Page 44 of Things We Need to Say (Second Chance Love Stories #2)

Jay should be feeling over the moon. Winning the competition was a massive achievement and more than he ever could have expected when he first entered. But something wasn’t right, or should he say someone . That left him feeling deeply unsettled.

Ever since the day of the competition, Emma had been off with him.

On the surface she was bright and cheery.

But there was a distance between them that he couldn’t breach.

Whenever he asked her what was wrong, as he had done several times over the last few days, she denied that anything was the matter.

Perhaps he’d pushed her too far over the last few months.

He had got so caught up in the competition and the people taking part that he’d neglected the people he cared most about.

‘Are you okay, Jay? You seem a bit quiet,’ Liz asked as they were preparing for a function.

‘I’ve got a lot on my mind.’

‘The aftermath of the competition?’

‘Yes, you could say that.’ He sighed and decided to ask Liz. She would know what to do. ‘Do you know what’s wrong with Emma?’

‘Emma?’

‘Yes. Ever since the banquet she’s been very distant with me.’

‘Um . . .’

‘So you do know.’

‘Yes, Jay. I’m afraid I do. It’s Chloe.’

‘Chloe?’ Jay looked puzzled.

‘Yes. It was obvious at the banquet that you’re very close.’

‘There’s nothing between us.’ He was quick to defend himself, while at the same time realising how stupid he’d been.

Yes, he’d seen the way that Chloe sometimes looked at him, and how often she put her hand on his arm, but he’d deluded himself into thinking it was the impact of the competition.

But what if there were feelings there? From Chloe’s side anyway.

And what if the way he had behaved had led her to think there could be something between them?

Liz was staring at him silently, waiting for an explanation.

‘I admit, we did bond during the competition and I do admire her. We get on really well, and she’s an amazing chef, but it’s all perfectly innocent. ’

‘Maybe it is at the moment. But I saw the way you were with each other and Emma saw it too. It wouldn’t take much for things to change.’

‘Well, that’s not going to happen.’

‘It might if you’re working together. You said you wanted her to provide cover during my maternity leave.’

‘I know. And she seemed really keen, but...’ He paused.

‘I’m still happy to meet her if you think she’s the right person for the job, but you need to think very seriously about the implications of that.

If you have feelings for Chloe, then you’ll need to come clean to Emma.

There’s no way your relationship with her can survive if you’re working with Chloe under those circumstances.

And if Chloe has feelings for you and they are not reciprocated, you need to set your boundaries. ’

‘Yes, I can see what you mean.’

‘Like I said, I’m happy to interview her, based solely on her skills. The rest you will need to deal with. But please remember that Emma is my friend too, and I don’t want her to be hurt any more than she has to be.’

Jay concentrated on chopping onions. He couldn’t look Liz in the eye. What a mess he had got himself into. He’d have to speak to Chloe and take it from there.

‘Oh, Liz, I’ve been such a fool. I never meant to hurt Emma, it’s her I want to be with, not Chloe. I’m just going to have to convince her of that, but I can’t imagine that’s going to be easy.’

‘No, Jay, I can’t imagine it will.’