors opened, I walked through, shoulders straight and head high.

‘You look like you’re on a mission!’ Ellen called out from behind her desk.

‘I am,’ I said, not slowing down to chat in case my resolve cracked. She stared after me curiously as I went to my desk to dump my things then went straight to Hayley’s office, knocking on the open door to make my presence known.

Hayley was at her desk, typing on her phone. She waved me in without looking up as she carried on typing, her long fake nails making a tippy-tappy sound on it. I didn’t sit down opposite the desk though in my usual chair. It felt like I might have the slightest chance at not chickening out if I remained standing. Plus, this way, I actually appeared taller than her too. I kept my hands behind my back so she couldn’t see me wringing them with nerves.

Finally, she put her phone down on the desk and rolled her eyes. ‘All my sister wants to talk about is her wedding,’ she said. ‘She keeps on about me leaving early to go to New York but I was there to see her get married. And she’s sent me about five hundred photos and videos. It’s ridiculous.’

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