Page 50 of An Unholy Affair
‘You’ve seen a mirror, haven’t you?’
‘Fiddlesticks. You’re incredibly talented.’
‘Fiddlesticks?’ He grinned, attempting to deflect her praise. ‘Who evensaysthat?’
She drew herself up. ‘Ido.’
They stared at each other. The mood shifted. He stepped back.
‘Jack?’
‘Hmm?’
‘Do you think you might be able to help us out with the mural over the next few weeks? I know it’s a lot to ask with everything else you’ve got to do, so please say no if you don’t have time.’
He paused. ‘I’ll do it under one condition.’
She gazed nervously at him. ‘What?’
‘You let me buy you a new back door.’
11
‘Can you please explain to me again how a condition of you helping me is that you help me some more?’ Eveline asked Jack as they walked briskly through the town towards Foxbrooke Haven the next day.
A biting wind whipped around them.
‘And are you sure you’re not cold?’ She peered at him. Even with the tan, he looked pale. ‘Do you want to wear my bobble hat? I really don’t need it. I’ve got plenty of layers on.’
Jack smiled. ‘Which question do you want me to answer first?’
‘Do you want my hat?’
He shook his head. ‘I’m good, thanks.’
His shoulders were hunched, and his hands buried inside his jacket pockets.
‘You look like you’re freezing.’
He gave a shiver. ‘I’m used to the south of France. Is it much further?’
Stopping, she unwound her long red scarf and held it out. ‘Please, Jack. The collar of my coat comes up to my chin.’
His gaze flicked to the scarf, but he still shook his head.
‘Well, I’m afraid it is a condition of us going any further that you wear it.’
He gave her a look. ‘I thoughtIwas the one with all the conditions?’
She grinned. ‘You are, and obstinacy and hypothermia are two of them.’
Before he could reply, she wound the scarf around the back of his head with her unbandaged hand. Suddenly, he was close.Veryclose. She stared at the flecks of gold in his irises, surrounding the fathomless black of his pupils.
Breaking her gaze, he moved away, then gestured up the street. ‘This way?’
Flustered, she nodded and set off, noticing he’d increased the distance between them.
God, you’ve sent Jack to me twice now, and the connection we have is beyond anything I could ever have dreamt possible. He told me he doesn’t have a girlfriend, and I believe him. So why does he keep withdrawing? I really don’t think I’m being arrogant or immodest to say he likes me. What am I doing wrong?
