“Yes.” It was strange in the extreme that he, the famous one, would recognizeher. What had been going on behind the scenes that resulted in him knowing her name?
He introduced himself and the blond woman next to him as Remy, his girlfriend.
Remy was lovely in a very natural way. Her long hair looked as if it had dried in tousled waves without the aid of a curling iron. Her overalls, turtleneck, and lace-up boots were adorable on her.
“No need to fear, Gemma,” Jeremiah said. “We're here to rescue you from this eccentric bunch.”
“That sounds chivalrous,” Remy said. “But those are empty words because he's the most eccentric of them all.”
“Remy's always been strangely resistant to my appeal.”
“Not as resistant as I should’ve been, seeing as how I consented to date you.” Remy winked at Gemma.
“Opposites really do attract,” he said.
“But enough about us,” Remy said.
“Exactly. Enough about us.” Jeremiah concentrated on Gemma. “Tell us what's going on between you and my brother.”
Remy elbowed him. “That was a nosy way to phrase that.”
“I prefer to think that was an honest way to phrase that.”
For the first time, a gap opened in Jeremiah and Remy's rapid-fire banter. “Um,” Gemma said. They were expecting her to answer. What could she say that Jude would condone? “Jude and I are still figuring out what's going on between us. So I suppose my answer is: unsure.”
“Hmm.” Jeremiah took her measure. “What can we do to convince you to take a chance on him? I know. There's a house on the tip of Islehaven Island I can offer you—”
“That's my family's house!” Remy interrupted, laughing. To Gemma, she said, “Jeremiah would like me to spend even more time than I do in Groomsport so that he can stay in the lap of luxury in his ridiculous house—”
“You know very well I'll stay on Leigh's waterboard of a mattress on Islehaven whenever I need to be near you—”
“—but I love my cottage on Islehaven. So that's that.”
“Are you saying,” Gemma joked, “that taking a chance on Jude will not earn me a house?”
“It will,” Jeremiah vowed. “Free of charge—”
“Jude has a lot to recommend him,” Remy said, “even without the perk of my house. He's principled, has a great sense of humor, and best of all, he's not a celebrity. Between you and me, I would not have started falling for this one here if I'd realized he was well known—”
“All around the world—”
“To asmallcircle of F1 fans. As you can see, his conceit is tiresome. Jude is not conceited.”
“No. He's not conceited,” Jeremiah agreed. Some of the teasing melted from his face. “I think he really likes you, Gemma.”
“You do?”
“Yeah.”
“He's not here tonight.”
“Sure about that?” Jeremiah's focus centered behind Gemma's shoulder and he angled his chin forward.
Gemma's pulse leapt. She swiveled, holding her still-full bottle of Coke. Her vision intersected with Jude's. They both froze.
He wore a charcoal suit and one of his spotless white business shirts, one button released at the throat. He must have discarded his tie somewhere between the office and here. The simplicity of the clothing was a perfect foil for his handsomeness. He looked as elegant as always. Yet, uncharacteristically, he also looked faintly frazzled, as if he'd rushed to get here.
The memory of kissing him swamped her. It felt impossible to believe.Thissophisticated man had kissed her?No. And yet, yes. He had.
