Page 3 of Finding Jacob
“No, I forgot, and I haven’t had time anyway.”
“Who’s Jacob,” Nathan asked.
“No one,” I said.
“A fake boyfriend she needs,” said Dory at the same time. I punched her in the arm.
Nathan looked in the rear-view mirror and frowned at me. I raised my eyebrows in challenge, daring him not to ask more. Of course, I lost.
“You need a fake boyfriend called Jacob?” he asked.
“Her sister is getting married toyou know who, and they invited Anna.” Dory had a big mouth and I wanted to clamp my hand over it.
“Awkward. Yes, I’d want a fake boyfriend called Jacob in that situation.”
“You could do it,” Dory suggested.
“You know whoknows me, so no. But I might have someone who could help,” Nathan said, and then tapped the side of his nose.
I had no idea what Nathan did in hisprevious life,as he called it, but he knew everyone. He didn’t need to drive me around, or model, he did those things so as not to end up sitting in his plush London apartment bored, so he’d tell me. Dory and I had made up a life for him, he was a thug, an enforcer, a cage fighter, an illegal bare-knuckle boxer, a gangster, all sorts. We told him that, of course, and he’d laugh or smirk depending how close we were to the truth. He had a broken nose and a scar across one eyebrow that added to his attraction. He was a very good-looking man, a single man I’d have dated had the opportunity arose, without a shadow of a doubt, before we became good friends. He was honest, fun, and loyal. Women threw themselves at him, but he wasn’t interested in a relationship. I knew why, everyone else thought he was hankering after me.
Years ago, Nathan had lost his testicles to cancer. He confided in me that he felt likehalf a man. He could fuck, but he’d never father a child and for that reason he never settled down with anyone. It was a shame. I knew plenty of women, myself included, who had no intention of being mothers through choice. Still, if he said he knew a Jacob, then I’d trust him.
We arrived at the airport and met the rest of the team at check-in. I was proud of my models, I didn’t allow bad behaviour, no matter how famous they became, and I’d only had a problem that was growing with one, Jules, although she wasn’t on this assignment. We checked in and took a seat in the lounge until our plane was ready. We normally flew first class on a commercial airliner, but the designer was very specific in wanting these models and they commanded a higher fee, although I always paid for Dory and myself. Not that she couldn’t have afforded the fare, of course.
We also had only three days to get in and get back out again. Angie was booked for a photo shoot in Africa, and I had a television appearance.
Once called for, we settled into our seats on the plane, and I spread some paperwork on the small table in front of me. Before we headed to the runway, I received a text message.
Call this number, he’s expecting you to. Ask forJacobha ha
It was from Nathan and contained an overseas mobile number. I sighed and shook my head. It was just like Nathan to put me in a position where I couldn’t back out. This guy would be expecting my call. However, the more I thought about it, the more tempting it was. A successful American businessman, because that’s whomyJacob would be, would drive Harry nuts.
I settled down to work as we taxied off and smiled to myself.
From the minute we landed, it was chaos. We had to get across the city to the designer for fittings, my assistant had to charge around NYC meeting potential models, Dory and I had a couple of hours to spare only. I decided to call the number. It was answered after a couple of rings.
“Hello, Anna,” he said in velvety tones that immediately hit my core.
“Oh, I wasn’t expecting you to know who was calling.”
His laugh had me widening my eyes at Dory and mouthing,Fuck meat her. She leaned in close to hear.
“Nathan prepared me. I’ve been expecting your call and I know your time is short, so I won’t take long. Would you like to meet for dinner this evening and we can discuss your requirements?”
Dory was nodding her head frantically. “Erm, I’m…” She was trying to snatch the phone from my hands. “Yes, thank you. Although it might be a late dinner.”
“That’s fine. How about I message you the details?”
“Yes, please.” I felt like a bloody teenager arranging a first date.
“Great. I’ll see you this evening.”
He clicked off the call.
“Oh my fucking Lord,” Dory said.
“I know, right? That voice!”
