Read Online Chasing What's Already Gone (Second Chances Book 1) by Michael Ross - Free Book Online Page A

was having her name changed.”
    “I’ve blown it haven’t I?”
    “Of course you’ve blown it!”
    “What should I do?”
    “You’ve still got the hots for her then?”
    “You’ve got to believe it. I looked into her eyes and they swallowed me up. There was this one time when she turned around to look at me in the car, and it was like I had a zoom lens in my head and I could see into her mind.” I relive the moment in my head. “She did not blink and she did not say a word, but there were all sorts of messages that went beyond words. I’m not explaining myself very well. You wouldn’t know what I mean.”
    For the first time today, I have Rob’s sympathy. He leans back in his chair. “I know exactly what you mean. Tessa and I have been together for what? Well, even now that thing happens. We might be sitting quietly on the sofa, or in the middle of a furious argument, or we’ve just had sex and we look at each other and the world stops, and everything else going on does not matter. We know who we are, and no one else can fill that space.”
    “You’ve got it—that’s exactly how it felt!”
    Rob bangs his fist on the pub table. “Danny, ring her up. Now.”
    “I—I—”
    “Danny, ring her up now. Don’t even think about it, don’t plan what you’re going to say. Do it because each minute that passes that you don’t ring her, you are going to regret. And I’m here, in your corner, but I’m leaving in twenty minutes. Now or never.”
    He is right. Better to know than not know. I have already programmed the number into my mobile; I’ll probably have to erase it fairly soon.
    “Hi. Can I speak to JB Roberts, please?”
    “I’m sorry, she is tied up at present. I will put you through to Gemma. Who shall I say is calling?”
    “Daniel Pearson.”
    “Oh, hello, Mr. Pearson. Rose here. Just hold the line whilst I speak to Gemma.”
    The pub is extremely quiet. It feels like there is a room full of people waiting to witness my humiliation.
    “Hello, Mr. Pearson. Sorry to keep you waiting. Miss Barrow is tied up as well. One of them will ring you back shortly.”
    I bet they will.
    “No good?” Rob puts his arm around me.
    “No. I think they are giving me the run around.”
    “Oh, well. You did your best, old pal. It’s her loss. Another glass of Chardonnay and I’d best get going.”
    I’m not in the mood to argue, so Rob strolls up to the bar. My phone rings and the conversation is so short, it is finished by the time he arrives back with the drinks.
    “Blimey, Danny, you’re as white as a sheet. Has someone died?”
    I shake my head and struggle to find the right words.
    “It was her. I asked her out for a meal. We’re going out on Saturday night. I’m picking her up from the office at seven.”
    “You are pulling my leg!”
    “It’s not funny, Rob.”
    “Wow. Brilliant, just frigging brilliant. Well done, mate.”
    “The thing is…The thing is…”
    “Well, spit it out.”
    “The thing is, when she came on the phone, she said, ‘Hi, Danny. Jess here.’ “
    “What?”
    “‘Hi, Danny. Jess here.’”
     
    ***
     
    “Hi, Danny. Jess here.” Gemma cannot wait to mimic her boss’s voice.
    “Gemma!”
    “I just happened to overhear you.”
    “Overheard me—how?”
    “All right, I was eavesdropping—just a little.”
    “Eavesdropping? That is outrageous!”
    “I know. I do apologise.” The giggle at the back of Gemma’s throat does not dignify the apology.
    “Go away. We will deal with this later.”
    “Fair enough.” As Gemma walked back to her office, she repeats, in a stage whisper, once again, “‘Hi, Danny. Jess here.’”
    Sitting at her desk, Jess fumes and wonders what action to take before she realises that there is a large smile decorating her face.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter
    Twenty-Three
     
     
    “Can I borrow your car this Saturday?”
    “My car, on Saturday. Not a chance. Why?”
    “I can’t roll up on a first date