Chasing What's Already Gone (Second Chances Book 1) by Michael Ross Page A

Danny?”
    “Oh, anything with chocolate in it.”
    JB passes Gemma a ten-pound note. “I’ll have a caramel fudge sundae, and get something for yourself.”
    I have very quickly learnt three things: 1) She is the boss , 2) she has a very good memory, and 3) she has a wicked sense of humour.
    There is a queue at the counter, so we have time for something a bit more meaningful than small talk.
    “Over the last few months, for me your name has changed several times, from Ella to Gemma to JB. So…what does JB stand for?”
    There is a hesitation before she answers. “Jessica Bethan.”
    “Nice names—both of them. The thing is, and it might seem crazy to you, but you have been so elusive, so hard to track down and then when I find you, you’re hiding behind a mini-acronym. Jessica is a lovely name and so is Jess. Okay. This may or may not be my only chance to make an impression on you. Whether we share an ice cream together and never see each other again or…or you start to believe I am genuinely committed to wooing you.”
    Her face screws up into an uncomfortable-looking frown.
    “Make all the faces you want. I am wooing you. And it starts with your name, Jess. It’s not up for discussion. If you want every other person on the planet to call you JB, that is your privilege. My one and only singular privilege is to call you Jess from now on.” I wait expectantly for her response. The frown is still there, but there is a question locked up in her eyes.
    “You’re married.”
    “I’m not.”
    “You cheated.”
    “She cheated.”
    “I don’t know anything about you.”
    “I don’t know anything about you.”
    “I’ve got a career.”
    “I’ve got a career.”
    “I don’t want children.”
    “You’ll bloody well do what you’re told!”
    We both crumble into our seats with laughter. She brings out the best in me!
    “Wow, you two seem to have hit it off.” Gemma passes over the ice creams, giving Jess a questioning look that she thinks I cannot see. Jess shrugs her shoulders and questions me.
    “Where do you live, Danny? Bristol, wasn’t it?”
    “Chepstow, actually. Bristol is the nearest place with a big shopping centre.”
    “So it’s an hour to get here and an hour to get back. That’s two hours out of your life you cannot get back.”
    “Absolutely. And as luck has it, I’m opening a new depot for my company only fifteen minutes away from here.”
    “That’s a long commute every day.”
    “It won’t be; I’m moving into the area. I will be looking for somewhere to live locally. Maybe the two of you could give me some advice.” I’ve included Gemma in my comments, but I’m actually thinking, Jess, can we go house-hunting together?
    She has no time to answer. Bloody mobile phones!
    “JB here. Sure. Yes. We will both be back within ten minutes. Please calm down—it’s no big deal. Ten minutes.” She turns to Gemma. “Beresford has got his knickers in a twist. Is that man useless or what? We’re going to have to get back to the office.” We get out of our chairs, and I follow them back to Gemma’s car. I start to get in through the back door.
    “I thought your car was parked on the other side of town.”
    God—she does not miss a trick. I walk around to the driver’s side and shake Gemma’s hand. “I hope to see you again, Gemma.” By the time I get around to the passenger side, Jess is sitting in the car, but the door is still open. I lean closer. “It is so nice to meet you, Jess.” I squeeze her hand very faintly. “Until the next time.” The fact that she has not corrected me feels like a major battle has been won.
     
    ***
     
    “It’s been a strange day,” Gemma says.
    “Yes, it has that. Still, once the dust settles, people are going to understand the Glasgow closure was inevitable. Seven-thirty. I should be knackered after a day like this.”
    “But you’re not?”
    “No. Weird, isn’t it?”
    “It is, because I am absolutely all in. Wherever can all