Second Chance Lane (Brockenridge #2) - Nicola Marsh Page 0,41

like a second mum, and I want what’s best for her.’

‘What about your mum? You’re not close?’

And just like that, Jane shut down. She couldn’t talk about Gladys without wanting to blurt the whole sorry truth or thump something.

‘Not so much,’ she said, and changed the subject. ‘When Betty initially mentioned the expansion she said something about knocking down the wall between the two shops. But I actually think it’d be nice to keep the current bakery and spruce it up with a retro theme, adding a few French touches, then having an archway flowing into the new space. What do you think?’

Mason bought her distraction, and they launched into a detailed discussion of his vision and what that entailed. They only stopped to eat, oohing and aahing over the butter chicken served with rice and naan bread, before resuming their shoptalk.

Jane couldn’t wait to get their ideas down on paper. ‘I’ll start work on this tonight. It’ll take me a day or two to input our preliminary ideas into the software I use, so maybe you can pop over Monday evening and take a look?’

‘Great,’ he said, glancing at his watch. ‘I actually have to run.’

‘Hot date?’ The words popped out before Jane could censor them and she wanted to crawl under the table.

‘No.’ His mouth quirked into a roguish smile. ‘Besides, I’ve just had that.’

Flustered, Jane searched for something witty to say and came up blank, but was saved when he took pity on her and stood. However, her relief was short-lived when he held out his hand. It would appear churlish to refuse so she placed her hand in his, liking the curl of his fingers over hers way too much.

‘Why don’t I cook us dinner when you come over?’

When he squeezed her hand, she hurried on: ‘I mean, it makes sense. I’ll be busy finessing our ideas for the next few days and you’ll be running around sourcing contractors and the rest, so that only leaves us the evening to work. And it’s only fair, after you paid for dinner tonight.’

‘That sounds good,’ he said, and she practically sagged in relief that she hadn’t made a complete fool of herself. ‘But only if I can bring dessert.’

He was dessert enough but she wisely kept that gem to herself and nodded.

‘What’s your number?’ He took out his mobile and after she rattled off her number he pocketed it again. ‘I’ll text you later for your address.’

‘No worries.’

Jane braced as he leaned down to brush an all too brief kiss on her cheek. ‘See you then,’ he said, before releasing her hand and striding away, too tall, too gorgeous, too much.

Jane didn’t fall for guys, not anymore, but in that moment she came mighty close.

CHAPTER

17

Doing so many late gigs, Kody was used to sleepless nights. Often after a concert he’d be so wired he’d stay awake until morning then crash early the next night. However, having to spend time with his daughter after minimal sleep didn’t seem the brightest idea. Not that he hadn’t tried, but every time he closed his eyes, the last twenty-four hours would play like some goddamn movie, leaving him restless and on edge. His ankle had throbbed intermittently all night and the painkillers had done little. So he’d face his daughter tired and grumpy. Great.

A knock sounded at the door and trepidation strummed his spine. What if he screwed this up? He didn’t care so much for himself—he’d never had a real family and had closed off his heart to one a long time ago—but what about Isla? She deserved better than some deadbeat dad who’d leave sooner rather than later.

The knock came again, louder and more insistent, and with a hearty sigh he hopped to the door and opened it.

Before he could say anything, Tash said, ‘Sorry, I forgot it would take you longer to answer.’

He heard the words but for all he knew Tash could’ve been talking Mandarin because his gaze had zeroed in on Isla. His daughter.

She had his eyes. Big, with the slightest tilt upwards at the outer corners, though hazel whereas his were brown, but her smile was all Tash. Isla stared at him with a mix of hope and fear, and all he wanted to do was reassure her everything would be okay. But he had no right making promises like that, not when he remained clueless as to how this would pan out.

‘Hi.’ Isla pushed past Tash, who appeared rooted to the spot and wore the