“You’re changing things up?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“Yeah. I’ve been stretching myself thin, trying everything, but I want to commit to a sound.”
His gaze slides back to Lily-Anne. The subtext isn’t lost on me—he wants to settle down, rather than chasing the next shiny thing.
“So, what do you reckon?” he asks Lily-Anne.
Ellenor swoops in before she can reply.
“Do it!”
“It would mean us delaying our road trip,” Lily-Anne says hesitantly.
“The road trip can wait,” Ellenor says impatiently. “This is more important. Besides,” she adds, a glint of mischief in her eyes, “you may as well make the most of Whitstable while you’re here, because once we’re on the road, you’ll be at the mercy of my inner Slytherin.”
She winks at Lily-Anne, who continues to look uncertain.
“Comeonnn,” Jack coaxes, biting his lower lip in a grin. “You’d really be helping me out, Lil.”
The nickname grates against me as few things do.Lil.He says it too easily, too familiarly, like he’s claimed a piece of her.
Lily-Anne looks to me. “What do you think, Brandon?”
I dislike Jack. Always have. He’s glib, self-serving, and addicted to applause. But he’s not cruel, and he isn’t dangerous. For all his ego, he can make people feel seen—something Jeremy, her father, also did.
And I’ve been blaming him for a tragedy that wasn’t his to carry.
Natalie’s death derailed his life as much as it did mine, yet he’s built this café, this community. It would be unfair of me to cast a shadow on his character in a room full of people he’s brought together. People who owe their joy, in some small way, to him.
Including Lily-Anne. Her smile is brighter. Jack is offering her the opportunity she came to England for, so the least I can do is get out of her way.
“It’s your call,” I say. “If it feels right, do it.”
Lily-Anne nods. “Alright. I think I will.”
“Great!” Ellenor whirls to face Jack with a no-nonsense demeanour. “Now, let’s discuss remuneration. How much are you gonna pay her?”
“I can’t get paid with my visa,” Lily-Anne reminds her.
“Yeah, yeah,” Ellenor drawls, waving her off and fixing her gaze on Jack. “Seriously. What are the terms?”
“Free muffins and coffee?” he offers.
“Ha. Those were already part of the agreement. You think I didn’t confer with my client?”
“You’re not representing me. I can speak for myself,” Lily-Anne mutters.
“Hush, please. Can’t you see I’m negotiating for my own best interest?”
Jack’s grin widens. “Free muffins and coffee for all of Lily’s friends. Including you, Brandon.”
Ellenor nods. “I’m amenable to that. Brandon?”
I don’t want or need anything from Jack Willoughby, but I keep my tone civil. “You don’t need my input.”
Jack shakes hands with Ellenor, then Lily-Anne. Somehow, the sight of their hands clasped bothers me more than when I shook the man’s hand myself.
“Lily, let me introduce you to some friends of mine—new admirers of yours,” Jack says.
