“So, you’re richer than I thought if you can afford this,” Jess said as she checked out the luxury car Mitch was driving.
Mitch stiffened. What was Jess saying? In an effort to keep his voice light, he asked, “You recognise this?”
“The Bugatti La Voiture Noire, yes, I do. And I’m aware it’s one of a kind as well. A cool eleven and a half million pounds. But I thought someone else bought it.”
“They did and didn’t drive it. A car like this is meant to be driven,” Mitch replied. A concern hit him: why did Jess know how much the Bugatti cost? Her comments about being poor came to him, and Mitch frowned. Was she a gold-digger after all? Had she been given her house by an ex or in a divorce or something? Bitterness rose as Jess turned her head and stared out of the window.
“This belongs to Diar,” Mitch said, the words tasteless in his mouth. Would Jess now set her targets on his best friend?
“Lucky man, she’s a smooth drive.” Jess smiled.
Mitch returned it, but he wasn’t feeling it. Instead, a sinking sensation was settling into his gut. Self-doubt was roaring in his head. Was Jess playing a long game? Then again, she couldn’t have arranged for the boat to explode knowing he’d be there. Those were impossible odds. But it wouldn’t be amiss for Jess to take advantage.
“Yes, she is. I forgot to ask last night, is there any food you avoid?” Mitch asked, pushing the negativity away for now.
“Nothing apart from mushrooms and pistachios.”
“And you laughed at my choices?” Mitch teased, but he was uncomfortable and on guard. Luckily, Jess didn’t seem to be picking that up.
“Mushrooms are just wrong. Mind you, I won’t eat snails either, or frog’s legs, or jellied eels. Actually, there’s a lot I won’t eat,” she mused.
“Looks like you’re going to starve,” Mitch quipped, and Jess turned to him with her mouth open. “Joke!”
“You’re not funny!” Jess poked her tongue out, and Mitch found himself distracted once again. Jess captivated him despite his misgivings.
“Yes, I am.”
“A little bit,” Jess said, making a small space between her thumb and index finger.
“You wound me!” Mitch howled.
“I’ll do more than wound you if you packed snails,” Jess retorted, laughing.
“Haggis?”
“Ew, no!”
“You’re becoming high maintenance, Miss Mayhew. I don’t know about this change of personality,” Mitch teased, and she laughed.
“You love being a whipping boy!”
“I love being whipped!” Mitch shot back, and Jess broke out into gales of laughter.
“You’re cute,” Jess said as they drove into the car park and grabbed a spot. Mitch got out and walked around to her side. He noted that Jess waited. She’d expected Mitch to open the door for her.
Mitch held his hand out, and Jess reached out and took it, exiting smoothly from the car.
Once again, that pinged with Mitch. It was those actions that spoke of a higher standard of living for Jess. She was certainly a puzzle. She hooked her arm through his as they ambled towards the dock where Diar’s yacht was moored.
“Do you know how to sail?” Jess inquired.
“I’ve been out several times with Diar. He likes to escape from real life and makes sure to take a break to improve his health. Diar can be compulsive about work,” Mitch said. Silently, he winced; he worked harder than Diar and maybe should take a leaf out of his friend’s book.
“You and Diar are on a whole other level. I think I might be out of my comfort zone, Mitch,” Jess admitted softly as she stared at the yacht. It wasn’t one of the biggest, but it was certainly an expensive, luxurious toy.
“You’re fine, Jess,” he said, reassuring her. Jess smiled, but there was a glint in her eyes he couldn’t decipher.
Jess
