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“Mmm, we’ll see,” Nina answered offhandedly. The kettle whistled. Glad of the distraction, Nina turned away to make the coffee to Sally’s taste. “Any bookings for me?” she asked, turning the conversation to business. She didn’t want to discuss Jack. Her feelings about him swung from wild longing to helpless despair.
Sally was not slow on reading signals. She obligingly picked up the cue. “I’ve tried to keep this week clear for you, but weddings always throw up last-minute little traumas. Juliette Hardwick has lost weight and wants her dress taken in. I’ve scheduled a fitting for seven o’clock tonight. Can do?”
“Of course.”
If Jack came for dinner, as he planned, he’d have to understand she wasn’t always available when he wanted her to be. Most clients came after normal working hours. It was the only time they were free, and Nina had to accommodate them. Running one’s own business was a lot different from working for someone else. Customers came first. The baby’s needs came ahead of Jack’s, too. Nina could see his patience running out very quickly.
“Tomorrow’s free,” Sally continued, “but Friday night Belinda Pinkerton and her mother and her three bridesmaids are coming for a consultation. Seven-thirty. They want your advice on what would best suit them.” Sally rolled her eyes expressively. “Could be a big job in it for you, Nina.”
It was a thrilling thought. Nina grinned, her eyes dancing with excitement. “I’ll sharpen up my sales pitch.”
“Nothing like a complete showcase to advertise your talent,” Sally encouraged. “Belinda likes dramatic. Think about it. And the Pinkertons have serious money to spend, so think big.”
“Great!”
Sally drank some of her coffee then casually remarked, “I would have dropped in last night but I didn’t want to intrude on anything private.”
Nina’s burst of pleasure dimmed. She just didn’t know where she was going with Jack.
Sally noted the change and grimaced. “I hope I didn’t do the wrong thing in letting Jack bring you home.”
“No.”
“He was very eager.”
“Yes.”
The monosyllabic replies drew a deep sigh from Sally. “I know it’s none of my business, Nina, but the guy seemed very sincere. I had a long talk with him after we left the hospital the other night. He’s dead-set on marrying you.”
“Maybe.”
Sally gave her a sharp, penetrating look. “You don’t want him?”
Nina winced. “It’s not that.”
“Well, if you’re worried about the business, Jack assured me he’d respect and support any outlet you wanted for your creativity. He said he understood how you felt about it and knew how important it was for your own sense of achievement and fulfilment. The guy really impressed me, Nina. I don’t think you’d have any trouble with him on that score.”
Sally was right. Jack wouldn’t interfere with any opportunities that came her way. He valued his own work and would apply the same value to hers. It was only the time spent on the baby he’d resent.
“When he was here yesterday, he noted how you’d raised the table and said he’d make you one that fitted all your work requirements,” Sally went on. “Save you from getting back problems.”
Nina couldn’t help smiling. Jack would enjoy getting it right for her. He was quite obsessive about getting things right. Unfortunately, babies and children threw unpredictable spanners into perfect plans. Could Jack learn to live with that? Her smile drooped into a grimace. He’d been totally fed up with the way his friends’ baby had disrupted the infamous dinner party.
“I’d snaffle him if I were you,” Sally said confidentially. “The guy is pure gold. He’s got money. He’s got brains. He’s got great muscles. And he’s not going to mess with our partnership.”
Nina sighed and confessed the wretched truth. “He doesn’t want children, Sally. That’s why I broke up with him in the first place.”
Sally’s eyebrows disappeared into her flyaway fringe. “He turned his back on you when you got pregnant?” she squawked in outrage.
“No. I didn’t tell him I was pregnant. I knew he didn’t want children. He’d told me so in no uncertain terms.”
Sally ruminated over these facts as she finished her coffee. She set her mug down and gave Nina the benefit of her wisdom. “Well, he hasn’t exactly been put off by Charlotte, has he? Why didn’t he run the other way once he found out you’d had his baby?”
Nina shrugged helplessly. “He still wants me. I don’t think Charlotte is real to him yet. He remembers how it was between us and he wants that back.”
“Hmm.” Sally clacked her perfectly manicured fingernails on the counter. “Is he coming to visit this evening?”
“That was the plan. If he hasn’t had second thoughts.”
