Two strong arms hooked themselves around my waist and lifted me back up the bed so that I landed across Jesse’s lap.
‘Are you moaning?’
I stayed silent and he read my eyes.
‘I didn’t mean that kind but…’ His eyes flashed with mischief and one hand slid under my top.
‘No-o-o-o! Come on,’ I said. ‘We’ve got lunch with your sister in an hour, you’ve got to give Ned a run and I’ve got some notes to make on that new project before that.’
‘You’re not working today.’
‘I’ll work when I bloody well like, thank you.’
‘Fliss, you were up until 1a.m. working.’
‘I’m enjoying it.’
‘I know, but it’s not healthy. You need rest.’
‘You can talk!’
‘Fine. Yes, I know.’ He shot me a look that perfectly illustrated another reason I was short of sleep. ‘But come on, tell me why you won’t move your clothes.’
‘Because…’
‘That’s it? Because?’
‘Fine. I don’t want to jinx it. There. Happy now?’ I made to wriggle off his lap but his arms tightened.
‘Jinx what?’
‘This. Whatever this is. You. Me. Here.’
‘You won’t jinx it.’ He lifted one hand and hooked his finger beside my chin, turning my head gently towards him. ‘I promise.’
‘I’d just rather not take the chance.’
He studied me for a moment more. ‘OK.’
‘Thank you. Now get your arse out of that bed and get ready or you can explain to your sister why we’re late.’
‘I am never discussing my sex life with my sister.’
‘Then I suggest you get moving.’
18
Pete and Jules were, appropriately, sitting in a cosy love seat by the fire in the pub we’d arranged to meet at. It was a few villages across and gave us all a chance to chat with less likelihood of everyone in the room scrutinising our every move.
‘They look good together.’ I nudged Jesse as he closed the heavy oak door behind us. Ned sat and rested against my leg. The two had been seeing each other a little longer than we had but still had that ‘new relationship’ glow.
He watched them for a moment before coming to a decision. A decision he didn’t share with me.
‘Don’t you agree?’
‘I do,’ he replied, his hand snaking around my waist and resting on the waistband of my Levi’s.
‘How come you took such a long time to think about it?’
