‘Huh?’
‘I was thirteen, going to my first dance. My date was threatened by the quartet. He was so scared he pulled out and I went to the dance alone. Sixteen—another boy, another kiss... Nick sprayed the boy with a hosepipe. In winter. I could go on and on.’
‘Lucky you.’ Luke held out the spoon for her to taste the sauce.
Jess held his wrist, blew on the sauce and tasted. It was perfect—herby, garlicky, meaty.
‘Yum. Lucky? Are you mad? They are the bane of my life. They’re nosy and interfering and still think I’m a little girl in need of guidance and protection.’
‘But it must be nice to know that you have four people standing in your corner, ready to wade into the fire for you,’ Luke said soberly, and Jess knew he was right.
Yes, her brothers annoyed her, but she wouldn’t trade them for the obvious loneliness of growing up an only child.
‘Or to punch an ex for you.’
‘I guess.’
‘He cheated. He deserves it.’ Luke shrugged. ‘Are you sure he cheated or was it just a suspicion?’
‘I caught them in my bed. She was on top.’
‘Tacky,’ Luke said, tossing pasta into the rapidly boiling water. ‘You’re not very upset about him cheating.’
Jess shrugged. ‘I’m over it. Mostly.’
‘Mostly?’
Jess looked at the ceiling. How did she explain that she felt stupid rather than hurt—embarrassed that she’d never suspected he was cheating? And his parting words still stung.
‘He told me I was a ball-breaker, a control-freak-psycho. It was messy and a big failure... I don’t like mess and I don’t like failing.’
She didn’t like being out of control, and being a perfectionist was a pain in the ass sometimes. Jess repeated the thought to Luke and he grinned.
He reached for the bottle of wine and topped up her glass while Jess draped her arm over the back of the chair. ‘Anyway, to come back to my conversation with Nick... My family are desperately trying to find a villa to rent in Cape Town, so they can be near me over that long weekend. So that we can spend some time together... And my father—sorry—wants to see St Sylve. My family are wine-oholics. They’ve asked me to keep my ears open for a place to rent that will fit the entire family. Including Grandma,’ Jess continued.
‘You won’t find a place to rent at such late notice. They are usually booked quite far in advance,’ Luke told her as he drained the pasta.
‘I know.’ Jess looked glum.
Luke stared at her for a long minute and Jess frowned. ‘What?’
‘Being with your family is important to you, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. Very. My brothers alternate Christmas with us and their wives’ families, so we’re never all together at Christmas. This weekend is one we’ve kept sacrosanct. We have to have a damn good excuse to miss it, and so far my mother is not buying mine.’
Jess saw the deep breath Luke pulled in.
‘Invite them to St Sylve.’
‘What?’
‘The manor house will sleep twelve adults upstairs and another two downstairs.’
What a perfect solution. She could have her family close and work when she could, or after they all went to sleep.
‘Eleven adults. Five kids under five. Is that a serious offer?’
‘It’s sitting empty,’ Luke pointed out as he dished up their supper.
Jess stared at the plate he’d put in front of her, her brain whirling. ‘I’ll only suggest it to them if we pay to hire it.’
Luke considered her words as he grated Parmesan cheese on top of her food. ‘I wish St Sylve was in a position to say no, but it’s not. I’ll do some research tomorrow and give you a daily rate.’
Jess bit her lip and wiggled in her chair in excitement. ‘Oh, I could just kiss you.’
‘Feel free,’ Luke quickly replied, and Jess blushed.
She would, but she suspected that would lead to more kissing.
And then her food would get cold and sticky and she was starving.
‘No?’ Luke filled up their wine glasses. ‘Damn. Well, then, let’s eat.’
SIX
The next day, Jess watched as Luke carelessly and confidently steered a hugely expensive superbike into the spot Sbu had designated and pulled off his helmet, sending a warm glance to the blonde giraffe sitting on the wall that separated the beach from the road. The sun was setting, the model had a bottle of St Sylve Merlot and two crystal glasses in her hand, and a sexy come-hither look on her very expensive face.
Jess ground her teeth. She knew she wasn’t acting...nobody was that good. Luke strode over to the model, cupped her neck and tipped her chin up with his thumb. Their kiss was way longer than necessary, and Jess was sure she’d have no molars left by the end of this shoot. Sbu eventually cut the scene and Luke lifted his head. He really could look as if he was enjoying this a lot less, Jess thought, glaring at him as he grinned down at the giraffe.