Free Jessie Slaymaker's Non-Existent Love Life (The Jessie Slaymaker Series) by Jo Iles Page B

I remember Jessie. We were all talking for awhile. Don’t you remember?’ Jack asked, a little concerned at his brother’s short-term memory.
    ‘Not really. I was in a right state that night. Plus, I was trying to get into Nadia then and she was messing with my head.’
    ‘Sounds like a nice girl,’ Jack added sarcastically.
    ‘Hands off,’ Charlie said, smiling. ‘Jessie’s a nice girl…well, woman. She must be knocking on a bit now. She’s the kind of person who’ll go out of her way to help you.’ Charlie continued reflecting, as though for the first time, on Jessie’s character and attributes, as he wandered off towards the fridge.
    ‘So you’re on then?’ Charlie confirmed, slamming the fridge door closed.
    ‘You twisted my arm,’ Jack replied as he disappeared to put on a clean shirt.
    Jack had been in a foul mood all week. Jessie hadn’t been in touch, and he was damned if he was going to initiate things again with her. He had some pride. Maybe this double-date thing wasn’t such a bad idea. It would be nice to see Jessie squirm a little. She was obviously up for dating other people, if she had agreed to go out on a double date with Charlie, but not specifically as Charlie’s date. Jack felt a little hurt that she would do that. He knew they’d only spent a short amount of time together, but he’d thought they’d had a connection—as well as some great sex. It had been special. It had been for him, anyway.
     
    Jack knew Charlie wouldn’t bother telling Jessie who her date was going to be. As he splashed on aftershave, he smiled at the thought of how surprised she’d be to see him sitting across from her. Tonight was going to be fun.

Chapter 27
    With Tom’s help, Jessie had come up with what she hoped was a winning outfit combination—one that would hopefully seal the deal once and for all with Charlie. Tom hadn’t been quite as enthusiastic as she’d been about the impending Charlie date, but after a couple of glasses of wine, he’d softened somewhat, and actually seemed to think it would be a good idea for her to go on it. He mentioned something about going after her first choice rather than settling on the little brother. Jessie had let that slide; she was too excited and nervous about seeing Charlie to worry about a snide little remark from Tom about Jack.
    Jack. She hadn’t called him. But then, he hadn’t called her either, or shown up again this week. It’s not that she didn’t like him, or hadn’t thought about him. She did and she had. She just didn’t really know what to do about him. Whether to pursue him or not. And now that she had this date with Charlie, she owed it to herself—and to all the many years of pining after him—to go through with it and see how things panned out. She knew she’d always regret it if she didn’t go.
    ‘Shit, I’m late,’ she said as she stumbled out of the cab trying to juggle change and her phone at the same time. She took a moment to compose herself and straighten herself up. Tonight she’d gone for full-on grown-up glamour. A short, tight, black long-sleeved dress teamed with impossibly high black stilettos and some serious smokey-eye action. Tom had said she looked sophisticated and in control when they’d rehearsed the previous evening. Jessie thought the look might be a bit strong for a first date, but she wanted to exude strength and confidence—and ultimately sexiness—tonight, rather than being pretty and demure.
    ‘Oh hello,’ came a semi-familiar voice behind her as she walked into the restaurant. Jessie turned to see Nadia from Natalie and Nick’s wedding standing in the doorway.
    ‘Oh, hi Nadia, how are you?’ Jessie said, unable to resist running her observant eye over Nadia’s clothes. Jessie felt Nadia doing the same thing, and they shared an awkward moment.
    ‘I’m good, thanks. You?’ replied Nadia.
    ‘I’m fine, thank you. Are you here for dinner or drinks?’ Jessie asked politely, aware that she