The Unexpected Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell Page A

bottom right of the picture.
    â€œI didn’t know it was all going to turn out so perfectly,” she said. “If I had, I’d have taken the parents’ details and sent them a copy. They were over there”—Sophie gestured to the right of the photo—“just out of shot. But I had no idea. It wasn’t until I checked the frames on the computer later that night that I realized what I’d gotten.” Smiling at the memory, she added, “This is what’s so fantastic about photography; you never know when you’re going to create a bit of…magic.”
    Josh watched her hands dance and her eyes light up as she spoke. The way her evident love for her work shone through was oddly touching.
    â€œYou have to be good at it too,” he pointed out.
    â€œI know.” Sophie glanced at him. “I am. But you already know that.”
    There was just something about her. She wasn’t like other girls. Hiding a smile, Josh said, “I do.”
    ***
    Ten minutes later, they were in the car on their way to the hotel. Tula realized she’d sprayed too much scent over herself when she saw Josh inhale, then slowly exhale and lower the driver’s window.
    â€œI’ll meet you in reception at nine tomorrow,” he said. “And tell you everything you need to know.”
    She beamed. “Don’t worry. I’m a fast learner.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œAnd thanks for giving me another chance.”
    â€œWe needed someone. It works both ways. But I meant it when I said you mustn’t let us down. If I ever catch you doing what you did last week…”
    â€œYou won’t,” Tula assured him hurriedly. “I told you I wouldn’t.”
    â€œYes, well. If you ever miss a shift, you’d better make sure you really are sick.” He gave her a stern look of warning. “And hangovers don’t count.”
    â€œI know that. You just wait.” With a mischievous grin Tula said, “I’m going to be the best employee you ever had!” Whoops, the double entendre had been unintentional, but it gave him the opportunity to raise an eyebrow and make a wry, jokey comment. Because if he was changing his mind about taking her on, surely this meant there was a chance he might fancy her just a little bit?
    Was it really so unreasonable to think that?
    Instead, after a pause Josh said, “Can I ask you a question about Sophie?”
    Okay, evidently it was unreasonable.
    â€œWhat do you want to know?”
    â€œAccording to Riley, she doesn’t have boyfriends. He’s never seen her with anyone. All she does is work.”
    â€œAnd that’s a problem?”
    He shrugged. “No, but it’s unusual.”
    â€œYou mean you can’t get over the fact that you asked her out and she turned you down?”
    â€œNot at all,” Josh protested. “I’m just curious.”
    â€œMaybe she’s a lesbian.”
    His eyebrows lifted a fraction. “Is she?”
    Entertaining though it would be to pretend this was true, Tula couldn’t bring herself to do it. She shook her head and said, “No.”
    â€œSo what’s the situation?”
    â€œWhy don’t you ask her?”
    â€œI’m asking you first.”
    And there was certainly no way she was going to tell him. Tula said, “I think she’s just concentrating on building up the business. That’s her number one priority right now.”
    They’d reached Mariscombe House. Josh pulled into the parking lot, switched off the ignition, and turned to look at her. “Which means you know, but you’re not going to tell me.”
    Which in turn would probably only succeed in intensifying his curiosity. But what other choice did she have?
    â€œMaybe it just hasn’t occurred to you that you might not be as irresistible as you think,” she said.
    His half smile indicated that he was aware that as far as she