Yet again, a stab of envy made Heidi wish for what her friend had: a loving man, a stable relationship. ‘That’s the thing. I really like Jem and I could see us being happy together, but he’s already told me he’s leaving town.’
‘For how long?’ Rayne snapped her fingers. ‘Of course. Summer told us he’s selling the agency after Leo mentioned investing in some local businesses. I should’ve put two and two together.’
‘Does it really matter for how long? I’m not interested in doing long distance.’
Pensive, Rayne absentmindedly tapped her fingers against her mug. ‘Him being away could give you both time to develop a good friendship. Then when he returns you have a solid foundation to explore a relationship if you want to.’
Heidi had no interest in being Jem’s friend. She wanted more, but did she want all the accompanying problems? She’d already lived with an impotent man. And considering Jem’s age, the problem would likely worsen. Did she want to go through all that again? It might be selfish but embracing her freedom at fifty meant she wanted to live a fulfilling life moving forward. Would a relationship with Jem give her that?
‘And here’s a suggestion from left field,’ Rayne said. ‘Have you contemplated going away with him? Travel? Have a grand adventure?’
Heidi hated the spark of excitement Rayne’s suggestion elicited. She had thought about it for a fleeting second when Jem had first mentioned his plans before chastising herself for being foolish. She barely knew the man and she wanted to traipse around the country with him? Besides, it was a moot point now with her buying the shop.
‘Have you forgotten I just signed legal documentation making me the owner of this place?’
Rayne rolled her eyes. ‘Have you forgotten I installed you as the manager for the last six months after I took off to Melbourne? You don’t have to be here physically to run the shop. There are good, reliable people in town who’d do right by you if you hired them. That way, you could explore this thing with Jem and have something to come back to.’
Her friend’s logic gave her hope. But it quickly turned to despair with one glaring realisation.
Jem didn’t want her.
‘You have this all figured out.’
Rayne laughed at her dry response. ‘Just food for thought. Now, let’s toast to your success.’
As they topped up their mugs with champagne, Heidi was glad she’d unburdened herself to her best friend, but despite Rayne’s sound advice she was no closer to a solution.
CHAPTER
41
Inviting Karly to accompany him to the youth housing centre had been a dumb idea.
What had Hudson been thinking?
He hadn’t and that was the problem. The moment he laid eyes on her he’d lost his mind. Couldn’t keep his hands off her. The kicker? She’d been the same. They’d pounced on each other like a couple of love-starved teens. The sex had been fast and furious. He’d never be able to work on that desk again without remembering her on it.
But it had been afterwards, hugging her, when he’d really lost it and asked her along. She must’ve seen how angsty he’d been to get to his meeting with Rowan because she’d suggested they eat afterwards, so after a quick stop at a drive-through where she ordered a serving of hot chips and a lemonade to tide her over, they arrived at the youth housing centre in Carlton.
‘You’re meeting your dad here?’ She looked around in surprise, her gaze lingering on some kids shooting hoops on a half-size basketball court, a few skateboarding along makeshift ramps. ‘What is this place?’
‘It’s emergency accommodation for homeless youth. My pet project.’
Understanding lit her eyes. ‘Your way of giving back?’
‘Something like that.’ He glimpsed Stella near the front door, surrounded by three girls vying for her attention.
He’d been like that once, eager for someone, anyone, to pay him attention. To see through his bravado to the pain beneath. To offer him stability in a world turned upside down when he’d lost the only home he’d ever known, his father and his mother all within the space of a few months.
‘That’s admirable,’ she said, touching his arm, and he refrained from shrugging her off, just. He didn’t need her admiration. He needed her agency so he could get more investors onboard.
‘This is why I need to get the deal done on acquiring your agency ASAP. I need funding for three more centres exactly like this, maybe more, and to do that I need to present a broad portfolio to the new investors I’m hoping to woo in eastern Victoria.’
He couldn’t fathom her expression—part horror, part pity—but before he could figure it out, he glimpsed Rowan on the footpath opposite making a beeline for the centre.
‘My dad’s here,’ he said, pointing at the man approaching. ‘This shouldn’t take long. Do you mind waiting in the car?’
‘Sure.’ She leaned over the console and placed a soft, reassuring kiss on his lips. ‘Good luck.’