Page 33 of Chasing Blue
Jack Cole is never going to change. He was surrounded by ‘other woman’drama back in Palmers Bay. He was with Eden on and off for years, but there were always cheating rumours surrounding them. I should never have gotten involved with him back then, but I was young and stupid, and he was hot. Still is, very much so. With that stubble-covered jaw, those plump lips, green eyes, and dark brown hair that I know lightens in summer to a sun-kissed gold, he just has something going on in every department. He’s aged amazingly well, time possibly improving on his model good looks.
But I no longer have the excuse of age, immaturity, or inexperience. After everything I went through after my last, very short relationship with him, there’s not a single reason I should consider anything other than a working relationship with him right now.
A shiver rolls through me at the thought of past events. I shut them down but am left still feeling cold as I stare out the window and watch Jack walk Jules to her car, which of course, is a Mercedes CLK, precisely what I would expect her to drive. The lights flash as it unlocks, he opens the driver’s side door, and she wraps her arms around his neck. His hands slide to her waist as he looks down at her and says something. I should look away, but I can’t. She laughs, right before standing up on her tiptoes and kissing him. My skin prickles with hurt as I watch them, but I still can’t look away.
I’m unsure if it takes him a moment to react or if I wish for that to be so.
Even when it’s over, when Jack pulls away first, when he takes a step back, that moment her lips met his replays in my head. The image burned eternally on my memory as I’m left wondering how that deflated heart of mine is still managing to beat strong enough to keep me alive.
CHAPTER8
Jack.
“What’s going on?”Julia asks as soon as Scarlett leaves us alone.
I hate myself right now. Did I mention I’m reallynota dick, and definitelynota fuck boy? Well, usually this is true. Right now though, I feel like a massive both.
Scarlett probably thinks the same, and the hurt I see in Julia’s eyes lets me know all I need to about how I’ve madeherfeel this week.
I’m not a kid, and I have no excuse as to why I’ve mishandled this situation. Fuck me, I’ve pulled my own seventeen-year-old son up for treating girls better than the way I’ve treated these two women. I’m a grown man who needs to sort his shit out.
Scarlett’s reappearance has me all twisted up, and Jules, yeah, she can be pushy, but she’s not abadperson. She’s just notmyperson. I knew it weeks ago, and I should’ve done something then. It’s not that Idon’twant to be with her, I like her, but she’s caught feelings that I haven’t, and I’m not ready or willing to be railroaded into a direction I don’t want to take.
If I was in any doubt at all about that, it ended when I felt that jolt to my heart and my dick the moment I laid eyes on Scarlett O’Brien for the first time in eighteen years.
“Can we meet tomorrow night?” I ask Jules. “I’ve got a lot of shit going on, and it’s not fair . . . The way I’ve treated you this week, it’s not on, and we need to talk about that. Let’s grab dinner tomorrow night, and we’ll talk.”
The instant Jules smiles at me, I know I’ve given her false hope, but I couldn’t end things with her here, not right now, with Scarlett in the next room.
Even so, I could’ve said I’d meet her at her place later and called things off between us there. Why the fuck I’ve suggested dinner, I’ve no idea. Guilt maybe? I owe her one last dinner at least. She’s done nothing wrong. This is all on me, so dinner is the least I can do.
“I can’t do tomorrow; I have a family thing. You can come with me to that if you like?”
Fuck!
“Tonight then? We won’t be able to talk at a family thing. Let’s grab dinner tonight.”
Her smile gets bigger as she mistakes my eagerness for something it’s so very not.
“Okay. I’ve got a private viewing in about an hour. It’s the third time they’ve been back, and I’ve a feeling they’re about to put in an offer, so I’ll probably have some negotiating to do, possibly some paperwork. Shall we say eight for a late dinner?”
“Works for me, I’ve still got shit to do here.”
I notice Jules has moved closer as we’ve been speaking, so I move to the other side of the bar and pretend to be looking at the tap fitting on one of the newly connected sinks.
When I look up, she’s eyeing Scarlett’s work spread all over the bar, with a frown.
“Plush velvet, in a beach bar? Is that what she’s suggesting.”
“Huh, yeah. That’s for the seating in the restaurant. I love the idea, especially those colours.” I keep the edge out of my voice while feeling defensive about Scarlett’s concept.
“Not something I would’ve suggested, still, Ilahi have won a few awards lately, and I’ve appraised a couple of places they’ve dressed for sale. They seem to know their stuff.”
I need to get her out of here before Scarlett comes back and Jules says this shit to her. Scar can be a fiery little thing, and I don’t think it’d go well for Jules if it went off between them.
“Lemme walk you to your car,” I suggest. Moving back around the bar and towards the door as I speak, not waiting on her response.
“Where’d you fancy eating later?” I ask, holding the door open.
