The New Beginnings Coffee Club by Samantha Tonge

Author:Samantha Tonge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2017-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

I arrived back at the coffee shop and made my way inside. I left my box of sketches in the car; I just wanted to get to the bedroom and digest my confrontation with Chanelle. Without thinking, I hurried through the shop instead of our private entrance and only acknowledged Noah and Elle with an automatic smile. From the kitchen, I spied Martini out in the back garden, eating a sandwich. I bit my lip and ran the tap. I filled a glass with cold water and took a large glug.

Deep breaths.

So my old home was being deconstructed. No matter. It wasn’t as if I was ever moving back.

Footsteps. I looked up. Noah stood in the doorway.

‘Jenny? Everything okay?’ asked that sunny, honey-toned voice.

‘Yeah, thanks,’ I said and, hand shaking a little, put down the glass. He strode over and held my shoulders firmly.

‘What’s the matter?’ His brow wrinkled. ‘Your eyes look red.’

‘Nothing.’ I shook him off and hurried towards the foot of the stairs leading to the loft. Somehow he appeared at my side and took my hand. He led me into the lounge.

I pulled away again. ‘Leave me alone, Noah. Sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. I just need some space.’

He stood back. ‘Okay. I understand that. But I’m here if you need me. Remember, we’re friends, right?’

‘What’s the point in that?’ My shoulders jerked up and down. I was angry that tears had started to stream down my cheeks, as if the shock over my former home’s makeover was only really settling in now. I never used to cry. It seemed like recently I was making up for all the dry years. ‘I thought I knew Chanelle after a year – had a connection, you know? Yet she stabbed me in the back.’

‘I’m not Chanelle,’ he said, firmly. ‘Was she at the house?’

‘Yes.’ I gulped. ‘Redecorating. Before moving in. She admitted that the only reason she befriended me was to get close to Zak. I’ve been a right mug.’

He stepped forward and his tone softened. ‘No you haven’t. All you’ve done is innocently see the good in people. And I can assure you I have no ulterior motive.’

I stared at the floor.

‘Although I did need a new running partner who’d make me realise just how fit I’d become, so don’t blame me if I’m only getting to know you for that reason.’

I looked up and the twinkle in his eye got me. ‘Idiot,’ I mumbled and lunged forward, letting him wrap his arms around me. For a few minutes I blubbered and eventually pulled away and sniffed again.

‘I shall have to wash this shirt now,’ he said and looked at the damp patch on his chest. ‘See? You just aren’t my kind of woman. You should be doing the washing, not making more.’

‘Misogynist!’

He smiled. I managed to smile back.

‘Seriously, though, just be glad you’re a better person.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Right now, what you need is friends, Jenny. So I’m glad we put an end to that … that stuff in the tent.

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