“Long story short, we started dating not long after that day, and I fell for her—hard and fast. She was stunning, driven, intelligent, and incredibly goal-oriented. She had a clear vision of what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to chase it, something I deeply admired about her. Three months into our relationship, we learned we were expecting Jake, and six months later, we eloped—a decision she never let me forget, even though it had been her idea in the first place. Everything moved so quickly, butat the time, I didn’t care because I was completely in love with her.”
He shakes his head, as if trying to rid himself of the memories. “I’ll tell you this, though: love can be one of the most amazing things to experience, but it can also be one of the most painful. So, Mila, one day when you decide to give your heart away to someone, make sure they’ve truly earned it, that they... genuinely deserve it.”
Absorbing the full weight of his words, I lean forward, resting my hand over his and giving it a gentle squeeze. He glances down at our joined hands, then, in a move that takes me completely by surprise, he grips my hand and lifts it slowly to his mouth. The instant his soft, warm lips brush my skin, my chest hitches and my breath catches—only for it to shatter just as quickly.
Jason jerks his hand away, as if suddenly realising what he’s done, and stands up abruptly. “Come on. Let me walk you out,” he murmurs, signalling the end of our game, and night.
I force a tight smile and nod, doing my best to conceal the hurt and disappointment.
From the hardness in his expression and the sudden urgency to usher me out of his home, it’s clear he instantly regretted that move. And I’m not sure whether that stings more than the rejection itself.
As we reach my car, he thanks me once more for my help before saying good night. I slide into the driver’s seat and slowly pull out of the driveway, my mind racing with just one question: What the fuck just happened?
CHAPTER 7
Jason
From across the room, I watch as Chris expertly guides our newest bartender through the steps of making a Negroni. It’s his first day back at work, and he’s wasted no time at all showing Gemma the ropes.
Friday nights at the restaurant are typically one of our busiest times of the week, but tonight, it’s been fairly quiet. And now that Chris is back at the bar, I’ve finally been able to catch up on most of the work I’ve pushed aside while he was away.
Now that things are finally under control in the restaurant, I seize this brief window of calm to check in on the staff. “How’s our girl doing?” I call out as I approach the bar.
Chris looks up from pouring the sweet vermouth into a cocktail glass and shoots me a grin. “She’s a natural,” he says, giving Gemma a wink. “Already on her eighth cocktail.”
Gemma smiles at me as she slices an orange into thin wedges. “I’ve really enjoyed making them. I’ve practiced so much at home, I’m afraid I might have turned my roommate into an alcoholic.”
Chris and I both chuckle. “I’m glad you’re getting the hang of things because as of next week, you’re all on your own kiddo,” Chris announces, nudging her on her shoulder.
“I think you’ll do just fine,” I reassure her. “You’ve impressed me with what I’ve seen so far, so keep up the great work.”
“Thanks boss,” she replies, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
Chris wipes down the counter and sets a clean glass in front of Gemma. “So… ready to tackle your first Negroni?”
Her whole face lights up with excitement, then, carefully prepares the cocktail, step by step, exactly how Chris had shown her earlier. Each task is executed with focused precision, ensuring the drink is crafted perfectly and to Chris’ liking.
Once she’s satisfied with the final product, she gently slides the beverage towards me.
“Will you do me the honours of taste-testing my first ever Negroni?”
I give her a playful wink, then raise the glass in front of me. “Cheers guys!” I toast, taking a slow, generous sip of the cocktail, my gaze never leaving Gemma’s.
Licking my lips, I relish the crisp, citrusy bite of the drink, noticing Gemma’s eyes lingering on my mouth, her throat giving a subtle, involuntary twitch as she swallows.
My skin prickles under the heat of her gaze, and I have to steady myself quickly before she or Chris, realises just how much she disarms me.
Setting the glass on the counter, I shoot her a wide, satisfied smile. “Perfectly made! Well done, Gemma. You’re an absolute pro!”
She beams, her smile radiant and warm, just like the sun. There’s a captivating energy about her, as if beneath her girl-next-door charm lies a wild, untamed spirit just waiting to emerge, and, inexplicably, I find myself wanting to explore that side of her.
Yet, something seems to be holding me back. And it’s not just because she’s my employee, there’s something far more complicated at play. Since Mila and I have been spending more time together, I’ve been feeling this strong magnetic pull towards her—a force that grows harder to resist with eachencounter, like that brief, intimate moment we had the other night.
I don’t know what I was thinking, kissing her hand like that. It was as if something had taken over me in the heat of the moment, and I just let it happen. Maybe it was the intensity of our conversation about love and stolen hearts that triggered the reaction. But whatever it was, it can’t happen again—especially after seeing the genuine hurt in Mila’s eyes when I pulled away.
I won’t deny that things have been shifting between us ever since we started our little game. I find myself looking forward to her company more and more, drawn to her in ways I can’t fully explain. But no matter how much I enjoy her presence; it doesn’t change the fact that she’s my best mate’s ex-sister-in-law, and my son’s much younger babysitter.
With her sister and Kaden going through a separation, I’m concerned about how my relationship with Mila might affect their already fragile emotional states. I don’t want to risk all our friendships, especially when there’s no certainty that the relationship would even work out.
