The Last Autograph (A Reluctant Kiss #3)

Chapter 26

26

Jake sat on the sand, the top half of his wetsuit bunched around his waist, eating a sandwich from Todd’s packed lunch and staring out over the bay.

He still wasn’t sure why he hadn’t canceled. He should have been at home with Molly, enjoying their day off as they lazed in front of the fire.

Instead, he’d been in the water, freezing his nuts off as he surfed a swell that, due to its size and ferocity, he really wasn’t comfortable with.

Todd returned from the truck with two apples and dropped onto the sand beside him. He handed one to Jake, who took a bite.

“Want to tell me what’s going on?” Todd asked. “You’re not the best company at the moment, mate.”

Jake breathed deeply. “I guess things are finally catching up with me.”

“Grief. Just when you think you’re getting on top of it, back it comes for another round.”

They sat in silence for a while, eating their apples and watching the other surfers take their turn in the lineup. Jake didn’t like to talk about his feelings much, but Todd had a way of drawing stuff out of him.

“And what about Molly?”

“What about her?”

“You like her, yeah?”

Jake nodded. “I do, but…”

“You feel disloyal to Jesse?”

“Sometimes. I swing between bravado and remorse and can’t seem to settle in between.”

“I get that. But life is for the living, man. I’m not trying to disrespect Jesse’s involvement here, but have you asked her how she felt about him?”

“Yes. She referred to it as an infatuation. But they were young, with no ties, so… Still, it’s not only that. All this stuff with Mum is doing my head in.”

Todd tossed his core into the cooler. “I’ve never known you to let your mother interfere in your love life in the past. Why start now?”

“Believe me, I ask myself that question every other day. She’d pinned a lot of her hopes and dreams on Jesse, and now that he’s gone, she’s lost that. And that’s no reflection on our relationship, but I missed out on that pressure to a certain extent by leaving for Europe when I did.”

“Do you think she’s genuine? Molly, I mean.”

He hesitated. “Yes. But am I? That’s what I keep asking myself.”

Jake felt the weight of Todd’s stare. As a rule, the guy wasn’t one to judge harshly, but he still liked to offer his opinion. “You were pretty hard on her at the bake-off, you know that, don’t you?”

“Does that mean I won’t be asked back?” As Jake stood and picked up his towel, Todd chuckled.

“And what about Ava? Have you heard from her lately?”

“Not much,” Jake replied. “A few brief texts.”

“You were together three years. It’s okay to miss her too.”

Jake mulled over his friend’s words. He had missed her; of course he had. Their worlds had been entangled for a long time, and at first, he’d struggled to let her go. Not that it was up to him. That decision was all Ava’s, and he had no choice but to accept it. “Anyway, I’m freakin’ freezing. Shall we go?”

“Yep.” Todd pushed to his feet and brushed the sand from his butt. “Does Molly know about her?”

“Yeah, I told her. Not in any detail, but… Anyway, I’m heading back to France next week to sort out my stuff. Dad’s going to keep an eye on the patisserie, and Ari’s more than capable.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“Depends. Two or three weeks.”

“Ever think about going back for good?”

“Not for good, but…” Jake paused. He’d planned on discussing the recent offer he’d received with Todd, but not until after his trip. “My old boss wants me to go to London next year to help set up a patisserie.”

“Yeah? And you’re keen?”

“Maybe. It would only be for twelve months.”

“That’s doable. I know a guy who’d manage your place in a heartbeat.”

“Thanks. Good to know.”

Todd glanced his way. “Just to change the subject, have you ever considered counseling?”

Jake stilled. “Yeah, I’ve thought about it.”

“It might help, that’s all I’m saying.”

Jake raked his hair back from his forehead. He’d contemplated talking to a professional a few times but had never taken that step. And as the weeks sped by, it all just seemed too exhausting.

He heaved his board under one arm and lifted Todd’s cooler in the other hand. “Thanks for the lunch. Tell Maia she makes the best sandwiches ever.”

“Will do. But think about what I said, yeah? And don’t be a stranger.”

“Of course not.”

“And if things get you down and your mind won’t shut the hell up, just remember—life always looks a whole lot better in the morning.”

Jake chuckled. “You think?”

“It’s a universal truth.”