Total pages in book: 235
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
I’m surprised when Dan nods, albeit mildly. “Okay.”
The fuck?
“I think it’s time for me to crash.” He backs up, slowly but surely, glancing around the gallery landing. “This really is a nice place you have here.”
“Thanks.”
“Must be worth a few quid.”
“A few.”
He smiles. “Good talking, Jesse.”
Was it? He turns and wanders off. “Safe travels back to Australia,” I call quietly.
“Oh, Mum obviously hasn’t mentioned it,” he says, looking over his shoulder.
“Mentioned what?”
“I’m staying in London.” He smiles brightly and takes the stairs, again slowly but surely, and not because he’s under the influence. It’s because he’s relishing the shock I’m trying and failing to hide. He isn’t here to apologize at all. He’s here to piss me off. “So we’ll be seeing much more of each other.”
“Anything in particular influencing that decision?” I ask. Like . . . Kate?
“No, just fancied a change of scenery.”
Right. Sure. What the fuck isn’t he telling me? “You need to fix things with your sister,” I say, forcing a smile. I’ll take Dan’s arsehole behavior all day long. Will I let Ava? No.
I back into the room and shut the door. Brilliant. I get the pleasure for a little longer.
There’s something not right, something Dan’s not telling us.
But what?
And do I care? No. But Ava will, which means Dan’s now my problem too.
7
We woke up, we bathed, we talked, I tried and failed to get her to skive off work tomorrow, and Ava shirked yet another prompt from me to get some things off her chest.
But that’s the last time. When we’re out of here, alone, I’m ending this ridiculous stalemate. We’re married. We live together. Adore each other.
The moment I step into the restaurant holding Ava’s hand, I spot Dan. He doesn’t notice me—he’s too busy watching Kate, who looks—God forgive me—like she’s been dug up. Sam, however, who’s sitting next to her, looks suspiciously chirpy.
And where the fuck is Drew?
I’m about to pull my phone from my pocket to text him, but the room erupts into applause, and I look around to see all attention on us. The bride and groom.
Shit.
I quickly get back to husband duties and pick Ava up, carrying her through the tables to where her parents are sitting, putting her down on a chair.
“Darling,” Elizabeth says as I lower to my seat, her volume too high for this time of day. I check Sam and Kate, nod my good morning. “What a wonderful day it was,” she goes on. At least she’s not still banging on about the cake not being cut. “Despite a certain difficult man.”
Is she talking about me? A quick check across the table gives me my answer. It’s really quite something that she calls me difficult. The woman is draining. “Good morning, Elizabeth,” I say on a smile meant to dazzle her. And it does. Her nose wrinkles and she goes back to her coffee. “How are you, Joseph?”
“Very well,” he says. “Did you two enjoy your day?”
That’s debatable. “We did, thank you. Are you being looked after?”
“Too well.” He laughs. I’m not sure how to take it. Amused by the hospitality? He should be here when The Manor is actually operating for its intended purpose. “We’ll be hitting the road after breakfast, so I’ll take this opportunity to thank you for your hospitality.” Joseph nods, and I smile on the inside as I pluck a slice of toast out of the rack in the middle of the table. “It really was a special day.”
“Is Dan going back with you?” Ava asks, pulling my interested eyes her way briefly. I had wondered last night after I shut the door on my visitor if he had mentioned to Ava that he was staying in London. Obviously not. I pick up a knife and scrape a sliver of butter off the knob.
“Oh, no,” Elizabeth says on cue. “Hasn’t he told you?”
Here we go. Do I look surprised? Happy? I put the toast in Ava’s hand, and she looks at me on a frown. I can’t tell if it’s because of the toast or because of her mother’s words. “Told me what?” She takes a nibble of the toast as I discreetly look over to Dan. He’s back to watching Kate, and as I check Kate to assess her persona, I catch her looking at him too. She quickly diverts her eyes back to the table. I shift, uncomfortable. Something’s going on, and I don’t like it.
“He’s staying in London for a while,” Elizabeth says casually, faffing over Joseph’s plate.
“He’s what?” Ava blurts. She doesn’t sound pleased about that. Interesting. If I was a betting man, I would have put my money on Ava being thrilled if she was told her beloved older brother wasn’t going back to Australia. So . . . what the hell has happened?