Jessie Slaymaker's Non-Existent Love Life (The Jessie Slaymaker Series) Read Online Free Page A

Jack, not that he spoke much. So far, it had been like getting blood from a stone when it came to trying to get him to talk. Jessie also found it off-putting that whenever she asked him anything he looked at her like she’d mortally offended him or something. Tom wasn’t helping, either. He sat there wearing a sullen sulk, looking thoroughly disinterested in everyone around him. She guessed he hadn’t managed to spy any totty and was subsequently in a bad mood. To top it all off, Charlie was seated over at the far side of the room behind a sea of other people. Just bloody typical. It was like the stars had aligned and conspired to keep her away from Charlie all day—and instead keep her in the general vicinity of this creepy Jack guy.
    Finally the dinner and the speeches were over, and Jessie excused herself to go to the bathroom, to make sure she still looked presentable. Satisfied she still looked polished, and with a fresh layer of lip gloss, she strutted back to the main hall, head held high. Now was her time—time for her and Charlie. She scanned the room and spied Tom chatting to a dishy-looking guy near the band. That would be him sorted for hours, she thought to herself as she continued scanning the vast space for her prey.
    Then she saw him. Sat at the bar with none other than the grand misog himself, Jack.
    ‘Don’t tell me they know each other,’ Jessie muttered under her breath as she grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She took a big sip and propelled herself forward, plastering on a smile which she hoped said bright and breezy to Charlie, and go away to the impossible Jack.
    Whether they knew each other or not, there was no way Charlie was enjoying Jack’s less-than-sparkling conversation skills. She could tell by the way Charlie’s shoulders were hunched that he wasn’t at ease. She had to save him. She would be the one to rescue Charlie from the world’s worst conversationalist, and then he would see her in her true light. A kind, caring, selfless, and sometimes funny woman with lots to give.
    She marched towards Charlie with a purpose, sure that her plan was flawless. She would go and interrupt Charlie and this Jack character, and Charlie would be eternally grateful to her for saving him from the hardship of talking to Jack. Bye-bye, Jack. Then the band would start playing and Charlie would ask her to dance, look deep into her eyes, and say something about not realising what had been right before him the whole time.

Chapter 9
    Jack and Charlie were sat at the bar, drinking beer and chatting about the wedding so far, and how happy their friend Nick seemed to be. They weren’t exactly sharing the easy comfortableness of their youth, but they weren’t yelling at each other either. Jack was finding it hard to find the words he really wanted to say. All he really wanted to do was to find out about Jessie, and how serious Charlie was about her.
    ‘When were you going to mention her then?’ Jack asked, finding it impossible not to bring up the subject any longer.
    ‘Who?’ Charlie replied suspiciously.
    ‘The green goddess,’ Jack replied cheerfully.
    ‘The what?’ Charlie asked, looking totally lost now.
    ‘The girl from my table. Jessie, I think her name was,’ Jack explained trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. It only just then occurred to him that maybe she didn’t wear green everyday, and that it was his nickname for her, not his brother’s. He didn’t want to know what his brother called her.
    ‘Jessie? Oh, you mean Jessie from work. What about her?’
    ‘You don’t have to play coy with me, Charles. I know a woman in love when I see one.’
    ‘Don’t know what you’re on about Jack, I barely speak to the woman. Did you see that bridesmaid though? Nadia, I think her name was. She is on a promise tonight,’ Charlie said, with full-on male bravado. Jack didn’t push it any further. His brother was obviously shy, or maybe protective about this Jessie girl,