Page 25 of Wilder at Heart
‘And the work is fascinating. It’s an interesting time to be getting stuck into the hotel industry, but hopefully things will continue to improve.’
‘So you’re glad you made the leap in-house?’
Jonathan’s always been ambitious. He had his sights set on the career path at Deloitte’s at one time, but he got restless, tired of giving advice to other people instead of managing businesses himself. He’s smart. Commercial. I knew going in-house to a large company would be a great move for him. Holding his handwhile he contemplated jumping ship on Deloitte’s was one of the last things I was able to do for him before he jumped ship on me.
‘Very glad. I knew it was the right call to make.’
Er, no, he didn’t, actually. He hummed and hawed for months while I waited for him to come to the conclusion I knew all along was right for him.
‘That’s great. I’m happy for you.’ I clear my throat. ‘So, are you here alone tonight?’
‘Yeah.’ He takes a swig of what I assume is a G&T. ‘I thought it would be more professional if I came on my own.’
Isn’t that fascinating? He always used to bring me along to Deloitte events. He joked that having me with him made him look smarter. But it doesn’t come as a remote surprise that that’s not what he considers Lucy’s main—ahem—asset to be.
‘Makes sense.’ Who am I to argue with that logic?
‘So.’ He frowns. ‘You’re with… er… Montague?’ He jerks his head in the direction behind me.
I cross my arms. ‘Yep. I am.’
‘Miles mentioned he’d seen you at a family lunch.’
Did he, now? Who knew Miles would prove so useful a grapevine?
I smile innocently. ‘It was so lovely. My first time meeting Charles and Laura. They were all so welcoming.’
Jonathan takes a long swallow of his drink, his eyes not leaving mine. I’ve always loved his eyes. Blue. Open. Blonde-lashed.
‘I saw him mauling you at the engagement party, but I didn’t expect you to give him the time of day, to be honest.’
‘Why not?’ I open my eyes wide. ‘Some people would argue he’s quite a catch.’
‘Come on, Nor. Lucy filled me in on what he did live on camera, taking those twins off to bed. He sounds like a right dirty bastard. He’s not your type.’
There’s a righteous anger warming my veins. This is good. It’s what I need. I need to be angry with Jonathan. There are so many things I want to say to him right now, and it’s so tempting to spit them out.
At least he didn’t dump me for someone who looks—and acts—like a blow-up doll.
At least he can give as good as he gets. He doesn’t sit there and take it when I boss him around. Maybe I like a guy taking control for once.
I stayed with you far too long and played it far too safe. Don’t you think I could use a good seeing-to from a dirty bastard?
Okay, so I don’t mean the last one. I loved being with Jonathan. I would have stayed with him forever, for Chrissakes. I still would. But tempting though it is to say something cutting, it wouldn’t be worth it. Because he’d know I was hurting then. And what little I know of men tells me I’ll be far more attractive in his eyes if I look like I’ve moved on from him. I really wish guys weren’t so infantile when it comes to game-playing. But I can’t change nature.
So I smile an amused, humouring smile and make my voice cool. Calm.
‘Theo’s been a total sweetie, actually, and he’s very attentive. I think everyone deserves to be judged on their merits, don’t you?’
As if my fake boyfriend’s performance couldn’t get any better, I simultaneously register Jonathan’s increased scowl at something over my shoulder and a hand sliding around my waist, seconds before a wall of heat and muscle hits me from behind. Theo nuzzles his nose, mouth and stubble into my neck and inhales, hard, before whispering loudly enough for Jonathan to hear.
‘You smell fucking incredible. And this dress is killing me, babe.’
Moments like this are almost worth having been dumped for. I’m hyper aware of Jonathan’s gaze sliding down to my waist, and of the warmth of Theo’s fingers there as I cover his hand with mine and interlock our fingers. That Theo has my back, quite literally, gives me the mental strength I need to draw myself up and throw Jonathan a friendly but unemotional grin as I incline my jaw closer to Theo’s hovering mouth.
‘We should go say hi to your dad, honey.’
CHAPTER 9
