Kayleigh looked around the vast reception. She'd been impressed by KHF's building the moment she walked in, and truth be told, she still was, but M&M Insurance Ltd. Head Office was on a whole other level.

She felt small walking amongst the high rises of East London, but as the lift climbed up the famous walkie-talkie-shaped building, she found herself wondering if she could take up architectural design should Abigail Kilton ever decide to wipe her off the face of the fashion industry. The place was a masterpiece with its 360-degree views and iconic shape that formed part of London's magnificent skyline.

She reached the reception desk determined, sure and more confident than she'd ever been.

"Good morning. I'm here for Jack Monroe."

The friendly-looking girl gave her a sweet smile as she brushed her blond fringe away from her eyes.

"Sure thing, Ms Moore," she said in a northern accent. "He's in the boardroom right now, but I'm sure Mr Monroe will want to know you're here. Just give me one second while I go tell him."

Kayleigh's heart did a happy little skip realising this woman knew who she was and still wasn't calling security on her.

That had to be a good sign, right?

She looked around and her eyes landed on the boardroom to her left. She could see Jack through the glass door. He was absorbed in the work in front of him, an expression of pure focus adorning his face.

Feeling bold, she turned back to the receptionist and gave her a wide smile. "That's okay. I'll let him know myself."

Without waiting for a reply, Kayleigh marched across the minimalist lobby and flung the door wide open. Jack looked up and his face was a mixture of surprise and happiness when his eyes found hers.

Another good sign, Kayleigh thought.

He stood up and she practically ran to him, throwing her arms around his shoulders and, as she felt his hands on the small of her back, she jumped on the tips of her toes and kissed him before she could lose her nerve.

Thankfully, Jack didn't hesitate. He didn't question the fact that she was at his workplace, kissing him with an urgency and fervour that was very uncharacteristic of her, just days after telling him she needs time and space away from him. No. Jack kissed her back, his fingers digging into her hips as his shoulders relaxed under her palms.

The sound of someone clearing their throat brought Kayleigh back to Earth, and, realising it was neither her nor Jack, she jumped backwards completely horror-struck. Taking a look around the boardroom, something she obviously should have done before attacking the man like a desperate feral cat, Kayleigh realised she had just interrupted what seemed to be a very serious meeting.

"Er... Can we continue this later, please?" Jack said stuffing his hands into his pockets and piercing her with a handsomely electric gaze. He didn't sound angry. He didn't look angry either. But Kayleigh wanted to drop dead with embarrassment right there and then.

"Oh my gosh," she exclaimed breathlessly. "Yes, of course. I am so sorry for interrupting. I'll wait outside."

But as she turned to leave, Jack leaped forward and grabbed her wrist.

"Not you," he commanded in a tone that made her stomach do very funny things. She had never heard him speak that way before. He tore his eyes away from her and directed his gaze to the room. With one nod of his head, all the ‘serious’ people stood up and filed out of the boardroom.

The door closed behind the last suit and Kayleigh summoned the courage to lift her eyes back up to Jack's. Her Jack. The Jack with the wicked smile and the fun twinkle in his warm, brown eyes. Nevertheless, she felt the heat creep up her neck and she covered her face as she sunk into the nearest chair.

"Oh, no you don't." he said pulling her back into him. He peeled her hands away and studied her face patiently. "Tell me. To what do I owe this very, very sexy visit, Kayleigh Moore. Whatever it is, I promise I will make it happen every day if this is the outcome."

Drop. Dead. Now! Kayleigh thought.

"I need to talk to you," she started awkwardly, her newfound confidence now completely non-existent.

"That wasn't talking, baby," Jack replied cheekily.

Kayleigh closed her eyes. She was going to burst into flames if he kept this up.

"Okay, okay. I'm listening," Jack chuckled taking his hands off her and stepping back.

Kay opened her eyes again and exhaled. She cracked her knuckles and shook her hands to get rid of the nerves. She had to do this. "I have to tell you something."

"Okay," Jack said slowly, his mouth dropping into a slight frown as he leaned against the large, glass desk.

She hesitated for a moment. She may have been convinced she was doing the right thing, but that didn't make it any easier. "I want to ask you not to get angry with me, I don't want to make you angry. But I won't because you have every right to be. And you would probably need to be angry after I tell you this. And before you say anything, I know I don't deserve anything less than complete and utter wrath. I completely understand if you can never forgive me, but-"

"Baby?" Jack said raising his brows at her in concern.

"I'm rambling... Okay... Right. Like ripping a band aid," Kay muttered before taking another deep breath. "I'm in love with Marcus Burrows."

Kayleigh's heart stopped beating. Jack's face stopped moving.

Don't stop. Don't stop! the voice of reason in Kay's brain urged.

"I have been in love with him for a very long time. It's a very long and very complicated story and I don't think I can justify half of it. I thought it was all over, but after seeing him again, I don't think it is."

"You don't say," Jack burst out with a sarcastic scoff which made her blink several times in surprise. "Kayleigh, I'm not stupid. I know you two are more than acquaintances. The way you look at each other, the way he looks at me, the way he knows everything you like, everything you're allergic to, how many floors there are to your apartment..."

Kayleigh blanched as she remembered Marcus's slip up when they were outside the Coppa Club.

"You caught that?"

"Yes," he replied scratching the back of his head. "I felt there was a history the first time we had lunch together. But I hoped it was just that. History."

Kayleigh felt her heart throb painfully. He didn't deserve this. This beautiful man didn't deserve this.

"I hoped it was just that too," she whispered truthfully.

"So, is this why you're here? To tell me that you're choosing him?"

"No. First of all, I need you to understand that this isn't a game of Who'd You Rather, alright? There is no first and second choice for me. I'm here because you deserve to know where I stand... with both of you."

"And where's that?" Jack Monroe shrugged and Kayleigh recognised the sudden change in his attitude. His eyes were cold, guarded and intent on looking away from her. His body was stiff again, closed off.

Not a good sign. But what did she expect?

"I'm acknowledging my feelings for him," she went on bravely. "And my wishes. I don't want to love him anymore. That's the truth. And it's not because of you or because of Abigail. It's because I deserve better. I'm sick of all the drama and the tension. It's been years and nothing good ever comes out of it. Whatever it is. I want to move on."

Jack exhaled a staggered breath. Slowly, he allowed himself to look at her again. He studied her, his expression sour as he considered her words. "You want to move on. What does that mean for me, exactly?"

Kayleigh felt his anger, not in his voice but in his eyes.

"I don't know, Jack," she whispered holding back the tears. She could see the pain she was causing him and she hated herself for it. "I feel like I can't make that choice-"

But she stopped talking when Jack shook his head and stood up straight, letting his frustration surface.

"Kayleigh, I can't hold your feelings against you, okay? You know what you feel for him and what you feel for me. But don't play with me! Don't disrespect me like that! If you're confused, just say it-"

"I'm not confused," Kayleigh interrupted him placing an urgent hand on his chest and removing it quickly when his eyes fell to the spot where they connected. "I am very certain of what I want. Or in this case, what I don't want. I do not want to be with Marcus. I'm sure of it. I'm determined. Despite what I feel, it is case closed for me. But when I think about you, about being with you, I get scared."

"Of what?" he asked in disbelief as though he genuinely couldn't understand what there is to be scared of.

"Of taking the easy way out. You can make me forget him. You do make me forget about him while I'm with you. You make me forget about everything when I'm with you. But you deserve so much better than that."

Jack swallowed. Kayleigh wanted more than anything to hug him at that moment. But she knew it wasn't what he needed.

"Is that the only reason you'd want to be with me?" he asked, his voice breaking midway.

"Of course not! Why do you think this is so hard? Why do you think I'm telling you all this? I'm torn! On the one side, I don't want to feel like I'm using you and on the other, I don't want to throw away the chance of having something great with you just because of some stupid, lingering, childish feelings for someone who keeps hurting me."

"Childish feelings? You just said you're in love with him! How the hell am I supposed to compete with that?"

Kayleigh let out a disbelieving laugh. Was this guy for real?

"You're not! And please, don't! We've only gone out together a few times but I do like you, Jack! For you! Not because you are a distraction or because you make me forget. But because you are a genuinely, nice person. You make me laugh. Hours pass by in seconds with you! I've been holding back, because... because some part of me wasn't ready to let go of Marcus. And I don't think that's fair on you. I felt like crap all the while, Jack, and I couldn't decide what the right thing to do was. So, I realised the only thing I could do was to tell you the truth and hope you could make the choice for me."

"Does he know about this?" Jack asked after a while, crossing his hands over his chest.

Oh no.

"Yes."

"So you talked?"

"Yes."

"Just talked?"

Oh no!

Kayleigh hesitated, but she had come this far...

"No."

Jack swallowed again. More anger, more pain.

"Does he have feelings for you too?"

This question was harder to answer for different reasons, but Kayleigh kept to her resolve. She looked at her restless fingers and replied, "He says he loves me, but I don't believe he does."

Another pause.

"What if he breaks off the engagement? Will you go running back to him?"

"He won't."

"What if he does?"

Kayleigh forced her eyes up. Jack was looking at her directly, fiercely. He wasn't going to take anything less than solid, concrete facts. Before her was a man who needed information. He was calculating everything, weighing every possible scenario. He would grant her request and make his decision, but it would be on his terms.

"I don't want him," Kayleigh replied clearly and with certainty as she remembered the feeling of her heart shattering into a million pieces for the second time because of him. "He's done enough to show me his true colours. Wedding or no wedding, I'm done."

"You're done."

A single tear ran down her cheek and she wiped it away quickly.

"I'm done. I'm sorry I am hurting you like this, but you deserve to know the truth. If we are going to start anything, I want you to know everything. I made my decision with regards to Marcus and nothing will change it. I will understand and respect your decision too. And you, of course. I will always respect you, whether you want to see me again or not."

👜👗👒

- End of Book 1 -