‘We are,’ JJ says. ‘Why don’t you join us?’
‘JJ, he doesn’t want to join us,’ I insist.
‘No, I’d love to,’ Jake says. ‘It would be a pleasure.’
‘I’m sure it would,’ JJ replies.
Jake steps out of the lift first, walking a few paces ahead of us. JJ holds me back on purpose.
‘What are you doing?’ I ask her quietly.
‘I thought we could sound him out, see if he’s the kind of guy who might not mind us using our little viral mishap to our advantage,’ she replies.
‘Please do not refer to it as a viral mishap,’ I beg. ‘It sounds like one of us gave the other a disease.’
‘He could make any girl lovesick,’ she insists. ‘Fuck meeee, he’s even hotter in the flesh. You write your next book about this guy, we’ll have a bidding war on our hands.’
The breakfast room at Rosewood is bright and beautiful in a luxurious, country-estate way. It looks like somewhere royalty would eat, or the rich family in a period drama, or that would grace the pages of a lifestyle magazine that I’m too working class to appreciate.
It’s a strange, unsettling feeling, being here, knowing that this is where the wedding will be taking place. I still can’t believe it’s happening, that my best friend is tying the knot – my best friend who I’ve never even seen with a serious girlfriend. It’s just my luck that he finds the love of his life around the same time I realise he’s probably mine.
JJ steers us towards an empty table, floating around like she owns the place.
‘My first time eating breakfast here,’ Jake says. ‘Looks kinda fancy.’
‘Oh, it is,’ JJ replies. ‘Rosewood is one of those places that’s steeped in history, the kind people will always want to visit – the kind of place you won’t bat an eye at paying £5 for a cup of tea.’
He laughs. ‘Well, I’m more of an iced tea kind of guy, but I take your point,’ he replies. ‘The food smells great.’
It’s a breakfast buffet, piled high with hot and cold items. I could do a lot of damage here, and my hangover is screaming out for me to fill my boots, but I can’t resist the urge to want to impress Jake (that female reflex to pretend to be perfect when there’s a smoking-hot man around), and I’m not sure me stuffing my face has ever impressed anyone.
Jake slides into the chair opposite me, his legs just about touching mine under the table.
I try to keep my cool, but really every time our knees brush, my heart rate doubles.
‘So, Jake,’ JJ says, dropping into the seat beside me, ‘you’ve seen the news.’ JJ turns her phone towards him like she’s presenting evidence in court. ‘That you and Whitney are engaged,’ she sings.
She has to stop saying it like that. Just because the internet thinks we’re engaged, it does not mean we’re engaged.
‘Yeah, I saw that,’ he replies with a chuckle. ‘It’s funny, because what actually happened…’
‘Oh, I know what actually happened,’ JJ says, batting the idea away with her hand.
‘JJ,’ I start, but she doesn’t listen.
‘But everyone thinks you’re engaged, so, first of all, congratulations,’ she says with a cheeky smile.
‘Er, thanks,’ he replies with a laugh.
‘But here’s the thing,’ JJ continues, finally getting down to business. ‘Whitney here is a writer. She writes romcom novels – well, she’s trying to, we’re trying to sell her novel, but the problem is that our Whitney is a normal, single girl. She isn’t famous, never been on TV, never dated anyone famous. From a marketing point of view there’s nothing interesting about her – no offence, Whit, you know that’s true – until… this.’
Just when you think you aren’t actually capable of feeling any more embarrassment… JJ helps kick things up a gear.
‘Publishers love a story,’ JJ says. ‘Especially one that people already care about. They want authors with platforms. With followings. With excitement around them. It shouldn’t be true, but it is.’
‘You know what? I get it,’ Jake replies. ‘I’m here at Rosewood because I’m trying to buy part of it, the equestrian centre and the lodge that sits next to it. I’m looking for somewhere local to hang my hat. This place is kinda on the market, but the guy who owns it, Arty Morgan, he’s lived here with his family his entire life, has had all these offers from people who want to change what the place is. He’s looking for someone to take over who will follow in his footsteps, really care about the place, look after the horses, raise their family here and, well, he doesn’t think that’s me.’
‘Oh reeeeally?’ JJ replies.
