Chapter 23
This was the opportunity Teddy had been waiting for. Kylee was standing with her back to him, one hand stirring a cup of tea, her gaze directed at the window into the car park behind the surgery.
With last night’s conversation with Rafferty fresh in his mind, Teddy cleared his throat. “Morning.”
“Hey,” Kylee said quietly. Then she sniffed.
“Is everything okay?” Teddy asked.
She nodded but didn’t say anything else.
“Are you sure?” Because she didn’t seem fine. She seemed sad and defeated.
Her shoulders rose as she sighed. “You’ll be happy to know that Adrian and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“Oh.”
Her teaspoon clattered into the sink, and she spun around. Her eyes were red rimmed, her nose and cheeks the colour of tomatoes. “Aren’t you going to say it?”
“Say what?”
Although, Teddy suspected he knew what Kylee was getting at.
“That you told me so? That you’d warned me so many times?” She sniffed again and pulled a piece of kitchen cloth off the spool to use as a tissue. “That it turns out everyone else was right and I was being dumb? Trying to give someone a fresh chance they didn’t deserve?”
“Kylee—”
“But it didn’t matter anyway because once he’d had his fun, he threw me away. Like everyone else always has.” Her eyes flashed with challenge.
“I—”
“I don’t want to hear it, Teddy. You might not have made me any promises that night we shared in Cairns, but you were the anomaly.”
“I’m sorry.” And even though Kylee was infinitely better off without Adrian, Teddy did feel for her. Now he had a better understanding of what things could really be like with someone you cared for, he couldn’t begrudge anyone for wanting the same thing.
It didn’t matter that he had no idea if Jessica would ever consider actually dating him.
This wasn’t about them.
“Sorry for what?” Kylee asked, not giving him a chance to respond. “Your species? You should be. Men are the worst. I’m so done with them. Ugh.” She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and dropped into one of the chairs.
“Did Adrian say why …” Teddy hated to ask, but he had to. Just in case there was anything that would be useful to Raff.
“He’s ‘reconsidered’ our potential, and apparently, we’re not a match.” She dropped her head into her hands. “He’d been off ever since last week when he was here for lunch.”
The timing was certainly interesting. Not that it helped Kylee.
“I am sorry, Kylee.”
She scoffed. “Sure.”
Teddy slipped into the seat opposite her. “You know what I think about Adrian, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be sorry that you’ve been hurt. I wish that hadn’t happened.”
Dr Nolan chose that moment to enter the tearoom, and his eyes widened when he noticed Kylee’s tears.
“I’d better get back to the front desk,” she muttered, wiping her eyes.
Dr Nolan waited until she’d left to turn towards Teddy.
“She and Adrian aren’t together anymore,” Teddy said.
“Ah. Well done, Teddy. You finally got her to see sense. How would you feel about taking over for a few weeks while I’m away next year? I’ve seen how hard you’ve been working lately. And now, with this, I know you’re up to the task.”
This should’ve been good news.
But it wasn’t.
Teddy didn’t deserve any reward for what had transpired here. And no way was he going to take credit for something he wasn’t responsible for.
“I appreciate that, but you should know that Adrian ended things with Kylee. This had nothing to do with me. And I don’t want to mislead you. That’s not who I am or who I have ever been.”
Dr Nolan watched him closely for a few seconds. “Well, I appreciate your honesty, Teddy. Admitting that was very mature of you.”
Teddy stood. “I’ve got to get ready for my first patient.”
He stowed his bag in his locker and was about to leave the room when Dr Nolan spoke again.
“I still think you’ll do a great job managing the surgery while I’m away.”
“Thanks, Dr Nolan. I won’t let you down.”
And Teddy knew he wouldn’t.
This was why Jessica preferred online shopping.
The boutique was tastefully decorated in muted mauves and delicate pinks, and it smelt like toasted marshmallows and caramel.
All the sales assistants had perfect make-up and stick-straight hair.
It was the kind of place she’d normally avoid.
But unless she wanted to wear something from Kmart to her wedding, she needed to find another outfit.
Not that there was anything wrong with Kmart.
She’d been wearing it for years and didn’t see that changing any time soon, regardless of the lump sum about to land in her bank account.
And so what if she wanted to look nice for Teddy. That wasn’t a big deal.
Jessica moved along the rack of clothes, her fingers dancing along the different materials: silk, cotton, linen. Everything was so soft. Wearing these would be like wearing nothing at all.
“Can I help you find anything?” a sales assistant in a steel-grey, one-shouldered dress asked.
She was intimidatingly gorgeous. The kind of woman who looked like she’d just stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine and had never suffered through the indignity of having a halo of flyaways like Jessica always did.
“I’m just looking,” Jessica replied.
“I’ll be over there”—the sales assistant pointed to the chrome and marble counter at the back of the store—“if you need me. The sales racks are up the back.”
Ouch.
Jessica nodded and kept wandering down the long rack of garments that spanned the whole side of the boutique. Tables were scattered across the store with the shawls that Jessica had once heard Lulu describe as ‘being the key to pulling off the coastal grandmother look’.
She sighed. What was she doing? She didn’t belong here.
Jessica stopped in front of a mannequin wearing a pair of wide-leg black trousers with a white ribbon stitched down the side seam. It had been paired with a silky, white button-up shirt. The collar was oversized and edged with black lace.
It was quirky.
And sophisticated.
How she’d always wanted to be.
This could be something. She looked at the price tag. Four hundred dollars. For a blouse! She fingered the material and, okay, fine, it was possibly made from angel wings, but four hundred dollars? What did the pants cost?
“Jessica?”
She snatched her hand back and spun around.
Alice and Eloise were standing behind her, both looking like they belonged in a store like this.
Alice’s short red hair was curled lightly, and her yellow tulle skirt could’ve easily been plucked from the rack behind Jessica.
This wasn’t a shock, though. Alice was known for her unique dress sense.
Even Eloise looked chic in her oversize T-shirt dress, a long, loose braid tossed over one shoulder.
Her face was clear of make-up, but she was glowing.
“Hi,” Jessica said. “What are you guys doing here?”
She’d specifically driven to one of the big shopping centres on the outskirts of Melbourne to avoid running into anyone from Wattle Junction. So much for that plan.
“We’re on a research trip,” Alice said, lowering her voice. “I’d like to add a clothing line to my business eventually, so I always like to see what’s selling.” With a whisper, she added, “Not that it would be anything nearly as luxurious as this. This place is fancy.”
“That’s what she tells Owen, but really she loves to shop,” Eloise teased, and Jessica smiled at the easy friendship between the two women. It was the kind she hoped to have one day, once she’d sorted out all the essentials for herself and Sam.
“They do have some nice stuff.”
“Hey!” Eloise said suddenly. “I heard congratulations are in order!”
Jessica paled. In all their discussions about how they were going to pull this off, she and Teddy had never spoken about what they’d say if someone figured out what they’d done.
“Teddy mentioned you’re going to give up a few of your jobs? Finally have some time to yourself?”
After the dildo debacle, Jessica had decided it was time to scale back her product reviews.
“That’s the plan.”
“And you still want to buy Joanie’s place?”
Jessica ducked her head and pushed aside the worry that always blossomed when she thought about losing the house … and potentially losing Sam. There was so much—everything, actually—riding on her plan. “I’m going to do my best. Hopefully, it will be good enough.”
“Girl, no,” Alice said, grabbing one of Jessica’s hands. “You’re already good enough for anything you want. Everyone can see how hard you’ve been working. It’s beyond impressive, and you shouldn’t feel bad about taking a break.”
Heat flushed through Jessica’s body. Accepting compliments always felt like someone had dumped ants all over her body. “That’s kind of you to say, but I’ve had lots of help. I can’t take all the credit.”
“Hardly,” Eloise said. “This is all you, Jess. Take your credit!”
Jessica’s throat tightened with gratitude, especially because Eloise didn’t mention her inheritance, which meant maybe Joan had managed to keep a secret?
“Are you looking for something in particular in here?” Eloise asked.
“Oh, yes. Can we help? Owen loves it most when I get my shopping fix from helping someone else spend their money.” Alice frowned suddenly.
“Maybe something special? For a fancy date with your boyfriend? Although, some of this stuff is a bit wedding-y, don’t you think?
Unless that’s something you need?” Alice raised her eyebrows suggestively.
“Um …”
Shit.
“Relax.” Alice laughed. “I was teasing. I’m sorry. I’ve been spending too much time with Lulu, clearly.”
Jessica checked her watch, but the damn thing needed a new battery. “I’m not looking for anything, really. Just daydreaming. Not about getting married to Teddy.”
Oh, God. Jessica faked a cough that turned into a real cough, and her eyes watered.
“You see, we’re just … it’s still new? I should …” take lessons on how to handle pressure? Be less awkward?
“We’re getting lunch now,” Alice interjected. “Want to come with us? There’s a great Italian place further down, or a sushi train that’s recently opened.”
“Yes, please come to lunch.” Eloise smiled.
“It’s kind of you, but—”
“Do you have any dietary requirements?” Alice asked, shifting her shopping bags from one hand to the other. “I’ve got this great app on my phone that lets you search your surroundings based on reviews. I’m gluten free, but I’m sure we can find something suitable for all of us.”
“Sam finishes kinder—”
“At three thirty, right?” Alice cocked her head to the side.
“Um.”
“Sorry. I just realised how weird it is that I know that. Teddy mentioned in the family group chat that he was going there today to chat with the kids about how to brush their teeth properly.”
“I forgot Teddy was doing that.”
“Teddy’s always loved kids.” Eloise’s smile widened. “He won’t let Nate have old sports class back. Said he ran it while we were away and if Nate wants to get involved again, he can be Teddy’s assistant. You can imagine his face telling Nate that, can’t you?”
Jessica would bet he’d been grinning so wide his cheeks hurt.
“So, lunch?” Alice said, recapturing Jessica’s attention. “I promise we won’t keep you long. You’ll be finished in plenty of time to get Sam.”
If Jessica were going to start to make positive changes, this would be a good one.
“Sure, yeah. Thanks. That would be nice,” she said.
Eloise and Alice smiled widely.
“Wonderful,” Alice said. “How do you feel about sashimi?”
And that’s how Jessica found herself sitting at a long bench, sandwiched in between Eloise and Alice—this had definitely been done on purpose—watching a train laden down with sushi and other Japanese food do loops around the restaurant.
She took her time choosing what she wanted to eat and making a note of all the food that Sam might like or at least try. He’d love the train.
Once she had her inheritance, she could do things like this with him.
Jessica bit into a pork dumpling, savouring the mixture of tender meat, ginger and garlic.
Good things were coming.
A whole range of new life experiences.
Not only for Sam, but for her too.
And it was all thanks to Teddy’s help.
Teddy would love that outfit she’d found too. She could tell by the way his eyes had lit up when she’d said she might wear pants to their wedding. Maybe she could splurge on it or something similar. Just this once.
She’d love to see his face when he saw her in it.
And—she swallowed the last bite of her dumpling, focusing on the warmth radiating around her body—she deserved that memory as well.