A Jersey Kiss (Jersey Romance Series) by Georgina Troy

own multi-national business by now.”
    He shook his head. “I know. Disappointing, aren’t we?”
    “ Never mind,” said Bea holding her stomach to ease the pain caused by so much giggling. “We only didn't succeed because our priorities changed. And we’ve still got loads of time to achieve stuff.”
    “ True,” he said quietly. “What do you want to do most?”
    “ When Aunt Annabel first died, I thought I wanted to continue with her gardening designs and carry on with the one she was taking to the Chelsea Flower Show this year.” She pictured Annabel with her designs in her shed. “But although I grew up with her teaching me stuff about gardens, I’ve got my own garden to keep going and need to find a way to buy out Simon. I don’t have a sponsor for the show and to be honest I don’t have the expertise to see it through.”
    Tom smiled at her. “You’re still grieving over her, Bea. Most of my memories were of your aunt chatting to us while we lay in the sun, or her bullying me to mow her lawn or something. She was a big character and brilliant at her designs. You’re doing well enough just trying to keep her home together for her. That’s enough for anyone to deal with on their own.”
    “ Thanks, Tom. It’s good to hear you say that.” Bea swallowed the lump in her throat and pushed away a memory of passing bulbs to her aunt as she planted them. She’d always been happiest in her garden. “I sometimes don’t know how I’ll manage it. I try and remember the fun bits of my aunt, but I miss her too much to be able to do that very often.”
    “ You’re doing very well. Just hang in there and focus on fighting that shit of an ex of yours.” He looked up and Bea blew her nose on a tissue from her bag. “Ah this looks delicious,” he said as Gio put a plate down in front of each of them.
     
    “Er, Tom,” she said, suddenly noticing Giuseppe was cashing up and the waiter was watching them with a tired expression on his face. She waved her hand in front of Tom to get his attention. “I think we’ve outstayed our welcome.” She motioned to the empty room. “We’re the last people here.”
    “ When did that happen?” Tom asked, before quickly finishing his drink, and nodding at Giuseppe for the bill. That paid, he stood up. “Come on then, let’s make a move.”
    Taking her by the hand, they said their goodbyes to Giuseppe and his staff and Tom led her outside where he immediately flagged down a passing taxi.
    He shouted Bea’s address into the cab’s window, and helped her into the back. “Bea,” he murmured huskily, sitting down heavily next to her. “I’ve had a wonderful time with you again tonight. It’s been fun catching up about us and not having to concentrate on work issues.”
    “ Tom, I was wondering, while we’re not at work, if you’d be able to tell me more about this Luke business. You know,” she mouthed the words ‘money laundering’ so that the taxi driver couldn’t hear her. “I just can’t quite believe he could be involved, as you seem to think.” There, she thought, she’d voiced her doubts to him.
    Tom took her hand, all humour vanishing from his expression. “I understand how difficult this must be for you, but I can assure you he is involved, or I suspect he is.” He thought for a moment. “I know I shouldn’t, but come to my office on Monday and I’ll show you the irrefutable proof that I’m not lying to you about this.”
    Bea grimaced. She’d ruined their evening by bringing this matter up. “I wasn’t insinuating that you’d lied, Tom, but it seems so unlikely.”
    “ You know him that well, to believe him incapable of something like this then?”
    Bea shook her head. “No, but…”
    He put his arm round her and gave her a hug. “I know, I’m so sorry. It’s difficult to be involved in something this distasteful, whichever way you’re connected. I do understand your concerns, Bea. You’re right to ask me for proof, and on