Jessie Slaymaker's Rules of Engagement (The Jessie Slaymaker Series Book 2) Read Free Page B

some news, and I wanted you to hear it from me directly.’
    ‘Go on,’ he said warily, trepidation in his voice.
    ‘Well, do you remember I had that job offer at the bank in Hong Kong?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Well, I’m going to take it. And move to Hong Kong. With Jack,’ Jessie finished, holding her breath.
    ‘Is that what you really want?’ Tom asked evenly. He didn’t sound surprised. Just resigned.
    ‘Yes. Yes it is.’
    ‘Then good luck to you. I thought you were going to tell me you were pregnant,’ he said, a lighter note in his voice.
    ‘No. Hardly,’ Jessie replied, laughing gently.
    ‘So things are going well with Jack?’ he asked tentatively.
    ‘Yes. Thank you.’
    ‘Honeymoon period not over yet, then?’ he quipped.
    ‘What?’ Jessie asked, momentarily stung. It hadn’t even occurred to her that the way she was currently feeling about Jack, and he about her, could be temporary or ever possibly change. She was naïve and relatively inexperienced when it came to relationships—she knew she was—but what if Tom was right?
    ‘Forget I said that,’ Tom said quickly. ‘I’m just bitter and twisted that I don’t get to see you everyday.’
    ‘I don’t regret giving things a try with you, Tom,’ Jessie said with feeling. She was on the verge of crying.
    ‘You don’t?’
    ‘Not at all. We were right to try. We were just wrong to keep trying for so long. You must come and visit me when I’m settled. If you want to, I mean. There’s no pressure or anything. There’ll always be an open invitation for you.’
    ‘I’m sure Jack would love that,’ Tom said, half-laughing.
    ‘It’s not up to him. You’re my friend, and I’ll always be your friend.’
    ‘When you put it like that, I suppose I’ll have to come and see you,’ Tom replied. ‘Just promise me one thing.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Promise me you’re not running away because of what happened here with me.’
    ‘I promise. This decision is actually about me. I think it was you who told me to be selfish once upon a time, to do what I wanted to do. Well, what I want is an adventure. I want to go and live and work in Hong Kong,’ Jessie said with passion. ‘Jack just happens to be tagging along. Hopefully he won’t cramp my style,’ she added, trying to de-emphasise Jack’s involvement in her life and decision-making. For some reason she felt she had to downplay her true feelings about Jack. Tom didn’t need to know just yet that she had a one-way ticket to being head-over-heels-potty-in-love with his rival.
    ‘Good,’ Tom replied. ‘Jess, I’m just about to go into a meeting. But let me know how you get on.’
    ‘Okay. Will do. Miss you lots.’
    ‘You too,’ Tom replied, then quickly finished the call.
    Jessie felt relieved to have finally spoken to Tom and divested herself of the Hong Kong bombshell. Even so, it was still hard to accept that there was still so much pain and awkwardness between them. It was difficult—and it probably would continue to be difficult for a long time. They’d been good friends for a hell of a lot longer than they had been together , but those short months had certainly done their share of damage. She could only hope that maybe, one day, their years of friendship would shine through the debris of their failed attempt at love.

Chapter 5
    In the six weeks after making her decision to move to Asia, Jessie had packed up the contents of her home, experienced a whirlwind of teary farewell parties, and of course had numerous hot dates with Jack, with even hotter bedroom antics. But it wasn’t until now—as she stared out the Heathrow departure lounge window at the massive jumbo jet that would transport her to the beginning of a new life—that reality finally seemed to be setting in. She was really doing it. She was actually moving to Hong Kong. For good. And all she was taking with her was the contents of two suitcases and the knowledge that Jack would be there to help and guide her in this