4 #5
“So you’ve recently moved to Leeds?” he asked as he turned out onto the street.
Dani swallowed hard before answering. “Yes, I came up last week.”
“Do you know the city at all?”
“No, not at all. I just drove up using my GPS.”
“You drove up?” Jerome sounded surprised.
“Yes.”
“Where are you staying?”
Dani shifted in her seat nervously. “Near Harewood.”
Jerome raised his eyebrows and nodded. “It’s very nice there. My old family home was in Harewood.”
“Oh really? Yes, it is really nice.”
Jerome continued to drive into the city. The roads were busy and the traffic was slow moving but Jerome didn’t seem to mind.
“The bus station’s not far, but the one-way system takes you around the houses,” he snorted. He pressed something on the wheel and the sound system started up. Dani relaxed a little. At least the awkward silences were filled with music.
“Do you have family here?”
Oh hell… was he going to carry on with these questions the whole journey? “My sister and her family.”
“You’re staying with them?”
“Yes.”
“And the man who dropped you off?”
Dani’s eyes darted to Jerome and he turned to look at her. She flushed, remembering how he’d caught her looking at him. “He’s my brother-in-law.”
Jerome took a deep breath and smiled, pleased with her response. “I see.”
He looked relieved and Dani felt that maybe she should elaborate. “He told me you were looking for staff,” Dani added. “He arranged the interview with Mr Becker.”
“Oh, does he know Peter?” They’d stopped at the traffic lights and he turned to look at her. His eyes softly blinked as she looked at him. She noticed how beautifully they were framed by dark, lush eyelashes that naturally curled up, giving his otherwise masculine face a softness.
“Well, his company comes to your restaurant quite a lot.” Dani’s eyes blinked at him and he cocked his head to the side.
“Which company is that?”
“Cope, Baxter and Holmes; the solicitors.”
Jerome nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer.
The lights changed and Jerome dragged his eyes from her and pulled into the traffic.
Dani shifted her eyes back to the dashboard and then looked out of the window.
The road looked familiar, but she wasn’t sure.
She was convinced they’d just passed by this same spot.
She frowned. Strange. Maybe she recognised it from when Adam dropped her off.
Jerome smiled to himself as he hummed along to the song that was playing. Dani had never heard the music before but she liked it. Feeling like she needed to make conversation, she asked. “Who’s the artist?”
“Eros Ramazzoti. Do you know him?”
Dani shook her head.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s very soothing. Italian?” Contradicting herself, Dani thought – even the singer’s dulcet tones were not calming or soothing her racing pulse.
“Of course,” he smirked, arching his eyebrow at her again, Dani flushed and looked out of her window.
Jerome switched on his indicator and turned to park up against the pavement, smoothly slowing down to a stop.
“Well, here you are, Dani.” He swivelled his body to face her as she fumbled with the seat belt.
Releasing the belt, she gathered up her bag and the documentation Peter had given her. “Thanks for the lift.”
She looked up into his dreamy eyes and he smiled. “It was my pleasure.” He licked his lips and Dani made herself drag her gaze away. He was really way too handsome.
“Bye then, and thanks a lot.” She pulled the handle of the door and clambered out of the low car.
“Bye, Dani,” he answered gently. “Hope to see you soon,” he added.
Dani leaned down to look back inside the car.
Feeling a little braver now she was out of its confines and knowing that this could be her final chance to ensure she secured herself the job, she replied, “Well, I think that depends on Mr Becker doesn’t it?
” She smirked wryly. “Thanks again for the lift.” And before Jerome could answer, she closed the car door, but not before seeing his eyes widen in surprise.
She walked quickly towards the bus station, knowing full well Jerome was still looking at her, grinning to herself.
Jerome took a few seconds to recover. Then he cracked a smile and shook his head.
So she had a feisty side to her too? he thought to himself.
He pulled out onto the road and headed to the gym, which was on the completely opposite side of town.
He sighed as he looked at the clock. It was already half past eleven.
By the time he’d get showered and changed, it’d be lunch time.
He really wanted to go back to the restaurant, but he needed to work at the gym today.
Liz had let things go. She’d lost interest in it, like he knew she would.
He’d have to spend more time there or get a manager, now that Jonathan had been sacked.
His heart sunk at the thought of Liz, knowing he couldn’t put off the inevitable and long overdue confrontation with her.
Jerome turned up the music and with a heavy heart, drove towards the gym.