Jessie Slaymaker's Rules of Engagement (The Jessie Slaymaker Series Book 2) (2 page)

‘You know, about wanting
more
,’ Jack prompted, throwing her a sniff of a bone.

‘Oh yeah,’ Jessie said, filling the gap ineptly. God only knew how Mr Grand Gesture was going to interpret that request in the cold light of day. Six months ago, when she was in Hong Kong on business and he thought she sounded down in the dumps, he’d hopped on a plane and flown over that very instant to cheer her up. And yet that whole escapade had turned out oh-so-well for him, given that he’d spent the next six months of his life stuck in Hong Kong, unable to extricate himself from a phony relationship with Sonia. But still, he hadn’t run for the hills. Yet. Lots of men Jessie knew would hear the phrase
I want more
and scarper quicker than a rabbit down its hole for fear that that other terrifying word—
commitment
—was soon to follow.

‘Well, the most obvious thing to do is to call the bank and see if there’s still a job offer for you out in Hong Kong,’ Jack suggested calmly, taking another munch out of his sarnie as though he had just said something overwhelmingly unmomentous.

‘What?’ Jessie exclaimed, her eyebrows shooting up to her hairline in alarm.

‘But I thought you liked Hong Kong,’ Jack said defensively, looking completely surprised by her reaction.

‘You know I do, but we’ve only just properly got together. We wouldn’t be giving things much of a chance if I suddenly upped sticks and moved to Hong Kong, would we?’ Jessie said. She felt unsure why he would suggest shunting her off to Asia quite so soon in their fledgling relationship.

‘Of course I meant I could go too. I like Hong Kong. I wouldn’t mind seeing if I could establish another business over there.’ He reached across the table to still her slightly trembling hand.

And there it was. This was one of the reasons she found Jack so attractive: he had no fear. The bombshell suggestion hit Jessie like a steam train. This man she’d been lusting after since very nearly the first moment she’d met him was now heavily intimating (he hadn’t expressly asked her outright) that they could move to Hong Kong together and have a life there. With each other.

Jessie was dependable and sensible. Normally. Running off to another continent because a guy she’d had casual sex with a couple of times suggested it… that wasn’t her usual style. She just didn’t do things like that. And yet, she really wanted to. Something about the lack of contemplation and recklessness of it all appealed to her.
Why not?
she asked herself. What’s the worst thing that could happen?

‘But you only just came back,’ Jessie stuttered.

‘I know. But I tried doing something in this country when I came back before,’ Jack explained. ‘And although I love England, I felt completely uninspired here. Here, it seems there’s always a negative reason, a reason
not
to do something; but in Asia it’s the opposite mentality. There’s always a positive reason, a reason why you
should
take a risk, try to make something happen. My money won’t last forever, Jessie, and I’m going to need to find something to keep me occupied whilst
you
fulfill your own career potential,’ he added, smiling at her.

Jessie had always assumed that Jack had simply retired; this was the first time she’d ever heard him so much as mention a concern over money. Jack had had a successful publishing business in China after all, one he’d developed during his seven-year stint there.

Jessie felt ashamed to admit that it had never really occurred to her that maybe Jack still had more ambitions and professional goals left in him. When he had returned to England, shortly before they’d first met at a mutual friend’s wedding, he had been bumbling around aimlessly, not doing a huge amount. Jessie had—perhaps a little unfairly—regarded him as somewhat of a playboy. But clearly there was more to Jack Davenport, and for Jessie this was a stark reminder of just how little they really knew about each other. And yet, she was still drawn to Jack’s idea of starting a new life together in Hong Kong.

‘You make it sound so easy,’ Jessie said, smiling shyly.

‘It can be, if you want it to be.’

‘It would be nice to escape the mundanity of life and work in England. And it certainly would be an adventure,’ Jessie conceded. She was also excited by the idea of sharing this adventure with Jack, not having it be strictly a solo endeavour. That part was definitely tempting.

‘Then let’s do it. Let’s go. Or let’s try to, anyway,’ Jack said simply, shrugging his shoulders. It dawned on Jessie that the two biggest regrets in her life—turning down the Hong Kong job offer and not keeping a hold of Jack the first time she’d had the chance—could be rectified in one fell swoop.

‘Would you like some dessert, madam?’ the waiter asked, a note of impatience in his voice.

‘Sorry!’ Jessie exclaimed loudly, realising she must have been off for some time in her own world of thoughts and pleasant imaginings. Someone had placed a dessert menu in her hands at some point, and she was absent-mindedly fiddling with it.

‘Two pieces of chocolate cake, please,’ Jack ordered for them, pulling the now slightly dog-eared dessert menu out of Jessie’s hands and handing it back to the none-too-impressed waiter.

‘Sorry,’ Jessie apologised to Jack earnestly. ‘I was in a different world. I didn’t mean to ignore you.’

‘I know,’ Jack said, giving her a warm smile. ‘So, what’s the verdict, Miss Slaymaker? I could practically hear those cogs of yours turning and clanking away. To Hong Kong or not to Hong Kong? That is the question,’ he asked theatrically.

‘Very funny,’ Jessie laughed. ‘How long have you been thinking that one up?’

‘I know not of what you speak, for I always talk this way, my love,’ Jack quipped, placing a hand to his heart.

‘Anyway,’ Jessie began, assuming an assertive businesslike tone. ‘Do you think it’s really a good idea going back to Hong Kong? After what’s happened with Sonia…’ She stopped, not entirely sure how to proceed.

Sonia was the woman who’d entrapped Jack into staying with her for six months. Jack and Sonia had been childhood friends, but Sonia wanted more—and had schemed and strived to get Jessie out of the picture and win Jack for herself. It had taken Jack a long time to see that she had manipulated him into staying with her.

‘It’s a big city, Jessie. I’m sure our paths won’t cross, and knowing Sonia, I would think she’ll go back to Shanghai anyway. That’s where the majority of her businesses operate from.’

‘You’re kidding, right?’ Jessie asked rhetorically. ‘Sonia wants you, plain and simple. If she hears you’re back in Hong Kong, then I guarantee you, she’ll be back in Hong Kong.’

‘Then we won’t let her spoil our fun. This is about you and me, Jessie. Not her. If we do have the misfortune of running into her, then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Together,’ he added seriously, giving Jessie a meaningful look across the table. ‘You can’t let the possibility of running into one woman keep you from having a go at something you want.’

‘Ah, I’m just so tempted,’ Jessie admitted.

‘Come on then, Slaymaker. What say you?’ Jack asked persuasively.

‘What’s the time in Hong Kong?’ Jessie asked. She couldn’t help a megawatt beam of a smile from escaping her lips. This man made her feel so good. So positive about life and the future.

‘Seven hours ahead,’ Jack replied. ‘Why?’

‘I need to make a phone call and see if I can get me a job,’ Jessie said, smiling even more widely at this man who seemed to bring out her usually well-hidden impulsive side. He returned her smile, and Jessie felt her heartbeat quicken. Jessie, the safe and secure non-risk-taker, was becoming Jessie Slaymaker: brave risk-taker extraordinaire. Or at least, she was about to.

Jessie had made her decision. She had called Mr Chan at the bank in Hong Kong, and he had been delighted to hear that she had changed her mind and now wanted to relocate to the region. As a result, Jessie had her job lined up, her flight booked, and her family and friends informed. Her mother took the news well, even if she was rather surprised that Jessie was leaving in a matter of weeks to go and start afresh in some far flung ex-colony with, as her mother phrased it,
“
her new chap”.

There was only one person left to tell. Tom.

Apart from that one loose end, it was an incredibly exciting time for Jessie, as she planned and looked forward to this new chapter in her life. That excitement was heightened by the presence of Jack. The more time they spent together, the more she came to realise how he was precisely the right man for her. Jack was warm and caring and so easy to be around. Not only were they compatible in the all-important bedroom department, but it seemed they could really talk candidly about anything. For the first time in her life, Jessie felt unafraid to share her hopes and dreams, as well as her fears for the future. And, to their mutual delight, they found they had much in common, from books on economic history to Christopher Nolan movies. And what they didn’t have in common or agree upon turned easily into witty banter and insightful discussions.

But Tom not knowing any of the latest key developments in her life niggled her. Since they’d officially split up, there had been no contact between them. No calls, no emails, no texts—and this was a completely alien experience. Even prior to their attempted romantic liaison, they had always been in regular contact. Jessie found that she didn’t miss Tom the boyfriend. But she did miss Tom the best friend. Very much.

But she knew that the longer she put off telling him, the worse it would be. So with three weeks to go before her departure date, Jessie finally summoned up the courage to call him. It wasn’t the kind of thing she felt she should or could say by email. As she heard the ringing tone down the phone, she felt her stomach churn with nerves.

‘Jessie?’ he answered, more like a question.

‘Hi Tom, how are you?’ Jessie asked automatically. There was a noticeable pause before his reply.

‘Good. You?’

‘Same. Listen, I’m sorry to bother you, but I have 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.

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 exciting new phase of her life.

One slight hitch had presented itself a few days earlier, when Mr Chan, her bank’s Human Resources Director, had called her to say that the role he had originally envisioned for her—Head of Research—was no longer available. However, he had found her a role within the same research team, and although it wasn’t the massive promotion she’d been offered a little over six months earlier, it was still a promotion, and an opportunity to develop and further her career in the heart of the country that currently held the world’s financial interest: China.