It didn’t take rocket science to figure out what Luke and I were doing in front of a hotel in our evening wear at nine in the morning, especially with Luke’s arm wrapped around me.
While I was wondering if Jack was going to acknowledge me, he nodded ever so slightly, looking so disappointed in me that I couldn’t help but cringe.
‘Nina?’ came Luke’s voice. ‘You okay?’
‘Never better,’ I assured him as I straightened and crossed the road on his arm, all the while feeling Jack’s disapproving eyes boring into my back.
28
The Secret Of My Success
‘So, how’s your dad?’ I asked Alice back at the house as she sipped her tea and reached out for a Hobnob. I had slipped back into a pair of jeans, trying to look like I’d been there all night for when the kids woke up, still trying to get over the encounter with Jack. I should have still been overwhelmed by my night with Luke, but all I could think of was how I’d disappointed a friend.
It had saddened me to think that my friends didn’t approve of my choices, especially when I always supported them in theirs. I knew nothing about his new flame, or even Emma’s secret bloke, for that matter, but I didn’t pry or judge. When they were ready to tell me who they had hooked up with, I would happily accept them within our circle in the hope that they would do the same with Luke. I just wanted everyone to be happy, and somehow I felt that it wasn’t like that for Jack and Emma anymore.
‘Never mind my dad, tell me about last night,’ she hissed as Luke wandered around in the front garden, framed by the French windows. He was truly beautiful, with his sandy blond hair and all-American looks. ‘You spent the night with him, and all you can talk about is my ninety-year-old dad?’
I shrugged, feeling myself blush. ‘It’s nice to have someone around the house.’
Alice gawped at me. ‘Nice? Sweetie, you had the most desired man on the planet in bed with you, not to mention living under your roof, and all you can say is nice?’
I shrugged. ‘It was more than that, of course. Luke is a good bloke. He’s a lot of fun, and kind.’
‘But?’
‘There are no buts. It’s just that we don’t know where this is going, nor how long it will last. And I don’t want our whole world to be shattered all over again.’
‘Except for in between the sheets,’ she cackled in delight. ‘What does he say?’
‘I’m taking each day as it comes.’
‘Good girl. You do that. But keep him on a short leash, just in case.’
‘A short leash?’
‘Yeah – make sure he doesn’t go too far or too long without you. You want to be a part of his life now. Do you and his kid get along?’
‘Jessica? She’s a dream.’
‘Fantastic. You want to make sure she likes you enough to see her as her new mum.’
I shook my head. ‘Alice, you’re going too fast for me. I’ve only just got back on my feet. Technically, I’m not even divorced yet. Plus I don’t know what’s going to happen when the script is finished.’
‘Then write a sequel while he’s in your clutches. God knows you could use the money.’
‘Actually, I’ll be happy if we get to the end of this one without killing each other.’
‘Still having problems?’
I shrugged. ‘He’s extremely headstrong. He’s not easily swayed. This husband’s point of view thing risks changing the story completely.’
‘Don’t you trust his talent?’
‘Oh, he’s a very good storyteller.’
At that, she laughed. ‘I can just see it in the papers: “Luke O’Hara and novelist Nina Conte tie the knot in Cornwall”.’
I snorted coffee through my nose. ‘As if. But please keep this to yourself, Alice…’
‘Mark my words. The only way for Luke to get rid of his bad-boy reputation is to marry a nice girl like you. It would make a perfect story.’
‘Promise me, Alice. Your absolute discretion.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘All right, but I’ll be back on your case very soon. People want to know about Luke’s love life. And it would sky-rocket your book sales, not to mention the movie. Imagine – staid novelist hooks up with the actor who made her book dream come true by turning it into a movie. It just doesn’t get any better, Nina!’
There it was again, the word that described me best, according to everyone. Staid. Which implied that I was incapable of having wild fun. Which, of course, was true. I had already done the wild college thing. And now? Not so much. Now I needed to concentrate on being a good example to my children, and to teach them to believe in themselves at all times. Even if I, I must admit, didn’t practise what I preached. The look in Jack’s eyes was proof of that.
‘What’s he really like? The real Luke?’
I thought about it. ‘He’s kind. Intuitive. Fiercely fond of his daughter. But, you know… I get this feeling.’
‘Yes?’
I shrugged. ‘I get this feeling that he… wants out of Hollywood or something. That sooner rather than later he’ll leave.’
‘Leave? He’d be a fool. Hollywood loves him.’
‘Well, he said he’d be interested in scripting the other books too if this movie does well.’
Her mouth fell open. ‘And you tell me that only now?’
‘There’s nothing to tell. It was just a conversation.’
‘Oh my Lord in Heaven, we’re in the money, honey!’ she cried.
‘Easy, Alice. We need to see how Written In The Stars goes first, yes?’
Alice got to her feet. ‘It will be a blockbuster, Nina, trust me. And now, I have to get back to London. Keep me posted, will you?’
‘Ah, okay. Remember your promise.’
‘Yes, all right.’
‘And thanks for babysitting.’
‘Thank you for your cannelloni. If you weren’t going to be the next Nancy Meyers, I’d suggest you opening a restaurant. See you next
