Second Chance Lane (Brockenridge #2) - Nicola Marsh Page 0,30

seconds before giving a brief nod. ‘Okay.’

Surprised by his capitulation, she swept her arm wide. ‘What do you envisage here?’

‘I want to recreate a Parisian vibe, cosy yet chic. A touch of luxe. High-end pastries and coffees. Something different. I think townsfolk are interested in seeing expansion and development, so why not give them something new? Most haven’t been to France, so why not bring France to them?’

Jane stared, surprised by the transformation in Mason as he talked about his vision for the café. The frown disappeared, as did the lines bracketing his mouth, and his brown eyes almost sparkled with enthusiasm. This is what he’d been like in high school with his friends, a group of geeks who somehow managed to fit in with everyone but her. He’d been fine with Louise and Bec, and they’d been popular girls too. It seemed like he’d reserve his special brand of snark just for her, and she’d hated it. She wanted to ask him why he did it, but that would lend credence to it and she didn’t want to show him she’d once cared.

When their eyes locked and he raised an eyebrow in provocation, she cleared her throat. ‘So you’re thinking white wrought-iron tables and chairs, pastels everywhere, artisan posters on the walls, that kind of thing?’

‘Exactly,’ he said, the admiration in his gaze making her feel warm. ‘Uh, look, I want to apologise for how I behaved earlier.’ His cheeks reddened and his gaze slid away before refocussing on her. ‘You’re right. High school was a long time ago and I acted like an idiot.’

‘It’s okay,’ she said, wondering what he’d think if he knew she’d done a lot of stupid things since.

‘I’d like to get this place up and running sooner rather than later …’ He glanced around, pride straightening his impressively broad shoulders. Must be all that dough kneading. ‘I know we were enemies in high school and the way I reacted when we bumped into each other earlier wouldn’t have changed your impression of me, but would you be interested in acting as our interior design consultant?’

While Jane remained silent, struggling not to gape at his offer, he continued. ‘I mean, it’s obvious Mum trusts you, otherwise she wouldn’t have asked for your opinion in the first place, and the way you just articulated my vision so clearly means we’re on the same wavelength.’

He smiled, it wouldn’t be the first time, and all the air whooshed out of her lungs at its potency. If he’d smiled more often at her in high school she wouldn’t have been so bitchy and they might have stood a chance at becoming something resembling friends.

‘So what do you think?’

Jane thought she was completely bonkers for agreeing to undertake anything alongside this guy, but she found herself nodding regardless.

CHAPTER

14

Tash shouldn’t feel anything other than anger towards Kody. Anger that he’d chosen this town to heal his wounds, anger that he’d forced her hand when it came to Isla, anger that he had the potential to turn her tight-knit family upside down. But as she pulled into his driveway, killed the engine and glanced at the soundly sleeping rock star, she knew some of that anger should be directed at herself.

She’d done the wrong thing in keeping Isla a secret from him all these years and because of her, he’d missed out on so much. Like the time eighteen-month-old Isla had tumbled headfirst into a bucket of apple peels at the roadhouse, making Tash, Harry, Alisha and Clara laugh. And the time she’d aced her two-times tables in prep. And the first time she’d shot a goal in netball. And several months ago, when she’d rocked the year six play by breaking into a surprising rendition of an Aussie pop classic. Tash had experienced a particular twinge of guilt that night, realising Isla must get her strong voice from her father. But she’d learned to subdue those twangs over the years because no good could come of it.

She’d never believed in karma or fate or any of that crap, but Kody turning up here and taking away her choice to divulge the truth was the cosmos having a belly laugh at her expense.

Kody snuffled in his sleep, a cute snorting sound that had her biting her bottom lip. Watching him slumber brought back a host of memories she’d spent thirteen years trying to forget. She’d lain next to him so many nights doing this very thing, watching him, marvelling that an incredibly