29. Jess
29
Jess
‘ H ow’d the talent show go?’ Sarah’s voice boomed down the phone along with a loud munching sound. It was lunchtime, so she was probably in the park across the road from where she worked, eating a ham and pickle sandwich, which was what she always had for lunch.
‘We won!’
‘Amazing! Not surprised with your voice! Now you and your nemesis finally have something to bond over.’
I paused, thinking whether I should tell her what happened or not. But I was bursting with excitement. I had to tell someone. But Theo was next door and he’d hear everything.
‘Can I call you back in five?’
‘Yeah, course.’
I quickly grabbed my room key, slipped on my shoes and headed to the beach.
This wasn’t a conversation I could have in my room or in the streets where people might overhear. The beach at Sunshine Bay wasn’t crowded like so many of the nice beaches in England. Usually people used it for walks and occasional picnics, but during the daytime, like now, people were either at home, working, or eating lunch at the cafe, the pub, or the fish and chips restaurant. I loved the fact that it was so peaceful.
Once I was sure I was alone, I dialled Sarah’s number.
‘Hey,’ she mumbled through a mouthful of food.
‘Sorry about that. I just had to go to the beach, where it was more private.’
‘Why, what’s up? Everything okay?’
‘Yep. More than okay. Y’know you said that because we won, hopefully me and Theo would’ve bonded?’
‘Yeah?’
‘Well, last night we bonded… with our bodies!’
Sarah gasped so loud they probably heard her across the ocean.
‘No fucking way!’
‘Yes, way!’ I laughed.
‘Then again, I don’t know why I’m so surprised. You two have been spending a lot of time together, and after you sent me that picture of him, to be honest, I’m surprised you lasted that long. If I had a Henry Cavill lookalike staying in the room next door to me, I would’ve accidentally fallen on his dick approximately two seconds after he arrived.’
I burst out laughing. The truth was, as much as I would’ve denied wanting to, I probably wouldn’t have been sorry if that happened.
‘He is ridiculously hot!’
‘So come on, then! Don’t leave me hanging. I need details! How did it happen and where? And most importantly, was it good?’
I told Sarah everything. About the almost kiss on the beach and the rocking chair sex.
‘Oh my God! You lucky cow! I never knew I had a rocking chair sex fantasy until now!’
‘Me either! But it definitely gets a thumbs-up.’
‘Plus bonus points for semi-al fresco fucking! I wonder if any of the residents saw you shagging with the patio doors open?’
‘And that’s not the only thing. He bought me a bag of books and was encouraging me to get back into reading.’
‘Marry him! Immediately! A man who buys you books and is happy for you to read them is the equivalent of finding a stable of unicorns! I’m sooo jealous. Where do they grow men like this? Does Theo have any brothers?’
I laughed. Imagine if there was a pick-your-own-Theo farm. It’d be inundated.
‘He’s got two brothers.’
‘Send me their telephone numbers right now!’ she said excitedly.
‘Ha-ha! Neither of them are in the UK.’
‘I can call them on WhatsApp. And I have a passport! I can travel!’
‘Noted!’
‘Please! Don’t keep all the sexy Eaves goodness to yourself! It’s been ages since I’ve had any action.’
‘I don’t know anything about his brothers or if they’re single, but I’ll see what I can find out.’
‘Thank you! And congrats! I’m so happy for you. I know how hard it’s been for you since what you went through with your idiot ex. I’m so glad you didn’t let him put you off dating altogether.’
‘Me too. Theo is…’ I felt myself swoon and love hearts filled my eyes. ‘He’s amazing. And so, so talented.’
‘Sounds like it! So what does this mean for the pitch?’
‘I don’t know,’ I sighed, kicking up the sand under my feet and staring out to the sea, hoping to find the answer. ‘Nothing changes, I suppose. We’re still going up against each other. This just makes it more awkward, though.’
‘Yeah.’
‘But I can’t let it distract me. There’s a lot riding on this. I don’t want to let Mrs Davis down. And I definitely don’t want to go back to my old jobs.’
‘I hear you. I know it’s hard, but try not to overthink it. Keep working hard on the presentation and then once you clock off, maybe you could just enjoy your time with Theo.’
Sounded like a good plan in theory. I wasn’t sure it’d be that simple in reality, though.
‘Hon, I have to go back to work now, but we’ll speak later, yeah?’
‘Course.’
‘Congrats again, and don’t forget to find out about the other Eaves hotties!’
‘Will do.’
I hung up and practically skipped back to the B&B. When I arrived, I was tempted to knock on Theo’s door, but we’d agreed. We had to keep our distance.
Time to get back to work.
I switched off my laptop, got up from the desk and crashed back onto the bed. I was exhausted. I’d been working on the presentation all day and my head hurt.
This was so difficult. I wasn’t used to this kind of thing.
I was never the one who did the presentations. I always served the people who did and stayed in the background, supporting the smarter people in the limelight.
I hadn’t gone to college or university like most people my age. It was straight to work for me. For years I’d worked as a sales assistant in different local supermarkets.
Then when I was twenty-five, I met my ex, Silas. He was a customer that used to come in a few times a week.
When he asked me out on a date, I couldn’t believe my luck. He was always dressed in a suit. I never thought in a million years that someone like him would be interested in a shop assistant like me.
In the beginning, he wined and dined me, paying for meals at nice restaurants and buying me gifts. I felt like a princess.
After just six months, we moved in together and he offered me a job at his carpet and flooring company as his assistant. I answered the phone, did filing, made teas and coffees for meetings and other admin stuff.
At first I was so grateful for the opportunity. But as the years passed and I was doing the same tasks day in, day out, whilst other people were rising up the ranks, I grew frustrated. I asked if I could take on more responsibility. Learn new things. Silas would always refuse, saying I didn’t have the right qualifications.
Although I didn’t have A levels or a degree, I still believed I could do the job, if I was given a chance. But he would always make me feel like I wasn’t smart enough.
Before his outbursts about my romance books, he used to mock them, saying they weren’t ‘real books’.
He put me down at every opportunity. I knew I should’ve left him, but I was scared. Everything was tied to him. He owned the house we lived in. He was my boss, so I depended on him for an income. My salary went straight into his account and he’d give me an allowance every week from that. He controlled everything in my life and made me feel like I would be nothing without him.
But almost two years on, after leaving everything behind, I was slowly getting back on my feet. And I finally had the opportunity I’d always wanted: to do something more challenging for a career.
Having the chance to potentially run my own library was much more than I ever could’ve dreamed of, but I owed it to myself to do my best and prove to people like my ex that I was worthy of doing more. Here’s hoping I didn’t blow it.
After I had my shower, I climbed into bed. I was about to reach for the TV remote when I paused.
I glanced at my bedside table, where Office Delight was laid on top. I still couldn’t believe that Theo had bought it for me. And it was a signed copy. It meant so much.
Snatching it off the table, I held the book to my chest, hugging it like it was a newborn baby. Then I moved it up to my nose and inhaled the fresh book scent I used to love so much.
Memories flooded my head of all the times I’d got lost in a book. Like how I always used to carry one to read on the bus, when I’d smuggle a novel under the till on the shop floor so I could read when there were no customers.
Then there were the warm summer days where I’d take my book to the park during my lunch break and sit on the bench and devour a few chapters.
I used to love reading in the bath. And when I was single I’d always read in bed, telling myself I’d only read one more chapter, knowing full well that I would end up reading several more and stay up way past my bedtime.
God, I missed that.
But I didn’t have to miss it anymore. I had a whole bag of fresh new books and a Kindle packed full of them too. Plus there were the novels Mrs Davis had left for Cecil to pass on to me that I still hadn’t touched.
I could do this.
Holding the book in front of me, I took a deep breath, then flicked through the first few pages to chapter one. Even though I’d got past the halfway mark in this book, I wanted to start it all over again. And so I did.
At first, I set myself a goal to read the first page. Then the first chapter. I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself. But before I knew it, I’d read a quarter of the book.
A few hours later I was halfway through and absolutely hooked. It was one in the morning and I should’ve gone to bed before midnight, but it felt so good to get back into reading again. My heart was so full it could burst. I didn’t want to put the book down. I wanted to sit here all night until I fell asleep or until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. Whichever came first. But after fighting the urge to wee for ages, I couldn’t hold out any longer. I had to go to the loo .
When I got back and looked at the chapter I was about to start next, I realised it was the chapter that Theo had started reading to me.
Memories of his velvety voice flooded my brain. Then I thought about our first kiss on the beach under the moonlight, how we’d had sex on the rocking chair, how he’d given me these books and how much I’d wanted to kiss him and do so much more to express my gratitude.
I knew we’d done the right thing by agreeing to keep our distance. But it hadn’t even been twenty-four hours yet since we’d last spoken and I already missed him.
He’d be so happy to know that I’d started reading again. I wished I could tell him. But we’d agreed. No more seeing each other.
I blew out a frustrated breath. Then I had an idea. We’d agreed not to see each other, but we hadn’t said anything about sending messages.
After picking up my phone, I fired up my email and started writing him a message.
From: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday 14th May, 01.09
Subject: Thanks
Hi!
How was your day?
Thanks again for the books. You don’t know how much it means to me .
Thought you’d like to know that I’ve started reading again and it feels A-MAZING!
Just about to start the chapter that you read in the basement. Won’t be the same without hearing your velvety-smooth voice.
Jess x
I hit send and smiled. Hopefully he’d reply at some point before the presentation, but I couldn’t hold my breath. He was much more experienced at this whole business professionalism thing, and given the pressure he was under from his dad, he might not reply at all.
Just as I went to pick up the book, my phone chimed.
OMG. Theo had replied!
From: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday 14th May, 01.15
Subject: Thanks
Hi, Jess,
I thought I was the only one who was still awake. I was working late and then picked up a book to help me wind down. Told myself I’d just read a couple of chapters, but I’m already 52% in!
Congrats! So glad you’ve got your reading mojo back. I know how hard it was to pick up a book, so I’m proud of you for finding the courage to try again.
Ha-ha! Glad you liked it. My voice is available for bookings.
T x
As I finished reading the email, butterflies erupted in my stomach. First when I saw he’d also been reading and then at the part where he said he was proud of me.
A lot of people would laugh and think it was no big deal to just pick up a book and read it. Millions of people did it every day, but for me, it’d been hard and Theo got that. Even though we hadn’t known each other long, somehow he understood me.
From: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday 14th May, 01.20
Subject: Thanks
Currently sitting here in a puddle after you just melted my heart. Thanks for your kind words and understanding.
I LOVE that you’ve got your nose buried in a book too! What you reading? The thriller I saw you with in the coffee shop?
Consider this email as a formal request to book your narration services. Please confirm your earliest availability.
Jx
I let out a little giggle as I sent the message. It was crazy to think that there was only a thin wall separating us. On the other side, Theo was in bed reading, just like I was. I wished he was here in bed with me. Not just so we could have sex again, which I really wanted, but just to snuggle up under the duvet together and read.
Clutching the phone tighter, I patiently waited, hoping that a reply would come through soon.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, a new message popped up.
From: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday 14th May, 01.23
Subject: Thank s
I downloaded the Kindle app onto my phone earlier and I’m reading your favourite book. I can see why you like it. Can’t put it down. I’ve just read chapter 21, but I’d be happy to read it again to you.
I have a slot available in ten minutes if that’s acceptable?
T x
My heart raced. Theo was going to read to me again. Tingles erupted between my legs. The desk sex scene in chapter 21 was hot. And with Theo reading it, it’d be even hotter.
From: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday 14th May, 01.26
Subject: Thanks
OMG! I can’t believe you’re reading it! That’s brilliant.
I would LOVE to go ahead with the booking. Your room or mine?
Jx
From: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday 14th May, 01.28
Subject: Thanks
Maybe it’s better if I do it over the phone instead?
Send me your number.
T x
My stomach sank a little, but I understood. Having a wall between us was a good way to make sure we didn’t stray into dangerous territory.
When he’d read it to me in the basement, it was a struggle to stop myself from overheating, so after what happened last night, it’d be even harder.
At least if I was in my bed alone, I could lay back and enjoy the experience. And if my hands just happened to stray somewhere, he’d be none the wiser. It was perfect.
I fired off a reply with my number. Seconds later Theo texted me to confirm he’d call in five minutes. I took a sip of water from my glass and slid back under the covers.
The countdown was on for adult story time and I couldn’t wait.