She’s got her scary face on again. The one that appears right before…
‘Jake, I think we can help each other out,’ she says confidently.
‘Oh yeah?’ he replies.
‘I think I can help you get your sale,’ she tells him.
‘I dunno, Arty cares about legacy. About community. About families. He doesn’t want some outsider coming in with a pile of cash,’ he replies. ‘He does want a pile of cash for the place though.’
He laughs and it’s so charming.
JJ’s gaze drifts to me. Then back to Jake.
‘So, you have the cash, but you’re right, you’re an outsider,’ she starts.
‘Yup,’ Jake confirms.
‘And you’re single?’ she checks.
‘Yup again,’ he replies.
JJ’s grin blooms like a shark smelling blood.
‘JJ,’ I whisper, but she ignores me.
‘So you need Mr Morgan to take you seriously,’ JJ continues, thinking out loud.
‘That’s the plan,’ Jake replies.
‘Then maybe it helps if you don’t look like a freewheeling cowboy who might vanish into the sunset the moment the ink dries,’ she continues.
I wince. Kind of offensive. Jake is still laughing though.
‘What have you got for me?’ he asks.
‘I’m suggesting you look like a man who is settling down,’ JJ says, holding up the video on her phone again.
Oh God…
Jake’s lips part, then close again.
‘You’re…’ he starts.
‘Yes!’ she says excitedly. ‘You need Mr Morgan to see this, to see you proposing to your partner here at the estate – the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Whit needs a publisher to snap her up, because they’re in love with her story – and her marketability. Don’t you see, you can help each other out.’
Jake laughs.
‘You’re serious, aren’t you?’ he replies.
‘I’m so serious,’ she says. ‘It’s win-win. Whit gets her book deal. You get to buy part of Rosewood. And then, you know, shit happens, relationships don’t last – but by that point you’ll both have what you want.’
‘That’s one hell of a proposition,’ Jake replies.
‘It is, so go, grab your breakfast, eat, then see how you feel,’ she suggests.
‘Can I grab you guys a plate?’ he asks.
‘Please,’ I reply. ‘Surprise me.’
