Page 127 of Finding Us
“Are you kidding me, you have no idea how far that kind of money could go.”
“Well then that’s settled. I’ll let my PA Claire know, and she’ll reach out to you with all the particulars.”
“Wow, thank you.”
When I feel Jacinta’s hand willingly come to rest on my thigh under the table, I place mine on top of hers and lace our fingers together. That move, although small, means so much. It has nothing to do with keeping up appearances, because nobody can see it. I’m so glad I came now; I’ve enjoyed my time here and I feel like I’ve made new friends.
My eyes slowly move around the table. I’ve always been a bit of a loner, because I found it hard to trust people. Betty, Rob, and Connor were the only people I’ve ever let in. That is until Red. Since meeting her, I’ve changed, and I like the direction my life’s taken. For both me and my son.
When my eyes move to Blake, I find him smiling as his chin rests on his hands … his focus is on Angel, and he’s hanging on to every word she says. Are they cartoon hearts I see in his eyes? I smile at the thought; he’s come so far in such a short time.
Our circle is expanding, and all we need now is for Red to come back to us—for the right reasons of course—and when she does, I’m going to marry her.
Chapter36
Mason
Ilet go of Blake’s hand so I can knock on the door. Connor answers a short time later. “I come bearing gifts,” I say, holding up the small esky in my hand. “Freshly caught fish. Since I have no clue how to cook it, I thought Jacinta might do it for us.”
I had the best time out on the water with Logan today. I really like him; he’s a good bloke. Blake spent the day at their house, playing with his kids.
Connor cocks an eyebrow as his eyes scan over my face. “You’re looking very healthy, sun-kissed and … non-green.”
I bark out a laugh. “That’s because I handled those rough seas like a champ. Don’t feel bad,” I say, placing my hand on his shoulder. “We’re not all cut out for those kinds of manly adventures.”
“I was hungover when I went out with him,” he growls.
“Right.”
“I fuck—” His words die off as soon as he notices Blake standing beside me. “I was.”
“So, you’re sticking with that story?”
“Absolutely.”
I chuckle again because we both know he’s full of shit. “Is Jacinta home?”
“No, she got called into work?”
“Really? Brooke never mentioned that when we got back to the house.”
He lifts one shoulder. “Some girl named Candy called an hour ago and begged her to fill in for her tonight. Her son was in the hospital or something along those lines.”
“Candy the stripper?”
“What?”
“Her friend Candy is a stripper.”
“You must have her mixed up with someone else, Jaz would never …” He frowns, pulling out his phone. I get an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach as I watch him type out a message to her.
Connor: When you said you were going into work, you meant the dance studio right?
I’m holding my breath as we stand there in silence, waiting to see if she replies. “She just read it,” he says. “She’s replying now.”
When his phone pings, he holds the screen up for me to see her reply. It’s one word.
Jaz: No.
