Something Borrowed

by Louisa George

  She pulled out her laptop and loaded the photos. On the larger screen, they were very good. He tugged the machine towards him and made a few clicks. ‘See, if you crop this one, it pulls the table flowers into focus. And this one… look, the movie backdrop with the yellow brick road swerving off to the right draws your eyes. You could have your logo up there at the top where the road ends.’

  Chloe dragged up a chair and sat next to him, mesmerised by his hands as he worked. They were large hands, solid and safe with a history she knew nothing about. A history she suddenly was desperate to learn. ‘You’re avoiding telling me the story, aren’t you?’

  His eyes were kind but still guarded. ‘Nothing gets past you, does it? Chloe, this isn’t the time. But safe to say, I’m not a great bet when it comes to relationships. So, in case… you know, the friends thing and the dancing? I don’t do long term.’ He patted his chest over his heart. ‘Scarred for life, I’m afraid.’

  Loved and lost. Her heart squeezed a little, but instead of being disappointed, her estimation of him increased tenfold. He was at least honest, as she’d imagined he would be. And that made everything a million times worse. Because the better he became, the higher her chance was of actually liking him. She did not want to like Vaughn Brooks. ‘You’re like Jenna.’

  ‘Possibly.’

  ‘She won’t take any more risks either.’

  He frowned again. ‘It’s not about taking risks. It’s about…’ He ran a hand through his hair and grimaced. ‘It’s about taking risks.’

  ‘And you’re telling me this, why?’

  ‘Self-protection, really.’ Well, geez, the man was definitely honest, which made it even more dangerous to be with him. She didn’t know much about honest men; she was realising. ‘And for your own good.’

  ‘Thank you, but it’s fine. Really. I’m not looking for anything either. I’m through with love. Completely. In fact, I’d go as far as to say I don’t believe in it.’

  ‘Really?’ He actually looked affronted.

  She tried to explain. ‘Okay, hear me out on this. How can love be such a great thing if it tears you up inside? If it breaks your heart?’

  ‘Then it wasn’t love. Not a true kind of love. That’s got to come from both sides. One plus one makes a whole lot more than two. It makes a whole world.’

  ‘Well, wow.’ He’d had that, she guessed, an all-consuming, giving and taking, non-selfish love. That once in a lifetime thing. ‘I lucked out then. What with the curse and everything. I don’t even want to try to find it.’

  ‘So you say.’ He made a few more clicks of the mouse and cropped a photo of the wedding cake and copied and pasted it onto a mock-up of a business flyer. Then he rotated it a few degrees sideways. ‘Hence the online dating thing?’

  ‘Don’t make things sound more complicated than they are. I just needed a wedding date, and you know why.’ The man was a marvel at Photoshop or crop or whatever it was. But it was all just hedging. She tried to sound casual and light but failed as her voice wobbled and came out high-pitched and a little intense. ‘And… the Lost Love?’

  His hand froze over the touchpad. ‘Lost love?

  ‘Sorry, the relationship that didn’t work out the way you hoped it would?’

  His fingers tensed, and as she watched, that tension spiral through his arm, his shoulder and his jaw, and he looked so devastated, she regretted pushing him. Because whatever he was going to say, she didn’t want to hear come from his mouth. ‘No more questions now, Chloe, okay? But yeah… she died.’

  And that bombshell was meant to stop her asking more questions? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t imagined that would be the case. Who would have gone to such an extent to purge themselves, as he had done? Travelling the world, immersing himself in his business and making sure there were no connections made. Oh, and the whole scarred heart thing.

  ‘So, you are like Jenna then. You two have a lot in common.’

  ‘Not something I want to have in common with anyone.’ She could see he’d closed down and shut himself off emotionally. He hadn’t wanted to talk about it, and she’d pushed him too far.

  ‘No, of course not. I’m sorry. I just meant, she’d understand.’

  ‘I don’t think anyone does, Chloe, not really.’

  They sat for a few minutes staring at the computer screen in silence, yet seeing nothing except maybe a little deeper into territory it was probably inadvisable to explore. And Chloe wondered what it was like to have loved someone so utterly that it meant you weren’t willing to give even a part of yourself up in case the same thing happened again.

  She realised now that, whilst she’d thought she’d loved Jason, it had been more a familiar love than a desperate, soul-mate kind of thing. At a young age, she’d decided he’d do, and they’d got on with it.

  Part of her yearned for that kind of once in a lifetime connection, but the sensible part of her knew it was uplifting and fulfilling and ultimately, possibly, damaging—if it didn’t work out well. Like Jenna. And her Mum. And Vaughn. All of whom had decided to have an unfulfilled life rather than risk it all again.

  He shrugged, seemingly dispelling the cloak of poignancy that shrouded him. ‘Right, let’s talk about my proposition?’

  ‘Okay. Are you sure you want to still make it, given that neither of us are keen for… anything?’ God, the lies were pouring out of her now. She was keen for a kiss. Did that make her shallow? She wanted to kiss away the pain that had clouded his eyes at the mention of his woman’s death, to soothe the crack in his voice.

  ‘Yes, this is purely business, Chloe. I’m in the market for an administration person, as you know, and you need some cash flow. So, I wondered whether you’d be willing to take on the task until I can find someone permanent?’

  ‘You’re offering me a temp job?’ Now she just felt ridiculous. Of course it was about work; he wasn’t going to make a proposition about… that. ‘You’re offering me a temp job that has nothing to do with event planning?’

  ‘It has everything to do with event planning. I have daily phone calls from people wanting to hire my restaurant. Even yesterday I had a call from a film company wanting to use it as part of a set, but I’m juggling the phones and the cooking. I haven’t had time to look for someone to take over. I’m too busy. It’s a classic chicken-egg scenario. I need someone to help me find more time, but I haven’t the time to look for them.’

  He paused and weighed up her reaction, which she was trying to hide under a smile she’d plastered onto her lips as she nodded for him to continue. He’d told her he didn’t want complicated, but surely working with him would make things a zillion times more complicated, especially when being in the same room as him made her want to kiss him, to lay her head against his chest and breathe in the strength and calm he exuded.

  ‘The way I see it, it makes sense, Chloe. I’m too busy with the restaurant, and you’re having a lull. Just for a month or so? It’ll give you easy cash, and you can work on your business from my office—once you tidy it—if you need to, and find me a permanent member of staff at the same time.’

  ‘I don’t know. I really don’t want to work in a restaurant; that’s not what I had in mind.’

  His gaze met hers and held there for a few moments. When she didn’t agree or turn away, he shook his head. ‘Okay, well, it was just an idea. But now I really do need to shoot because I’ve left Jacques in charge and I don’t want to do it too often. Think about it, at least?’

  ‘Okay, okay, I will.’ Beggars can’t be choosers, as her mum had said. She walked him to the door and held it open as he stepped through, taking a little of her heart with him. Because, even though the special people in her life were all about protecting their own hearts, Chloe had a bad feeling that hers had a mind of its own and was hell bent on falling for the totally wrong kind of person.

  The kind that just couldn’t fall for her.

  CHAPTER 14

  ‘SO, is that it? You’re giving up on Something Bo
rrowed? On us?’ Jenna’s voice, down the phone, sounded exasperated and tired. ‘Mum said he was round last evening, all smiles and beautiful eyes.’

  Chloe took a deep breath. Discussing this was only going to add more resentment. After twenty-four hours of thinking things over, she had decided to take Vaughn up on his offer. Spurred largely by the telephone call from her bank manager yesterday refusing an increase in the overdraft. She was going to work on his business because she couldn’t afford to work on her own. Yeah, a classic chicken-egg thing, indeed. ‘Don’t be silly. I’m still 100 per cent committed to our business. I’m just helping him out. It’s only temporary.’

  ‘But you might learn to love it. You might never want to work with us again. Mum also said that when you came round to pick up the curtain tie-backs, you barely said a word. That you didn’t stay for a cuppa, or want to chat.’ Her sister’s voice rose a little. ‘Are you going off us, is that it? Because, Chloe, Mum knows things aren’t right. You just have to give her a chance to explain.’

  ‘I will, I promise. I just didn’t feel like talking much last night. I was tired, and she was watching Ghost Hunters. It didn’t seem like the right time to nut out something so personal as what the heck happened to Daddy.’ Truth be known, Chloe was reeling from the strange feelings Vaughn instilled in her and worrying about having this conversation. ‘You must know you are my priority. The business is my priority. I’m still going to be working with you and Mum. Something Borrowed is always going to be the most important thing to me, after you and Evie. And Mum, obviously. I just need…’ To pay the bills. ‘To fill my time and flex my administrative muscles. This is a good opportunity to keep my skills up to date.’

  ‘But you won’t be able to spend any extra time growing our business.’

  ‘The one I spend every waking hour on?’ And some sleeping ones. When she wasn’t having food-porn dreams. ‘Oh, don’t worry, I will. I’ll make sure of it. And Vaughn’s got some great ideas and is going to help me design a flyer for the wedding fayre.’

  ‘Vaughn. Vaughn. Vaughn. What’s going on there, Chlo? What’s with the sudden interest? I thought you were sworn off men?’

  ‘I am, and it’s not like that between us.’ Just like that, another lie; they were coming thick and fast and tripped off her lips with ease these days. ‘Besides which, the Love Plan was your idea in the first place. What was all that about if you didn’t want me to find someone?’

  ‘I do. But not Vaughn. He’s… grumpy. And too close to Jason, who broke your heart.’

  ‘Trust me, Jenna. There will not be another heart breaking. Not for me and definitely not by Vaughn. He seems quite decent, actually, underneath it all. He doesn’t want any involvement; he’s not interested in me like that. We’re friends, which is nice. And, bottom line, it’s a temporary job. It’s money in the bank, not a bloody marriage proposal.’

  ‘Here I am, reporting for duty, sir.’ Chloe walked through the restaurant doors, breathing in the delicious smells of garlic and cinnamon and cumin. At least, that was what she thought they were. In truth, it could have been parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, for all she knew.

  ‘Excellent. Er… I’ll give you a proper tour this time.’ Once again, in his own environment, Vaughn seemed a little distracted. He was, she mused, very dedicated to his business and creating mouth-watering gems for the public. She followed him into the sparkling, pristine, industrial kitchen, relieved to see there was an order and pride here that he clearly didn’t have for bits of paper. They would make a good team because she did paper very well.

  ‘The kitchen. As you can see, we’ve already started prep.’ He pointed to the stacks of vegetables sitting on kitchen paper. ‘Salting the aubergines before I roast them. If you get hungry or thirsty, please help yourself to things from this fridge here. This is for staff use. That one’—he pointed to a huge stainless steel industrial fridge—‘is for restaurant use only. Do not touch it.’

  Touch it? She could barely breathe at the sight of it. Her dreams came back to her in full sensual replay. Heat shimmied through her, scooting through her veins, melting into her gut. Her breath caught in her throat. Yep, that was pretty much the whole food-porn fridge, right there.

  Frightened he might see something of it in her eyes, she turned away. This was a huge mistake. How could she work here with him, so close, and yet be lukewarm in her reactions to him?

  ‘Hungry?’ He smiled. ‘I could fix you something?’

  ‘No. Not at all. Let’s just get on with what needs to be done. I’ve decided to work three days a week for you. Will that be enough to tide you over?’ She’d calculated the minimum she needed to bring in and would work for that. Stuck between appeasing Jenna and helping Vaughn, she was willing to compromise. ‘I do need to work on my business too.’

  His smile faded. ‘I was hoping for something more full-time.’

  ‘I can’t. It’s that or nothing, I’m afraid. I’m squeezing my time as it is.’

  ‘Okay. Then let’s make a start. If I only get you for a few hours, I need to make the most of you.’ And did his eyes glitter just a little as his smile found its way back?

  Two hours later, he stalked into the office, bringing with him a morning tea snack of freshly baked and still warm scones, real butter, what looked like homemade jam and a large pot of coffee. ‘Break time. How’s it all going?’

  Chloe looked around at the organised piles she’d carved through his chaos. ‘I’ve managed to file most things into some kind of order, and I’m making my way through the urgent invoices. Did you know you spend a phenomenal amount of money on laundry?’

  ‘It’s a necessity.’

  ‘I appreciate that, but can’t you shop around for better quotes? These seem a little over the top.’

  His eyebrows furrowed. ‘I could. But I don’t have time. Could you?’

  She nodded. ‘I’ll add it to my ever-growing list.’

  ‘Excellent.’ He plunged the coffee, poured and handed her a cup. ‘How’s your business going?’

  ‘Hmmm. The wedding on Saturday should help. Actually, they live close to here. If you want, I could make some recommendations for you? Slip this restaurant into the conversation? Have you got some more business cards? I could add them to the gift packs on the sly? Just drop them in.’

  ‘Er… no. We need to order some more? I use Printworks—’

  ‘I’ll add it to the list. Consider it done.’

  ‘Excellent. Now eat.’ He pushed the plate towards her.

  ‘Wow.’ She looked at her thin frame, which wasn’t as thin as it had been. ‘If you keep bringing me food, I’m going to be the size of a horse. Jason used to say I was getting chubby—’

  ‘Don’t talk about Jason.’ It wasn’t a suggestion. It was an order. What the hell? He stared at her, clearly surprised at his own vehemence. Then checked himself. ‘By which I mean, you can talk about anything or anyone you like, Chloe. And you can damned well eat what you like too.’

  ‘Yes. Yes, I can.’ So she did. A scone with cream and jam. Then another one, and they were melt-in-the-mouth soft and sweet. The coffee was brewed to perfection, strong and earthy. He watched with a wry smile as she drained the last drop. ‘That was definitely what I needed.’

  ‘You looked as if you were enjoying it.’ And there—right there in his eyes—was the heat and the need mirrored back at her. It was more erotic than the food-porn dream. Although, it was a close run thing.

  Oblivious to anything else, they sat there grinning at each other for a few moments. God knew what was going on in his head, but in Chloe’s, there was a running commentary. He’s so bloody gorgeous. Those eyes, dark and mysterious, yet honest and open. Those hands. God, those hands… the things they could do. The feelings they induced. And his breathing seems a bit fast. Is it? Is his breathing as fast as mine? And God…

  He drew his eyes away and picked up his coffee cup. ‘Okay, I have an idea. Not a life-changing one, but food for thought. At the very least
it might be inspirational.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘It’s my turn to go to the market tomorrow to speak to the suppliers and put in an order for the weekend. With me taking time off for the wedding last Saturday, it’s not fair to ask Jacques to cook and order all week. If he’s extra lucky, I’ll even suggest we keep the menu as we have it today. Such a shame Laura has gone. She’d have enjoyed seeing me with egg on my face.’

  So no rampant sex in the office then? More’s the pity. ‘And what’s this got to do with my business?’

  ‘Just a loose idea. Maybe you need to diversify a little? Up for some fun? Smithfield market’s got some great venues for weddings; it’s apparently haunted too. There’s a lot of history there.’

  The coffee was buzzing around her system, but the heat in the room was making her laconic. It was a strange juxtaposition; feeling both wired and loose-limbed at the same time. But underneath everything was a constant thread of tension that had wormed its way into her bones. Her head was constantly working overtime and finding things to worry about. Maybe a bit of fun would release some of that pressure.

  And hell, Jason’s parting text to her had been particularly cutting: The fun went out of it a long time ago, Chlo. Actually, the fun went out of you.

  ‘Haunted? My mum would be interested in that. She’s taken to ghost hunting for some reason. And that’s given me another idea. What do you think about haunted parties? Mum seems to have a few strangely-dressed friends if her Facebook page is anything to go by. Maybe I could tap into that? Ghost weddings? Haunted parties?’

  He made a face that told her he wasn’t convinced. ‘I’m not sure how to answer that, and definitely not qualified to, but why not?’

  ‘Okay. Well, it might be something else to add to my portfolio. Let’s do it. The market.’

  ‘Right. Excellent. I’ll pick you up at six.’ He was gathering the plates and cups together onto the tray, and she stood and squeezed past him to get back to the desk. Another lung full of his scent had her shallow breathing. She straddled a pile of papers and then found herself slipping sideways as her foot lost purchase on… A football? What the hell—?