“Do you sail?” Will asked.
“I’d love the opportunity.” It was a phrase she used to show her interest and mask a childhood that had prevented her from taking advantage of activities many took for granted.
“Can you follow instructions and wind a winch?”
“Possibly to the first and yes to the second.”
He grinned, his smile endearingly crooked. “Great. We’re short-handed for tonight’s twilight race, if you’re up for it.”
“Who’s we?”
“Nick Pirelli and me.”
“I’d love to come.”
For the first time in her life, Jess truly believed the universe was smiling on her.
Now Jess pulled the blanket more tightly around her, trying to ward off not only the chill, but the loneliness that had been walking alongside her for months. She considered eating dinner, but she wasn’t hungry. That was probably a good thing. Lately, no matter if she ate healthy food or binged on junk, everything seemed to go straight to her belly. Was that part of being thirty-four? She must get back to regular exercise, but the thought of walking and running reminded her of Libby and the loneliness intensified. No, she needed to do some exercise that didn’t remind her of Libby. Yoga? A strong core helped, so maybe she should start with some sit-ups right now.
Jess unwrapped herself and spread the blanket on the floor to cushion the hard boards and lay on her back. She stretched her arms up toward her knees but her stomach felt in the way. She sucked it in and focused on her core. Lifting her shoulders off the floor, she started counting. “One, two, three. Sweet mother—!”
A sharp and twisting spasm started just above her pubic bone and ricocheted with lightning speed into her groin before blasting out of her into the floor. It immobilized her, stealing her breath and sending stars dancing across her vision. When it finally faded, she blew out a long, slow breath, gingerly rolled onto all fours and gradually stood up. She poured herself another drink, rationalizing it was medicinal. Still tender—it felt as if someone had punched her—she snuggled back on the couch and gave herself over to the delicious rum haze. It was like drifting with Will in an inner tube on a warm current.
I love you just the way you are. Will’s words made her smile. Whenever she obsessed about a few extra kilos, he always said soppy stuff like that. With his shaved head and weight-toned muscles from staving off boredom at the drilling platform’s gym, he might look like a tough nut, but he was far more puppy than wolf. With everything that had been going on, Jess hadn’t spoken to him recently. Was this an offshore two-week stint or an onshore one? She sent him a message—I need some Will—and watched for the three wiggly dots, anticipating his reply.
Her phone rang, vibrating in her hand and making her jump. “Hi, Will.” Her voice sounded loud in her ears.
“Hey, Jess. You okay?”
“I’m freezing. Come over and warm me up.”
“I thought we’d stopped doing drunk booty calls.”
She wound hair around her fingers. “I’m not drunk. I just miss you. It’s been ages.”
“Whose fault’s that?”
Her rum buzz told her he was just being playful. “My bad.”
He sighed. “You’re calling me because of all this shit with Nick and Libby, aren’t you?”
“No! And it’s not like I haven’t spoken to you since—” Everything went to hell. “—I’m calling because I miss you.”
He gave a long sigh. “Come on, Jess. After everything that’s happened, can’t you at least be honest with me?”
“I am being honest. I miss my mate.”
“And that’s always been the problem.” The loaded silence was filled with his hurt and disappointment. Eventually, he cleared his throat. “Remember that woman I told you about?”
The rum had reached her brain, fuddling her thoughts. “Remind me again.”
“Casey.”
“Have I met her?” Over the years, whenever she and Will were on one of their many breaks, he would introduce her to his girlfriends. She found it reassuring. “She’s not the one obsessed with cats, is she?”
“That was Jasmine and two cats is hardly an obsession.”
“If you say so.”
“The important thing is, Casey and I are serious.”
Jess had heard Will tell her “it’s serious” half-a-dozen times. The statement was always followed by a “but” and then came the detailed explanation of his concerns. The conversation always ended with her telling him that when he met The One, they wouldn’t be having this conversation. Invariably, they ended up in bed. Her fingers tingled with the tell-tale sign of chilblains—a sensation she hadn’t experienced since she was a kid.
“… best. I’m moving to Sale.”
Jess had been so busy trying to stay warm that she’d missed hearing Will’s problem with Casey. She grasped at something to cover. “Um, but you’ve got a beautiful house here.”
“It’s being listed at the end of the week.”
“But you hate Sale.”
“I don’t hate Sale. I was born there.” Will’s voice was unusually firm.
“Why would you move and give up that gorgeous view? It sounds like Casey’s putting a lot of pressure on you. Don’t rush things you might regret, especially when all your friends are here.”
“Jess.” His sigh reverberated down the line. “Are you really going to make me spell it out?”
The first ripples of unease fluttered in the pit of her stomach. “Is it because Sale’s closer to Longford?”
“No. It’s because it’s two hours away from you.”
The words walloped her like the burning sting of one of Linda’s lover’s belts. Her thoughts staggered under the assault. “Will—”
“I want to give this thing with Casey my best shot. I can’t do that with you in my life.”
“Of course you can. We’re friends!”
“We’re not.”
“Don’t be ridiculous—”
“I’m not. You only ever dated me because I’m Nick’s mate.”
“That’s not true and you
