When Past & Present Collide: WP&PC by Sarah Hardy Read Free Book Online Page B

job.”
    I poured us some more wine but Jacob placed a hand over his glass, “I best not , sweetheart, my car’s at work and I need to collect it before I head on home. But thank you for the offer.” We finished our pizza and garlic bread, Beth and I could not believe it all disappeared thanks to Jacob.
    Beth got up, “hey you two , I’m just going to call Joshua, back in a bit.” She looked all giddy; Beth and Joshua had been together for a couple of weeks now and they were well in their honeymoon period. Jacob stood up and shook her hand, “I will probably be gone by the time you get back, maybe we will see each other around. Bye Beth,” She cuddled into me and whispered in my ear. “He's a keeper. Don’t let him go.”
    Jacob and I tidied the pizza boxes away and I started to wash the glasses, he was leaning against the breakfast bar, looking preoccupied.
    “Are you okay , Jacob?”
    I said turning as I continued to wash.
    He approached me cautiously. He came up behind me and placed his arms around my waist, as his chin rested on my shoulder and inhaled sharply. A few of his tears dripped on to my top.
    “I’m good , sweetheart. But I need to go.”
    I was lost for words.
    I turned around, but he retracted and slowly headed to the stairs. We walked down in silence. When we got to the bottom, he turned around and placed the sweetest kiss on the tip of my nose. “Goodnight Baby.” And he left.
    I stood there astonished . My eyes were all glassy.
    D id I get it so wrong? I was hurting him more staying friends. I gradually strolled back upstairs and Beth was sitting on the sofa.
    “I saw Ella , you’re breaking his heart and you need to make it right or leave the job.” I sunk down next to her. “I know. I don’t understand him though; when we are at work he never mentions our outside life. Work is work. And when we’re outside he never mentions work life, he only talks about us. He keeps them separate, and I can’t grasp why?”
    She cuddled me in. “Does it matter? Maybe, he thinks if he involves work too much then it becomes complicated. He's keeping the barriers between work and social separate. That’s a good thing.”
    We both sat there in silence for age s. “Yes I guess you’re right, Beth. I’ve got a business dinner with him and clients tomorrow evening, and then I will inform him I’m departing the company. He can’t move on while I’m in his face 24/7.”
    Beth was dumbfounded. “Ella, think about this. Once you leave, it will be hard to go back.”
    I sa t up straight, “I have to, Beth. Did you see the look in his eyes when he left? Every time we are together he's tormented that little bit more. Damn, I can’t torture him any longer. I’m moving on.”
    I looked away regretful, “that also mean s I will be moving on from here. I’m sorry Beth. I know its short notice but I will be gone by the weekend. I will pay the rent until you get a new tenant. If I don’t leave, I will only destroy him completely and he doesn’t deserve that.”
    We sat in silence. Beth didn’t argue as she knew if I couldn’t be with Jacob there was no possible way I could be around him while he loved me.
    The only problem was , I didn’t know whether my past could damage his heart more or we would be good together. The only thing I really knew was the more I tried to distance myself, the more he got attached. I tried, honestly, so many times to keep away from him even though it tore me apart, but Jacob was determined I would be his, even though that determination might be the root of all our problems.
     

Chapter Five
    Day Two

    Ella.              
         “Where are my keys?” I screamed at everyone. I knew I had left them on the sideboard. I always leave them on the sideboard. I glanced around as everyone had stopped mid step. Why were they all standing there staring at me, as if I had lost the plot?
    Frank and Jacob both frowned at me. “Where did you put them?” Frank