Page 59 of Loss and Damages
Can I reach a compromise between Jemma and my father?
I go to work doing cost analysis and return on investment calculations. Hours slip by and when I check the time, I notice Jemma didn’t answer the text I sent her this morning. Without a doubt I know that’s her number. Duncan never makes a mistake.
It wouldn’t be like her to go all female on me and be angry I left her cottage after we made love. She seemed...less high-maintenance than that, but maybe I hurt her feelings.
I text her again and ask if she wants to spend the evening with me in the city, and if she does, I could send a car to pick her up. She closes her shop soon and we could eat a late dinner in bed and I’d bring her home in the morning.
My mouth waters, thinking about dinner and having her for dessert, but my phone chimes and she texts back, destroying my hopes.I already have plans tonight but thank you for the invitation. Have a nice night.
No mention of when we’ll see each other again, doesn’t ask me to drive out to Hollow Lake tomorrow night. Not being invited hasn’t stopped me from doing anything, but what Jemma and I have is new to me. I want something real, maybe something permanent. A woman has never intrigued me as much as she does, and I’ve never cared what a woman thought of me or how I ran my business before I met her. She’s doing something to my heart and I want it to continue as much as I want it to stop.
I don’t beg. I’ve never begged and never will, and I reply,You as well, and leave it at that.
We never talked about exclusivity. I never asked her to clarify what she meant as she perched on her counter, my shirt clenched in her tiny fists. She’d never walk away. From our friendship? Or from what we’re starting?
She could have a date, and I grit my teeth and fight against the anger I feel. She can date. Leo kept her from exploring, from finding someone who wanted more than he did. I promised I wouldn’t do the same, and she probably has plans to go out for the evening, dinner with the owner of the Hollow Lake Café or maybe drinks with the manager of the bar and grill where we ate.
Jemma wouldn’t do that after sleeping with me.
No, I correct myself, she wouldn’t have done that if I’d spent the night, woken up beside her, and we’d made lazy love as the sun came up.
I do something I have never done before. I text her again.Do you have a date?
My phone rings, and her name and number glow on the black screen. I accept the call.
“Are you okay? I saw the news.”
“That doesn’t have anything to do with if you’re seeing someone,” I say, leaning back in my chair and staring at her headshot.
“No, it doesn’t, but you didn’t sound like yourself over text, and I wanted to hear your voice.”
“You mean vulnerable and jealous?”
“It’s okay to be vulnerable, Dominic.”
“For some people, but not for me. My father doesn’t allow it. You didn’t answer my question.”
A door closes and keys jingle in the background. She’s locking up her gallery.
“I won’t hurt you. You can let your guard down around me.” There’s a shuffling noise coming through the phone, and I picture her walking across the grass to her cottage, the hem of another sundress floating around the tops of her knees, her dark hair gleaming in the evening sun.
“I thought I had, asking if you’re going on a date later. You know, I’ve never cared enough to ask before.”
She laughs, and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve heard all day. “So you did. I’m not going on a date. I have...a family matter to attend to tonight.”
“Is everything all right? Do you need money?”
She sucks in a breath and I stiffen, preparing for a tongue-lashing. Jemma isn’t one to ask for a handout and I expect her to tell me so in no uncertain terms, but I have yet to come across a problem that a few thousand dollars couldn’t solve and I’d do anything if it meant her life was easier. That means providing for her family as well.
“No, I don’t need money, but thank you for offering. It means a lot you’re willing to take care of me and my family that way.”
I relax. I should have known Jemma would understand my intent.
“I need to speak with someone, that’s all. You have a lot going on now that the sale went through, and I saw the bomb threat on the news. I don’t know where you are, but please be careful. I’ll understand if you won’t have time to see me for a while.”
What she says makes sense but it’s the last thing I want to hear. “This isn’t the first bomb threat we’ve had. I’m in a safe place, don’t worry. This weekend, let me take you out. We can spend the night at a hotel, and we’ll wake up early enough you’ll have plenty of time to open your gallery. I want to see you, Jemma, and I don’t want you dating anyone else.”
“Back to that, are we?”
