Page 59 of Another Lucky Number

‘You were hiding from them? Why was that?’

‘Because they were horribly overbearing. Still are – they treat me like I’m eight years old and incapable of making my own decisions. They’re not bad people or anything,’ I quickly add to stop him drawing the wrong conclusions. ‘They’re just too much. Think it’s partly because I’m an only child.’

‘Sounds plausible.’

‘Anyway, Lottie was a recluse. She’d lost her granddaughter and daughter in a short space of time: cancer then suicide.’

‘Oof.’ James winces. ‘I’m so sorry to hear that. It would be enough to make anyone lose faith in the world.’

‘Totally. And she did. She had shut herself away and was resistant to the idea of having anything to do with me at first, but I wore her down.’

‘LikeIworeyoudown?’ He waggles his eyebrows humorously.

‘Ha, yeah, maybe.’ I laugh. ‘You were much more respectful though. You knew when to back off. I kind of forced my way into Lottie’s life, with no thought for how she felt.’

‘You were a kid. You didn’t know any better. And it was probably the best thing that could have happened to her.’

‘It was. And now she has your parents as friends too.’

‘And me.’

‘Yes, and you. She seems fond of you already. Don’t you go breaking her heart, or I’ll have to deal with you.’

‘Are we still talking about Lottie now? Or you?’ James grins, running a hand through his hair while my eyes follow this movement.

‘Maybe a bit of both.’ I nibble my bottom lip, uneasy with showing my vulnerability.

He reaches for my hand and pulls me towards him, the movement made smoother by the water. Once I’m close enough, he slips his arms around my waist and pulls me into him, kissing me gently at first, then more passionately as I relaxinto him. The water and the feeling of my bare flesh against his heightens my senses, making every touch more intense until I’m fizzing with arousal – and ready to drag him back to my suite for some proper action.

Eventually, we pull apart – slightly breathless – and smile shyly at each other, which makes me wonder if he’s had the exact same thought as me.

‘Shall we rejoin the others?’ I suggest, not really wanting to but feeling like we should.

‘In a bit. I want to hear more about your job interview. It sounds like a great opportunity.’

‘It is. It’s like it’s the job I’ve been dreaming of that I never knew existed – if that makes any sense at all?’

‘I get what you mean.’ James nods.

I fill him in on how the opportunity came about, how my professional experience to date aligns with the role to a certain extent, how Amber oversold me and what’s been requested of me for the interview.

‘How are you feeling about the presentation?’ he asks. ‘That’s always the toughest part.’

‘Tell me about it.’ I grit my teeth. ‘I’m dreading that part most. I think I’ve got a good angle for it though, which I’m hoping I can pull off.’

‘Great stuff. Talk me through it then.’

I hesitate. I wasn’t expecting this request and I’m not sure I want to get into it with him.

‘Um… would you mind if I didn’t? It might sound odd after the stunt Amber pulled, but I’d rather stick to my prep with her and Cat so I stay as focused as possible and don’t get sidetracked by differing opinions. They’ve put a lot into doing this for me.’ I search James’s face to gauge his reaction. The last thing I want is to start off on a bad footing.

‘Hey, it’s no problem.’ He tickles me under my chin affectionately. ‘You do what you needto do. From what you tell me, it sounds like you’ve a good chance at the job. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of that. You might be punching a bit, as you say, but we all need to take a step into the unknown if we want to realise our potential.’

‘You sound like you’re quoting from a self-help book.’

‘Is it not true?’

‘It is.’ I straighten my face and clear my throat. ‘You’re right. That’s how I’ve been feeling for ages – like I need a proper chance to prove myself.’

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