Page 43 of Just Like That

He reaches across the table and for a heart-stopping moment I think he’s going to take my hand, but then his line of sight shifts. Instead, he picks up the napkin my drink was previously sitting on – I’m guessing to stop it blowing away in the breeze.

‘I’m fine,’ I reply, feeling disappointed and rejected even though I have no justifiable reason for this. ‘Just had an unpleasant thought. Nothing to be concerned about.’

‘OK, if you’re sure. I’m always here if you need someone to talk to. Oscar the Grouch might not seem the most natural person to share your worries with, but he’s a good listener.’

He points a finger to his chest and I melt a little at the sweetness of this gesture, which further adds to my disappointment that I misread his signals before.

‘Seriously though, I mean it,’ he continues. ‘Though I don’t really do people, the guys here – Gwen, Serge, Lauren, Monika, Hakeem – they’re like family. While you’re here, you’ll be considered a foster member of that family, no matter how much you try and distance yourself from us.’

‘I don’t try to—’

‘Yes, you do. Don’t try and pull that one with me, Jess. You’re like “Ms Career Woman of the Year”, all professional and maintaining boundaries – apart from when we’re sparring like brother and sister, that is.’

There is it again. Nick’s clear signalling – whether conscious or not – that he doesn’t see me as anything more than a slightly annoying but loveable sibling. Well, that’s probably for the best, I tell the side of me that’s continually disappointed by this. It wouldn’t have been a good idea to get involved with one of my client’s management team anyway.

Chapter 19

After my date-that-wasn’t-a-date with Nick, I seek out Lauren and let her know I’m heading off. I’ve pre-agreed with her that I have to leave the event slightly early, which she’s fine with. She’s also absolutely buzzing at how well the pilot has gone.

‘I can’t believe how smoothly everything went.’ She’s practically jumping up and down on the spot. ‘Jess, this has been a triumph.’

‘It sure has.’ I’m delighted to see her feeling so positive. ‘You should feel very proud.’

‘I do, but I’m also so grateful to you for this. For all your help and guidance and for coming up with this idea.’

‘I didn’t come up with this idea. Hakeem did – and then you brought it to life, which is the most important part.’

‘Do you really think I’m that daft?’ Lauren gives me a sly smile. ‘Remember that I study behavioural science. You knew exactly what kind of events you wanted us to put on. You deliberately set us up with the right environment so we’d land on the ideas you wanted us to and think we’d come up with them ourselves.’

‘No, that’s not…’ I start to deny Lauren’s allegation, then spot the look on her face and hold my hands up in surrender. ‘OK, you’ve got me. But I stand by my statement that you brought this event to life. I would never have thought of the whole “animal personality type” thing, nor would I have thought we’d have the capability to do it to such a professional standard.’

‘Well, I guess I can take some credit then.’

‘Most of the credit.’ I emphasise these words as I say them.

‘Aww, thanks.’ She seems pleased by this. ‘How did your date with Nick go, by the way?’

‘It wasn’t a date, remember? It was me doing you a favour to make up numbers.’

‘Obviously.’ Lauren has a twinkle in her eye. ‘Anyway, how did it go?’

‘Why aren’t you asking me that about my other two “dates”?’ I eye her suspiciously.

‘Because neither of them were with the hot-but-growly head keeper of this place. Come on, give me some juice. You guys are off the scale compatibility wise.’

‘So you said – which makes me question whether your personality assessment deserves an A+ after all.’

‘You can’t argue with the experts. I had a professor look over it.’

‘Hmm…’ I’m unconvinced by this. ‘Then to answer your question, it was fine.’

‘Just fine?’ she asks with an impish grin.

‘Yes. We used the opportunity to get to know each other better to improve our working relationship.’

‘Yeah, whatever. But was there a spark? I can totally feel the chemistry between you when you’re butting heads. You’re like a couple of horny hyenas.’

‘Lauren.’ I warn her to lower her voice and she at least obliges.

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