10. Theo
10
Theo
F or fuck’s sake.
This Edwin guy was really starting to get on my nerves. His incessant happiness was annoying. It was unnatural for someone to be so upbeat all the time.
His constant speeches about community were so repetitive I wondered if he woke up in the morning and practised them.
And now he was insisting that I get pally with the enemy? What planet was this man from and who did I have to call to get him sent back?
Jessica was my competitor, pure and simple. That was precisely why we had to keep our distance. I couldn’t risk bumping into her in the hallway. Especially not after what happened earlier.
When I saw her walking up the stairs, swinging those hips, it was like my feet lost the ability to move. They may as well have been buried under concrete. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Then when she accidentally crashed into my chest, my brain short-circuited. My heart raced in a way I hadn’t felt since… I couldn’t even remember. And that wasn’t the only reaction.
The sensation of her breasts pressed against me sent a jolt of desire straight to my dick. I was glad she moved away quickly and raced to her room. Otherwise, it would’ve been embarrassing.
I had to get a grip.
But the fact remained that I was here to get in Edwin’s good books. It didn’t matter that I found him annoying—the man had insisted that I eat with Jessica, so, regrettably, that was exactly what I had to do.
I didn’t buy all this butter wouldn’t melt image that Edwin presented. I was certain that he liked having this power over us. I hated that Edwin said jump and we had no choice but to ask how high or we’d forfeit our chance to pitch. It was blackmail dressed in pretty small-town sugar-coated packaging.
‘So?’ Edwin smiled. ‘Will you be joining us?’ I loved how he made it sound like I had a choice.
‘Of course.’ I plastered on a saccharine-sweet grin to mirror his. ‘You’re absolutely right. Community spirit is important. Forgive me. I’m so used to London life. It will take some time for me to adjust to how you do things here, so please be patient with me.’
I gave myself an internal high five. That sounded so good I actually believed it.
‘I understand.’ Edwin patted me gently on the back. ‘Don’t worry. We’ll do everything we can to make you feel at home here. We want you to be one of us.’
Not a chance, but I was happy that Edwin had bought my bullshit response .
‘Thank you. I’ll just put my things in my room and I’ll be right down to join you.’ I smiled again. Two smiles in two minutes and my cheeks were already aching. I had no idea how Edwin kept this cheery thing up all day.
Minutes later, I was sat outside at a table, next to Jessica. This table was clearly designed for two, but here we were, all four of us, crammed around it.
Jessica was so close that her sweet perfume flooded my nostrils. It smelt like pineapples and coconut and mixed with the fresh sea air; it was intoxicating. Every time she moved, her scent wafted around me and my concentration faltered.
‘This sandwich is delicious, thank you,’ Jessica chirped. Such a kiss-arse. Sucking up to Glenda like that in front of Edwin just to score brownie points.
My gaze was drawn to her lips. Just thinking about the words kiss and suck sent indecent thoughts racing through my mind. I quickly took a bite of the sandwich to distract me.
‘This really is lovely. I’m becoming quite a fan of the food in this town,’ I added, thinking it was time to turn on the charm.
‘Glad to hear it!’ Edwin said. ‘So what kinds of things do you two like to do in your spare time? Jessica, I’m assuming you like to read?’
‘Um, yeah, yes, absolutely!’ She said it enthusiastically enough, but something didn’t ring true. Her gaze dropped to the floor and she took a long gulp of her tea, like she was downing a shot.
There was something she wasn’t telling us.
‘And you, Theo?’
‘I enjoy travelling,’ I said. It was the first thing that came to mind. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d travelled anywhere for pleasure, but it was a safe response. ‘It’s always lovely to discover new places. Much like coming here to Sunshine Bay. It feels like a holiday. It’s a shame I’ll be so busy working that I won’t get to see more of it.’
‘Oh, you must take time out to explore! There are so many beautiful beaches in the area. Margate is nearby, and they also have the Dreamland theme park.’
‘There’s a trip there on Saturday afternoon, isn’t there, Edwin?’ Glenda piped up.
‘You’re right! One of the residents organises excursions for the community. There’s a coach booked to take everyone to and from the venue. Maybe you two can go?’
‘A theme park?’ Jessica’s eyes bulged. ‘Like with roller coasters?’
‘Yes! It’s brilliant. They also have a roller disco and sometimes they do concerts too. It’s a big hit with youngsters like you,’ Glenda said.
‘That’s an excellent idea.’ Edwin reached for his phone. ‘I’m sure they’ll have room for two more guests. I’ll give Nancy a call.’
‘Th-that’s okay!’ Jessica jumped in. ‘I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble. I’m sure it’s all booked up by now!’ she added nervously. ‘And we wouldn’t want to take two spaces away from the community.’
Although Edwin and Glenda were too high on their natural happy juice to realise, I could tell that Jessica didn’t want to go. Which could work well for me. If she dropped out and I went, that’d put me in Edwin’s good books.
‘I’d love to go!’ I gushed. ‘And a coach trip with other residents too? That’d be a great way to get to meet the community. Sign me up!’
A wide grin spread across Edwin’s face.
Bingo.
Earlier I’d found his enthusiasm annoying, but I’d been looking at it all wrong. Now I understood. As long as I showed enthusiasm for Sunshine Bay and their silly activities, Edwin would like me. Personally I didn’t care whether he did or not, but him liking me meant he’d be more likely to give me what I needed: his land.
So if he wanted me to sit and have lunch with the enemy to make him happy, I’d do it.
If I needed to play nice with the residents on some stupid coach trip, I’d do it.
Because every smile, every yes, every ‘this town is wonderful’ was bringing me closer to annihilating my competition.
Normally this wasn’t how I liked to operate. I’d always considered myself as a fair businessman. But I needed this deal. I couldn’t disappoint my father. My whole future was riding on the outcome.
Jessica might be attractive, but there was only one person who was coming out on top of this.
Me.