Breaking Point (Drew Ashley 1) (17 page)

I could hear the amusement in his voice. "Of course I like men. I like everyone."

"Are you looking for Mr Right now that you're single?"

I opened my eyes a crack. He'd finished with the sun cream. "I don't believe in a Mr Right because no one's perfect. But I believe in a Mr Right for Me."

"I like that."

"What about you? Are you on the lookout for a Miss Right for You?"

Something weighty but unreadable flickered in Harvey's eyes while he considered my question. "I don't know if I believe in a Miss Right."

"I didn't say Miss Right, I said Miss Right for
you
."

"Who knows if such a woman exists? For now, I'm not interested." Harvey's tone was so short, I wasn't sure if he was just making a statement or trying to warn me off.

"Is this because you got hurt?" I hedged.

"Maybe."

Maybe? The hurt was written all over his face. The way his eyes had hardened and now avoided mine, so that I wouldn't probe any further. The way his hands were fisted. The bunched up muscle in his jaw. Fine! He could have his secrets. I had mine. Why were we discussing matters of the heart, anyway?

"I've cooled down now," Harvey said. "Let's walk."

"No, I just want to sleep."

Harvey pulled me to my feet and I reluctantly followed him around the Valley. I avoided looking at him as we walked. Something was definitely crackling between us. Something dangerous that I was not going to acknowledge.

Neither of us spoke as we walked. I wondered what Harvey was thinking, whether he felt the electricity in the air too. After a while, I started thinking about leaving. It was a beautiful day, but Harvey wasn't easy company. I was on edge. Especially since that vest was still off. Too much man-candy could make a girl sick. Just like too much real candy.

I was just about to suggest that we head back to London when he nudged me. "You know, I have no problem with you being a feminist."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you still thinking about that? I thought that conversation was over like almost an hour ago."

He leaned against a tree with pink blossoms, and I followed him into the shade.

"I kinda find it pretty sexy," he drawled teasingly.

"I'm not a feminist, Harvey."

Harvey's eyes skimmed my hair, then hovered on my lips. He reached for my hand and drew me closer. He lifted my chin. "Right now you look scared."

I was more than scared. I was terrified. I held my breath, feeling like I might melt under his unrelenting gaze.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked.

"Huh?"

Harvey's head dipped and I stepped back, Kale's image flashing before my eyes. I shook my head.

Harvey let his hand drop. He studied me for a moment. "Can I take you out on a proper date? Tonight?"

Everything within me wanted to say yes. Well, not everything. There was this annoying voice of reason that told me there was no use getting close to a man like Harvey. "Sorry, Harvey. I can't. And didn't you say before that you're not interested in women for now?"

"I told you on Sunday that I want to get to know you."

Harvey's voice was a soft rumble that caused me to prickle with awareness. I raked my hair back. I wasn't falling for this. "Aren't you going to Jazz's ball tonight?"

"Oh yeah." He looked at his watch. "I'm supposed to pick her up at six. I guess we better leave."

"Good idea."

Neither of us spoke on the two-and-a-half-hour drive back to my house.

***

Jazz opened the door as Harvey swung into my driveway, resplendent in the Faviana evening dress I'd ordered her. Her hair tumbled down her back in glamorous waves.

I got out of the car, desperate to get away from Harvey. He jumped out too, and let out a whistle. "Girl, you look stunning!"

"You're late," Jazz said, hands on hips, although she did look pleased about the compliment.

"Sorry, the traffic was heavy."

"And you're not dressed!"

"Oh yeah," he said. "My suit is in the trunk." Harvey went to get his suit.

"You could probably do with a shower," Jazz said when he returned. She showed him to the bathroom.

The thought of Harvey showering in my bathroom was too much. I stayed downstairs with Jazz. Ten minutes later, he came down looking like a completely different man. "You've shaved?" I asked, looking at his trimmed beard, taking in the transformation. Harvey had been ruggedly appealing ten minutes ago. Now, he was all clean and suave.

He nodded, fiddling with one of his cufflinks, and smelling like something earthy and intensely appealing. He winked at Jazz. "Am I presentable?"

"I'd say! You look like a slice of heaven, buddy."

He did. I noted the curve of his strong jaw. I was going to have to draw him tonight. I wouldn't paint a full portrait. Just a quick pencil sketch. It wouldn't mean anything.

"I'm going to be envy of all the girls tonight," Jazz said gleefully. Harvey chuckled like he didn't know what she was talking about.

I watched them leave. They made a stunning couple—Jazz and Harvey. They made me sick!

Chapter 10

I expected to see Harvey in church on Sunday. Every tall, cinnamon-skinned man caught my eye. My pulse quickened momentarily each time, but none of them were him.

"Harvey starts his job tomorrow. Right?" Jazz asked me later in the afternoon when we were back home.

"Harvey who?" I asked.

Jazz rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I saw that sketch you've been doing of him. Harvey is a million times better than Kale."

That's not what she was saying the other day. "Then snap him up before Destiny does."

Nevertheless, the next morning I sent Harvey a text, wishing him luck.

After having such a busy week last week, I felt a little redundant this week. Kale and I met up a few times. I tried to focus on him each time we were together, but Harvey continually invaded my mind. I couldn't get his suggestion to book another driving test out of my mind. I gave in and booked one for the next Monday.

On Friday evening, I packed a bag with some clothes and left a note for my mum. I was going to spend the night at Jazz's. Destiny was going, too.

I took the Tube to Clapton and then caught a bus to Jazz's house. I'd never been to her house before. Her neighbourhood was pretty run down, but her house looked cheery from the outside, with blooming flowers in the front garden and fresh white paint on the window frames.

Jazz opened the door before I knocked. "We thought you weren't coming anymore."

"I had to wait for a bus from the station." Hopefully I'd pass my driving test on Monday and stop having to depend on the Tube and buses. "Is Destiny already here?"

"Yes, she got here like three hours ago," Jazz said leading me to the living room. "And she lives in Oxford."

"Not for long," Destiny piped up from the dark brown sofa. "I'm moving back to London in two weeks. I got a job at Reed Housing."

"Is that where my mum works?" I asked.

Destiny nodded. "I had my interview yesterday, and I got it."

"What are you going to be doing?"

"IT Support."

"Cool." That was the job she wanted to do.

"Before you ask," Jazz said, dropping onto the sofa dolefully. "I haven't got a job yet. I haven't even had an interview."

"You'll get one," Destiny said encouragingly.

"Thanks, Dez," Jazz replied.

I removed my sketch pad from my bag. "You guys don't mind, do you?"

"Did you finish that portrait of Kale?" Destiny asked.

"Yes." I showed them the painting.

"It's so real," Jazz said. "I almost expect it to speak."

"Any food going tonight?" I asked.

The doorbell rang and Jazz grinned. "The person who will be cooking our food has just arrived." She ran to get the door.

"Who is it?" I asked Destiny.

"Your mum."

"Is Drew here yet?" I heard my mum's voice from the hallway.

"Yes," Jazz said, reappearing in the doorway.

My mum sashayed into the room behind her, wearing ridiculously high heels. I wondered how she remained upright in them.

I groaned. "You could have told me you invited my mum."

My mum laughed. "We're celebrating Destiny's new job."

"Aren't you going out tonight?" I asked her.

"No," my mum stepped out of her heels. "I can't have a hangover this weekend because I'm having a barbecue on Sunday. I have a lot of shopping to do tomorrow, so I need a clear head."

"What are you having a barbecue for?" I asked.

"So that we can all socialize." My mum sat on the edge of a sofa and crossed her legs. "I've invited all the neighbours and a few people from work. You can invite some of your friends, Drew."

"How long have you been planning this?" I asked. This was the first I was hearing of it.

"Since last week. Anyway, let me get started on our dinner." My mum hopped up. "Show me to the kitchen, Jazz."

I turned to Destiny. "Please tell me she's not sleeping over with us tonight."

"I am," my mum called from the hallway.

"Great!" I muttered under my breath.

I settled down in front of the TV while Jazz and Destiny helped my mum in the kitchen. Destiny shouted me an hour later, and I shuffled to the kitchen.

"Your mum has just made a three course meal," Destiny informed me.

"It smells lovely," I said. I had to admit it. My mum could cook.

My mum sat down at Jazz's table. "You girls can serve. I've done my part."

The doorbell chimed, just as Jazz was removing dishes from a cupboard.

"Expecting another guest?" my mum asked.

"Maybe it'll be my dad," I said sarcastically.

My mum laughed. "That'd be great. I miss him so much whenever he's away."

"It's someone that's trying to track Drew down," Jazz said sending me a wink before hurrying out of the kitchen.

She returned with Harvey. He entered the kitchen and shrank it to half the size with his presence.

My mum did a double take. "Hello, handsome!" she cooed.

I was sure I was going to die of embarrassment.

"Hello, ma'am," Harvey said, inclining his dark head slightly.

"Who's he?" my mum asked, giving Jazz an impressed look.

"He's not my boyfriend," Jazz said chuckling. "This is Harvey, the man Drew was taking around last week."

My mum's eyes widened. "The man with the BMW?"

"Yeah," Jazz said. "Harvey, this is Drew's mum."

"Call me Amelia," my mum said, offering her hand.

"There is absolutely no way you are Drew's mum," Harvey said smoothly, taking my mum's hand.

"Why is that?" my mum asked.

"You can't possibly be old enough."

"Oh, you flatter me, Harvey."

"I'm serious. I placed you at around thirty-five when I walked in."

"I'm fifty-one," my mum whispered.

"No!" Harvey exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes.

"Drew didn't tell me she's been seeing such a nice young man," my mum said, batting her lashes shamelessly. "And what a lovely suit you're wearing. You're American, right?"

"Yeah."

My mum snapped her fingers. "Drew, is this the man you've been drawing?"

My mum did not just say that!

"It was Kale she drew," Jazz said in an attempt to bail me out.

"No, I had a peep in her sketch book the other day and I saw the one of Kale, but I saw another one, too. I thought she was just using her imagination and drawing her dream man. I didn't know he was real."

Harvey lifted a quizzical brow, and I felt heat surging into my cheeks.

My mum tottered out of the kitchen.

"So you've been drawing me," Harvey said smirking.

I wanted to wipe the smirk off his face with a well-placed slap. "I was drawing Kale," I insisted.

My mum returned to the kitchen with my sketch pad, opened to the drawing I'd done of Harvey. "Look Harvey. Isn't it really good?"

Destiny shot me a sympathetic look. I took a calming deep breath. So what if Harvey knew I'd drawn him? It didn't mean anything.

My mum leafed through the pad, showing Harvey my other paintings. He glared at me when he saw the one of Kale. "How come you did him in colour and I'm in black and white?"

"Yeah, you should do another one of Harvey, and use paint instead of just pencil," my mum agreed. "Do you know Kale?" she asked Harvey.

"Vaguely."

"Drew really likes him. God knows why. I see nothing remotely attractive about him. He's got scary eyes."

"Kale's eyes are beautiful," I said. How could anyone think they were scary?