Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
JESSY
I feel bad. I barged into their private moment, and even though they were nice about it I hurt inside. It’s obvious they are just nice people and any thoughts that Luke regards me any differently are firmly in my imagination.
As I wait for them to join me, I attempt to reign in my emotions, feelings, and desires and view him as my boss. My amazing, gorgeous, sweet, kind, and sexy boss.
I groan inside because how will this work? I am an idiot. A self-obsessed deluded idiot who should really start hunting for a proper job as soon as possible. Preferably a woman boss and far away from men like Luke Adams. Far away from a television even because he is sure to feature on Match of The Day on a weekly basis.
“Jessy.”
He heads inside the kitchen, running his fingers through his dishevelled hair and flashes the lopsided grin that catches my heart every single time.
“I’m glad you stopped by.”
I say nothing because he is probably only being polite, anyway.
He flicks the switch on the kettle and glances around the room.
“This place would be great with a modern kitchen. I wonder how much it would cost?”
‘’A lot.” I shrug and try hard to prevent my heart from beating too fast as I contemplate a decision may have been made. Surely he wouldn’t be picturing the interior if he intends on heading back to Manchester in the new year.
It brings me back to the reason I came here in the first place, and I set my notebook down on the kitchen counter.
“I’ve been working on the business plan.”
“Great.”
He selects two mugs from the draining board and I glance towards the door. “I thought Morgana was joining us.”
“No, she has a meeting with Jasper. They are organising more filming and I wish I wasn’t involved, but they need me, apparently.”
He grimaces, making me smile.
“So, you’re not a fan of being on camera. Perhaps you can sympathise with Scott.”
“I totally sympathise with Scott but my life dictates I must grin and bear it.”
He holds up the mug. “Sugar?”
“No, thanks.”
He hands me the coffee and nods towards the notebook.
“I’m interested in hearing your business plan.”
“Are you?”
I raise my eyes and he grins sheepishly. “Well, maybe not dying to hear it, but it’s probably going to help with my decision.”
“Have you made it yet?” I’m curious, and he shakes his head and exhales sharply. “Not yet, but let’s just say it’s work in progress. Anyway, run it past me and I’ll add it to the long list of things I need to think of before the new year.”
We spend the next two hours drinking coffee and discussing the business plan and I must admit it is nice to be sitting side by side sharing information and attempting to figure a way out of his mess.
Luke
We are interrupted when Morgana and Steven head into the room, Jasper, as always, in tow and Morgana says happily, “Come on, guys. We’re heading to Dorchester to grab some festive atmosphere and Jasper and the crew will film some great scenes for the show.”
I sigh heavily and smile my apology to Jessy who appears lost for words and I’m guessing it’s due to the fact Morgana resembles a polar bear in a white fur hat, matching coat and boots, with skin tight red velvet leggings that match her painted lips.
“I’d better change.” I say quickly, knowing my own exercise gear won’t make the final cut, and Morgana groans with exasperation. “Honestly, Luke, I told you about this two hours ago. What on earth have you been doing?”
She doesn’t even wait for a reply before she says over her shoulder as she heads to the door, “You’ll have to meet us there. Jessy can drive you, and I’ll text our location. See you soon.”
We watch the group leave and Jessy says quickly, “I’m so sorry, I’ve taken up too much of your time. I’ll drop you there and leave you to it.”
“Oh no you don’t.” I groan loudly. “If I’m spending the afternoon from hell Christmas shopping, I’m taking you with me.”
I wink, causing her to blush adorably and nod towards the kettle. “Make yourself another coffee if you like. I won’t be long.”
As I head out of the room, for the first time since coming here, it’s as if something has shifted inside me and I view this place differently. My conversation with Morgana earlier appears to have been the catalyst to drive change, and now it’s up to me to steer it in the right direction.
“Is it far?” I ask as we set off from Granthaven Manor in Jessy’s small car and she shakes her head. “No. About twenty minutes.”
She peers at my foot that is without its boot.
“How’s your ankle?”
“Good thanks. You know, I was a little worried back there. I kind of need my limbs to be working to do my job.”
“How long before you can – do your job, I mean?”
I shrug. “A few weeks, maximum.”
“I see.” She falls silent and so do I because we are both aware that my job is nowhere near Granthaven and it prompts me to say carefully, “I expect you’re wondering where that leaves you?”
Her cheeks are pink as she says nervously, “A little, and the village, of course.”
“Of course.”
I gaze out of the window at the passing hedgerows and once again it strikes me how beautiful the countryside is around here, prompting me to ask, “What are your plans, Jessy? Your hopes and dreams. You must have them.”
“I do.”
She clears her throat and says in a small voice, “More than anything, I want to be happy and if that means moving on and finding my dream outside of Granthaven, then I must accept that.”
“But you love this place?”
“I do, but I’m also aware that things don’t stay the same forever. You see–”
She shifts the gear, and the car climbs up a steep hill and she says over the screaming engine, “I’ve also experienced life outside Granthaven and discovered it’s not as scary as I thought it was. Life goes on and it’s what you make of it, wherever you happen to be at the time. When I returned home, everything looked different somehow. I saw its faults as well as the beauty of the place, and it made me wonder if I had grown away from it.”
“You want to leave?”
My heart sinks because I don’t want Jessy to have any desire to leave this place, and she nods. “I do. You see, Luke, I want to experience the wonder of the world. Granthaven is a speck of happiness in that amazing world that I know so little of. I want to visit places I have only read about and experience nature in all its forms.”
“I see.”
I don’t know why I hate every word she speaks. I suppose because it shows she isn’t thinking of me and it hurts. Jessy’s dreams and wishes involve travel and I must face the fact I’ve lost her before she even realises that I found her.