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Jasper looked surprised to see me but gave me a genuine smile, rather than looking horrified. “Hey,” he said. “I think—”
He didn’t get chance to finish. He stared over my shoulder, and his words stalled.
Behind me, Cindy said, “Jassy. Thank God. I need to talk to you. In private.“
That was my cue to go.
Holly followed me outside. “Wait up, Caitlin.” She touched my elbow, and I turned to look at her. “Thanks for looking after Jas last night. I hope it wasn’t too much of a pain, having a surprise guest.”
If only all guests delivered orgasms like that.
I dragged my focus back to the conversation and shrugged. “It was fine. No biggie.” Curiosity about Cindy burned in my gut, and I couldn’t resist asking, “Cindy is his ex, right? Were they together long?”
“I’m not sure. I only moved back here when he crashed his car, and they’d broken up by then. Maybe a year?”
“She seems nice.”
Holly made a snorting noise. “She’s a manipulative bitch. Oops. That came out a bit harsh.” Her lips curved up. “No, I was right first time. Jasper is a classic example of someone with Galahad Syndrome. He can’t stop himself from rescuing damsels in distress. Cindy. Steph. The dogs.”
“Steph? Another ex?”
“Yeah. No. It’s complicated.”
We stood under the overhang, out of the drizzle and also out of earshot. Holly didn’t seem to think it odd that I was interrogating her about Jasper. Did she guess how I felt about him? It was academic.
“It took a long time before I found the right guy.” She sounded thoughtful, her eyes dreamy. “I want Jas to do the same. The right girl, though. He’s not into guys.”
I couldn’t resist smirking. I could confirm, if asked, that Jasper was definitely into girls, but I wouldn’t say anything to his sister.
The rain looked as though it might be easing. It was a good time to leave. “I’m cutting my holiday short and going back to Wellington, by the way. I didn’t tell you, but I’ve found a new unit. Thanks for all your help yesterday. I appreciate it. I’ll move my stuff out as soon as I can.”
“That’s a shame. I was hoping to get to know you better.” She pulled a funny face. “I’m thrilled you found somewhere, though, and so quickly. Maybe we could celebrate tonight? Go out for drinks or something to eat?”
Spend another evening with Jasper? No, thank you. It was hard enough, seeing him when he walked in. I couldn’t pretend he didn’t mean anything to me; I wasn’t that good an actress. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. I’m busy.”
Holly stared at me, and I was convinced she saw through my lie. “What did my idiot brother do?”
“Nothing,” I said, quickly.
“He stayed with you last night, but you came home separately. Did he disappear for a hookup or something?”
There was nothing I could say without combusting from embarrassment. My cheeks burned already, and Holly must have seen them.
“Did you and he—?” Her voice rose, her astonishment clear. I clapped my hands to my face, in a faint attempt to cover the flush, and she grinned. “You did. I’m surprised. You’re totally not his type. But hey, what do I know?”
As if I didn’t know that. I was seeking my escape route, but I’d have to push past Holly to do that. I should shut up, but my voice didn’t get the memo. “I know. Look at me. Just as well the lights were out.” I huffed a laugh I didn’t feel.
“What?” Holly smacked her forehead. “I didn’t mean like that. He normally goes for the dizzy blondes, the broken ones that need fixing. You’ve got brains, Caitlin. You’re smart.” She gave me a hug. “You’re confident and sassy, and you don’t need anyone to swoop in and rescue you.”
Jasper thought I did when he first found me on the beach. Maybe that was all I was—someone else who needed fixing?
There were things I’d regret about this trip, and Holly was one of them. I’d like to be friends with her, if things were different. If I hadn’t slept with her brother and made an idiot of myself. Standing on her doorstep, I didn’t know whether to shake her hand to say goodbye, hug her, or walk away. I chose the latter.
I needed an hour to pack my bags and tidy up, and then I’d go back to my real life. If only I could pack thoughts of Jasper away as neatly—fold up the memory of our night together and squeeze it into a tiny box, to be opened on rare occasions.
I gazed at the sea in the distance and thought of Cindy. Why did she need to see Jasper so urgently? And why did I care? I swiped at my face, at the sudden dampness on my cheeks. Sea spray. I wasn’t crying.
It didn’t take long to gather my stuff. As I worked, I forced myself to think about the lovely new location I was moving into. The advertising I needed to do. The cutesy Instagram posts. Maybe a new range of cupcakes? A theme?
I had a missed call on my phone. The number shown was that of this morning’s real-estate agent. I was about to call him back, when a voicemail popped up.
“Ms. Mortimer, this is Adrian from MB Property. Please call me back as soon as you can. Thank you.” His tone suggested this wasn’t good news.
I pressed the dial button, and as it connected, someone knocked on the door. Seeing Jasper was a shock, but I couldn’t turn him away. I let Jasper into the kitchen at the same time as the voice in my ear said hello. I held up a warning finger and wiggled the phone.
He nodded and stood there frowning at me.
“Adrian.” I made my voice bright. “This is Caitlin Mortimer. You asked me to call you back.”
“Ah. Caitlin.” He sighed, and alarm prickled my nerves. “I have bad news. The unit you viewed this morning is no longer available. I’m sorry.”
His words made no sense. It was fine a few hours ago. What could have changed? “I don’t understand.”
“The owner changed his mind about renting. He’s had an offer to sell and withdrew the property. I can only apologize for any inconvenience. If you’d like to look at anything else on our books, let me know.”
“Right. Thank you.” —The fuck? I dropped into the nearest chair and laid my phone on the table. In that second, I could have happily thrown it into the sea, but that would be dumb.
“You okay?” Jasper took a seat beside me, and I gazed at him. I’d forgotten he was there. What else was going to happen this weekend? Rage simmered inside. I’d lost my business, come face to face with a giant cockroach, and slept with an angel. And it was only Sunday afternoon.
“I thought I had a new property, but it was pulled at the last minute.” I groaned and sank my head into my hands. “Fuuuuuck.”
“Shit. I’m sorry.” He rested a hand on the back of my neck, and I froze.
“What are you doing here, Jassy?” I sat up straight and twisted away from him, so his hand fell to his side.
“I want to apologize. I was an ass this morning.”
“Yes, you were.”
“So this is me, apologizing.” His tone was deadly serious. “I’m sorry I was rude and stormed out.”
“Me too.” I echoed his words from earlier.
“Hol says you’re cutting your break short. Can I persuade you to stay?”
Despite the bad news and disappointments, a tendril of hope unfurled inside me. He wanted me to stay. Wanted to see me again? Did he sense the spark between us?
“I don’t know,” I whispered, my voice deserting me. “Can you?”
“We’ve barely started on your exercise plan.”
The exercise that sprang to mind was another vigorous workout between the sheets, but doubt assailed me. “Go on.”
“I promised I could get you fit.”
Yup. He meant jogging and stuff.
I had nothing to lose by being blunt. “You’re not thinking of anything else? Last night was good.”
Jasper dropped his gaze, finding a sudden interest in the grain of the tabletop. He rubbed at the lines absently with one finger, and that was all the answer I needed.
“I think you’d better go,” I said.