Chapter 14 #2
‘He could make any girl lovesick,’ she insists. ‘Fuck meeee, he’s even hotter in the flesh. You write your next book about this guy, we’ll have a bidding war on our hands.’
The breakfast room at Rosewood is bright and beautiful in a luxurious, country-estate way. It looks like somewhere royalty would eat, or the rich family in a period drama, or that would grace the pages of a lifestyle magazine that I’m too working class to appreciate.
It’s a strange, unsettling feeling, being here, knowing that this is where the wedding will be taking place.
I still can’t believe it’s happening, that my best friend is tying the knot – my best friend who I’ve never even seen with a serious girlfriend.
It’s just my luck that he finds the love of his life around the same time I realise he’s probably mine.
JJ steers us towards an empty table, floating around like she owns the place.
‘My first time eating breakfast here,’ Jake says. ‘Looks kinda fancy.’
‘Oh, it is,’ JJ replies. ‘Rosewood is one of those places that’s steeped in history, the kind people will always want to visit – the kind of place you won’t bat an eye at paying ￡5 for a cup of tea.’
He laughs. ‘Well, I’m more of an iced tea kind of guy, but I take your point,’ he replies. ‘The food smells great.’
It’s a breakfast buffet, piled high with hot and cold items. I could do a lot of damage here, and my hangover is screaming out for me to fill my boots, but I can’t resist the urge to want to impress Jake (that female reflex to pretend to be perfect when there’s a smoking-hot man around), and I’m not sure me stuffing my face has ever impressed anyone.
Jake slides into the chair opposite me, his legs just about touching mine under the table.
I try to keep my cool, but really every time our knees brush, my heart rate doubles.
‘So, Jake,’ JJ says, dropping into the seat beside me, ‘you’ve seen the news.’ JJ turns her phone towards him like she’s presenting evidence in court. ‘That you and Whitney are engaged,’ she sings.
She has to stop saying it like that. Just because the internet thinks we’re engaged, it does not mean we’re engaged.
‘Yeah, I saw that,’ he replies with a chuckle. ‘It’s funny, because what actually happened…’
‘Oh, I know what actually happened,’ JJ says, batting the idea away with her hand.
‘JJ,’ I start, but she doesn’t listen.
‘But everyone thinks you’re engaged, so, first of all, congratulations,’ she says with a cheeky smile.
‘Er, thanks,’ he replies with a laugh.
‘But here’s the thing,’ JJ continues, finally getting down to business.
‘Whitney here is a writer. She writes romcom novels – well, she’s trying to, we’re trying to sell her novel, but the problem is that our Whitney is a normal, single girl.
She isn’t famous, never been on TV, never dated anyone famous.
From a marketing point of view there’s nothing interesting about her – no offence, Whit, you know that’s true – until… this.’
Just when you think you aren’t actually capable of feeling any more embarrassment… JJ helps kick things up a gear.
‘Publishers love a story,’ JJ says. ‘Especially one that people already care about. They want authors with platforms. With followings. With excitement around them. It shouldn’t be true, but it is.’
‘You know what? I get it,’ Jake replies.
‘I’m here at Rosewood because I’m trying to buy part of it, the equestrian centre and the lodge that sits next to it.
I’m looking for somewhere local to hang my hat.
This place is kinda on the market, but the guy who owns it, Arty Morgan, he’s lived here with his family his entire life, has had all these offers from people who want to change what the place is.
He’s looking for someone to take over who will follow in his footsteps, really care about the place, look after the horses, raise their family here and, well, he doesn’t think that’s me. ’
‘Oh reeeeally?’ JJ replies.
She’s got her scary face on again. The one that appears right before…
‘Jake, I think we can help each other out,’ she says confidently.
‘Oh yeah?’ he replies.
‘I think I can help you get your sale,’ she tells him.
‘I dunno, Arty cares about legacy. About community. About families. He doesn’t want some outsider coming in with a pile of cash,’ he replies. ‘He does want a pile of cash for the place though.’
He laughs and it’s so charming.
JJ’s gaze drifts to me. Then back to Jake.
‘So, you have the cash, but you’re right, you’re an outsider,’ she starts.
‘Yup,’ Jake confirms.
‘And you’re single?’ she checks.
‘Yup again,’ he replies.
JJ’s grin blooms like a shark smelling blood.
‘JJ,’ I whisper, but she ignores me.
‘So you need Mr Morgan to take you seriously,’ JJ continues, thinking out loud.
‘That’s the plan,’ Jake replies.
‘Then maybe it helps if you don’t look like a freewheeling cowboy who might vanish into the sunset the moment the ink dries,’ she continues.
I wince. Kind of offensive. Jake is still laughing though.
‘What have you got for me?’ he asks.
‘I’m suggesting you look like a man who is settling down,’ JJ says, holding up the video on her phone again.
Oh God…
Jake’s lips part, then close again.
‘You’re…’ he starts.
‘Yes!’ she says excitedly. ‘You need Mr Morgan to see this, to see you proposing to your partner here at the estate – the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Whit needs a publisher to snap her up, because they’re in love with her story – and her marketability.
Don’t you see, you can help each other out. ’
Jake laughs.
‘You’re serious, aren’t you?’ he replies.
‘I’m so serious,’ she says. ‘It’s win-win. Whit gets her book deal. You get to buy part of Rosewood. And then, you know, shit happens, relationships don’t last – but by that point you’ll both have what you want.’
‘That’s one hell of a proposition,’ Jake replies.
‘It is, so go, grab your breakfast, eat, then see how you feel,’ she suggests.
‘Can I grab you guys a plate?’ he asks.
‘Please,’ I reply. ‘Surprise me.’
He laughs.
‘Back in a flash,’ he says.
‘Okay, JJ, what are you doing?’ I ask her once we’re alone.
‘Solving all your problems,’ she replies. ‘This is a win-win-win situation.’
‘That’s an extra win,’ I point out.
‘Yeah, well, I thought it might help with your other situation too,’ JJ replies.
I stare at her, waiting for her to explain herself.
‘Look, be cool, but Andy is sitting at a table, nine o’clock, and he’s been glaring over here this entire time,’ she says.
‘Really?’ I reply.
I subtly look around the room, looking at him without ‘seeing’ him, and JJ is right, he is staring this way. My stomach flips.
‘See, he is looking,’ JJ says. ‘Intensely. With feelings.’
‘He doesn’t have feelings,’ I whisper. ‘He has a fiancée. He doesn’t care who I’m eating breakfast with.’
‘He clearly does, and if Jake plays along, this could be exactly what you need,’ she continues. ‘Because Andy might finally have to confront his feelings for you, if he sees you with someone else you’re serious about.’
I scoff, but it comes out weak.
‘I doubt that.’
‘Don’t be so sure,’ she sings.
I risk another glance towards Andy. He’s still watching. He’s pretending that he isn’t, talking with Cordelia, but his attention keeps slipping back like it’s magnetised.
‘Win-win-win,’ she whispers. ‘And, if I’ve got it wrong, well, I’m right about the book deal, and Jake does need your help, and he did save you from the fountain – and the slush pile. You owe him.’
I mean, I don’t know that I owe him, but I do want to help him out. Unless of course he is going to buy a big chunk of Rosewood and bulldoze it to build some ugly modern apartment complex or whatever.
Do you know what? Maybe this could work.
‘So what exactly are you two proposing?’ Jake asks as he puts three plates piled high with everything down on the table. ‘Because it sounds like you’re asking me to pretend to be engaged.’
‘That’s exactly it,’ JJ replies. ‘Just until you both get what you want.’
‘Is this what you want?’ Jake asks me.
This is my chance, to back out or to lean in. I know I should probably say no, because what a sad world if this is my only shot at a book deal, but the reality is that it probably is; plus, I don’t know, there’s something about him that makes me want to say yes.
‘I’m game if you are,’ I say with an optimistic smile.
‘Then so am I,’ he says. He folds a pancake in half before taking a huge bite. He sucks syrup from his fingers and, truly, it’s one of the horniest things I’ve ever seen.
JJ claps her hands with glee.
‘Great. Then we’re agreed.’
‘Great,’ I say, without the same level of confidence.
‘Do you want to take a walk, after breakfast?’ Jake suggests. ‘Just the two of us, figure this out? I promise not to let you fall in the fountain, obviously.’
I laugh.
‘Sounds good,’ I say.
‘I’m going to grab some OJ, anyone want some?’ he asks. ‘Toast the happy couple?’
We both laugh.
‘Yes please,’ I reply.
‘Ugh, I hate to see him go, but I love to watch him leave,’ JJ says as Jake heads for the drinks station.
‘You’re so pervy,’ I tell her.
‘And yet you’re the one blushing,’ she replies, giving me a playful push.
‘I’m not.’
‘You so are,’ she insists.
‘I am not!’
I probably am.
‘Honestly, he’s so hot, if it were a woman who owned this place she probably would’ve signed it all over by now – for free,’ she jokes.
I look Andy’s way again – he’s still watching. His gaze flickers away when I glance up, like a teenager caught staring at their crush.
‘See?’ JJ says without moving her lips.
‘Maybe he’s just confused,’ I suggest. ‘Wondering why we’re eating breakfast with a cowboy. Or maybe he’s seen the video.’
‘Maybe it’s both,’ she says, excited. ‘Oh, his little head must be about to explode.’
So if I’m going through with this, which I guess I am, then I’ll be keeping it from Andy too. I’ve never kept anything from him before – then again, I’ve been keeping my feelings from him just fine, so we’ll call this an addition on that.
What other choice do I have, but to go with the flow?
It’s not going to get me Andy, JJ is reaching with that one, but I do really want that book deal, and it sounds like Jake really does want to buy the lodge and the stables and whatever else.
I suppose that’s why he’s hanging out here, riding around on Biscuits, trying to show Mr Morgan that he’s the right guy to sell to.
I do believe that he is, just going off the vibes, so I have to help him.
It’s something to do while I watch my best friend – the one I’m secretly in love with – marry someone else, isn’t it? And Jake will be a good crutch, for passing myself off as someone who doesn’t care.
Jake returns with our drinks. Honestly, there’s so much to love about this guy already. I can’t imagine pretending to be in love with him will be all that hard. He’s going to be the one who struggles to fake it because, you know, I’m me.
I glance one more time towards Andy’s table.
His eyes are on me again – actually, I think they’re on Jake, and for the first time since I found out he was getting married, I feel something other than pure devastation.
A spark… a possibility. Like I have options.
Yes, maybe this is crazy, but it’s something. And maybe it’s just what I need.