Rumor Has It by Jill Mansell Read Free Book Online Page A

waste any time, do you? And talk about unoriginal. Watch out, girl,' he told Tilly. 'Next he'll be saying he's sure he's met you before, and you'll believe him and start wondering where.'
        'Max, shut up. This isn't a chat-up line; it's the truth.' But Jack Lucas was laughing as he said it, making it impossible for Tilly to know whether he was telling the truth or not.
        'I'm from London. We haven't met before.' If she had, Tilly knew she would definitely have remembered.
        'Well, you're here now. And Max and I sometimes work to gether, so I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other.' The playful glint in his eye told her he was perfectly well aware of the double entendre. But something altogether more impressive was happening, Tilly discovered, at the same time. When he looked at her, it felt as if all his attention was focused on her; when he spoke to her, it was as if all he cared about was what she might say in return.
        Neat trick.
        It was also, of course, the sign of a champion seducer. Tilly could just imagine the trail of broken hearts a man like Jack Lucas must leave weeping and wailing in his wake.
        At that moment the front door opened and slammed shut, and Louisa erupted into the kitchen in her navy school uniform.
        'You're here!' Her eyes lit up and for a moment she hovered just over the threshold, unsure what to do. Then she rushed over and flung her arms around Tilly. 'I'm so glad!'
        'Hey, how about me?' Jack was indignant. 'Are you glad I'm here too?'
        'Of course I am. I'm always glad to see you.' Louisa hugged him in turn. 'Even if you do smell of paint.'
        'So sorry.' He gave one of her coppery plaits a fond tweak. 'Rush job on today and we were two men down. If I'd known you were going to complain, I'd have sat back and let the others get on with the work. Anyway, you can talk,' he added, pulling a face. 'You smell of… ugh… blackcurrant.'
        'Nesh's mum drove us home, she gave us some sweets. It's what kind parents do. Hi, Dad.' Louisa gave Max a kiss, then grinned over at Tilly. 'And kind Girl Fridays too, when it's their turn to pick us up from school.'
        'And then you aren't hungry and you don't want your tea,' said Max.
        'Dad, that's so not true. I'm hungry now! What are we having? Jack, are you staying for something to eat?'
        Erk, Tilly hoped not. If cooking dinner was her job, she didn't need Jack Lucas hanging around and distracting her on her first day in the job.
        'Not today. I'm out for dinner this evening.' Jack glanced at his watch. 'In fact I'd better be off, I've got tenants to see in Cheltenham first.' He turned back to Tilly, gave her that thrilling look again. 'What am I missing?'
        Tilly didn't have the foggiest; she hadn't even checked the con tents of the fridge yet. 'Something fabulous.'
        Jack grinned. 'I'm sure. Never mind, some other time.' Raising a hand and moving to the door, he said, 'Right, I'm off. See you soon.'
        When he'd left them, Tilly said, 'Well, he thinks he's irresistible, doesn't he?'
        Max looked amused. 'Jack's all right. He's a good mate. And to be fair, most of the women around here think he's pretty irresist ible too.'
        'I know that kind,' said Tilly.
        'He'll make a play for you, don't worry. It's up to you, but if you go for it, don't go getting your hopes up,' said Max. 'Strictly no strings, that's Jack. Bedpost? There's been that many notches there's no bedpost left.'
        'Euww, Dad! Can we not talk about this?'
        Max ruffled his daughter's hair. 'Sorry, pet. I'm just warning Tilly, letting her know the way things are around here.'
        As if she would be attracted to Jack Lucas for one moment. Honestly, the very idea. Tilly said bluntly, 'Don't worry, I'm not planning on being anyone's notch, especially someone who uses chat-up lines like—'
        The kitchen door swung open and Jack