Page 34 of Chasing Blue

“Surprise me,” Jules responds.

As we reach her car, she presses the fob to unlock it, and I open the door for her to step inside. Instead, as she gets level with me, Jules reaches up and wraps her arms around my neck. I move my hands to her waist to ease her away, instead, she pulls herself closer.

“Careful, I don’t wanna be upsetting the neighbours by pashing in the street before we even open,” I warn.

She laughs, and I expect her to say something. Instead, she catches me totally unawares when she moves in and kisses me. For a split second, I’m stunned into inaction. Panicking that Scarlett might be watching us. When I do pull away, I blurt, “See you tonight, text and let me know what you wanna eat, and I’ll book us a table somewhere.” I don’t give her a chance to respond before I turn and jog back inside.

* * *

Scarlett’sat the bar with her laptop bag in hand and the little bag she wears across her body in place when I walk in.

“I need to go,” she says without looking at me. I know she’s pissed off just from the sound of her voice. “I’ll leave you with the mood board to look over, let me know if there’s anything that doesn’t work for you,” she continues. Still not making eye contact.

“Can you hang around for a bit? We need to talk.”

Her eyes finally meet mine, and I know instantly that I’ve fucked up massively. She’s completely closed off, giving me nothing.

“I really can’t. I have another client to see at three. I’ll check my diary and reschedule to run through the restaurant with you next week. We’ll get everything signed off then,” she says all business-like.

As she starts moving towards the door, I rush to think of a way to delay her so I can say what I need to but come up with nothing.

As a last resort, I grab her arm, stopping her. I know it’s wrong. I know if someone grabbed my sister that way, I’d smash the fucker, but I do it, and I don’t let go. She pauses but doesn’t look at me, instead, staring down at my hand wrapped around her upper arm.

“Just give me five minutes, Scar?” I ask quietly. “I really think we need to . . .” I’m interrupted by my phone vibrating on the bar as a text comes through. We both turn to look at it.

Jules:Can’t wait for tonight xxx

My heartfree falls into my gut as Scarlett shakes herself from my grip, calling out, “I’ll be in touch next week,” as she reaches the door.

I’ve lost this battle, but I’m not gonna lose the war this time around. I’ve got feelings for this girl. Some of which I’ve been holding onto for years, and I don’t plan on letting her go until we’ve sorted our way through them.

“We’ll talk then, Scarlett. I’m not letting this go. That message isn’t what you think.”

She finally turns and looks at me.

‘I don’t care, Jack,” she says quietly, and I wish in that moment that she’d remained closed off because the hurt and defeat apparent in her eyes and voice feel like a hot knife slicing through my chest.

“I’m just your interior designer. What you do in your personal time has fuck all to do with me.”

I shake my head. “You’re wrong.”

“Fuck off, not interested,” she calls. Flipping her middle finger behind her back and leaving me standing there feeling like that massive dick I profess not to be.

I smile at Scarlett’s finger flip, rake my own fingers through my hair, and drag them over my face, undecided as to whether I want to laugh or cry at the mess I’ve created.

But first of all, I’m going to call my sister and find out why the fuck she sent Jules here this afternoon.

CHAPTER9

Scarlett.

My lips trembleas I walk to my car, and I fucking hate myself for being so weak.

I hate me, him, and this whole fucked up situation.

He’snothing.We’renothing.

So why am I so affected?