Laurel didnotwant to get involved in whatever that was. They were Nate’s friends. He could deal with that. With friends like that, who needed enemies? Why did Jess and Owen even keep Alex and Lucia around? All it seemed they did was cause drama. Jess had fallen over herself apologising for her guest and almost pleading with her not to take it to heart. Lucia was used to being the centre of the world, and here was Laurel, all beautiful and kind and successful, with Nate. Laurel had protested that they were just friends, but Jess just waved that away. A rather tipsy Jess left her at her door, Laurel reassuring her that she was okay, that it was fine, she absolutely did not care what Lucia thought. Which was mostly the truth.
Besides, she was slightly tipsy herself, and bed was calling. Laurel kicked off her shoes and grabbed her case.
Wait.
Why were there two cases sat nicely against the door? Whose was that one? Surely, surely, her and Nate weren’t sharing a room with only one bed? Ah, there was a blanket and a couple of pillows on the chaise lounge so one of them would have to sleep there. Although it was very small.
Regardless, she was going to have to take her makeup off and get changed. Oh god. She had grabbed the first thing that had come to hand; the wine-coloured satin cami and short set Rebecca had got her. Well, that was that then. Laurel was tiddly enough that she wasn’t even that shy about him seeing her in those short shorts and lacy top.
Laurel pulled her phone out and called Rebecca.
‘Oh my god, why are you calling me? You should be having fun, Laurel.’ Rebecca didn’t even say ‘hi’.
‘I am. I’ve just come up to bed and wanted to talk to you,’ she said, flopping onto the bed. ‘I’m on a farm. Nate’s friends live on a farm.’
‘Uh, what do you mean? Up to bed?’
‘Rebecca, you won’t believe this. He didn’t tell me it was an overnight thing.’ She dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘We’re in a room with only one frigging bed.’
‘You couldn’t write that shit.’ Rebecca cackled down the phone. ‘You should one hundred percent jump him!’
‘Uh no,’ Laurel said, flopping back on the bed. ‘Did you and Jack have date night tonight?’
‘Aah, look at you sister-in-law, away with a handsome man and worried about your best friend.’ Rebecca was enjoying this way too much. ‘To answer your question, we did.’
‘And?’
Jack had better have got his act together and realised that Rebecca was the best thing to ever happen to him, and that he needed to treat her better.
‘We’ve booked a holiday.’ Laurel could hear Rebecca smiling down the phone.
Laurel sat straight up, shocked. ‘You have not! Where? When?’
‘October half term, a week in Spain. It was even Jack’s suggestion.’
That was amazing news. After years and years of only Rebecca going away because Jack was insistent that he couldn’t leave the farm, he’d finally realised that they needed a break. They needed family time, all together. He needed to be Jack the father, Jack the husband, not Jack the farm manager. He also needed to relax.
‘No frigging way. That’s amazing, Rebecca, I’m so happy for you.’
‘Yeah, I know. He’s really listened. We’re even going away for a weekend as well, just the two of us. He’s going to book it. It’ll be a surprise.’
‘No way. Where is your husband and what have you done to him?’ This was not the Jack she knew. It was a new and improved Jack, and Laurel was fully there for it.
Rebecca’s voice quietened. ‘After Nate opened his eyes a little bit, pointed him in the right direction, I think Jack got a bit scared I would take the kids and leave him,’ she said quietly. ‘I wouldn’t. I mean of course I wouldn’t. But it worried him.’
She had never thought Rebecca would leave her brother, but now it had been said, Laurel could fully see it. Jack, inattentive and taking her for granted, would have been oblivious.
‘If you ever did need to do that for you and the kids, I would support you, yeah? I wouldn’t be judgmental.’ Laurel followed up quickly. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I would be forever trying to get you and Jack back together, but I would be there for you.’
What sounded suspiciously like a teary sob came down the phone. ‘You’re the best best-friend-slash-sister-in-law anyone could ever wish for.’
‘I love you too, Rebecca.’ Laurel smiled.
‘Enough of that. You are staying in a room with only. One. Bed. Please tell me you took the sexy pjs?’
Laurel groaned. ‘It was the first thing that came to hand. I was in a rush!’
‘Laurel, I need you to do something for me,’ Rebecca said. ‘I need you to put on your big girl pants and get some sexy times on the go with Nate Daley.’
