London Bound by Jessica Jarman Page B

into bed for the night. Lying in the dark, staring up at the ceiling, she weighed all the pros and cons of getting involved with Nathan. Thought through the different scenarios and various outcomes that could happen.
    Basically pretending she hadn’t already made her decision the moment she’d read his note.

Chapter Six
    “W ell, you look like shit, friend.”
    Nathan sent Georgia a two-fingered salute as he settled heavily on the barstool. She just laughed and got him a pint. He accepted it gratefully, draining half the glass in one go. Christ, he was exhausted. He’d been in the damned office the last two fucking days, completely out of his depth dealing with R&D issues his sister normally handled. That was her area, not his. Lara could hardly be blamed, though, as she was in the States with their youngest sister. Which was where he’d been until last week—cleaning up Maddie’s latest mess.
    “Wanna talk about it?” Georgia offered.
    “Not particularly,” he said shortly, softening his tone with a brief smile.
    She patted his hand. “I’ll keep’em coming until you say stop.”
    “Thanks,” he mumbled.
    His mobile buzzed several times in his pocket, and he reluctantly pulled it out, expecting to see more panicked emails from the techs or engineers. The tightness in his stomach didn’t ease in the slightest when he saw Lara’s name on the screen and opened the texts.
    So sorry all that fell on you, Nate. Going through the reports, now.
    I’ve set up a video conference w/team—9 AM London time.
    Four AM for her. Nathan didn’t envy Lara that wake up call.
    That was just FYI, BTW. No need to fry your brain trying to sit in on those fun times.
    Nate snorted and scrolled down.
    Fantastic job putting out the fires, though. I know it wasn’t easy.
    Mum & I saw Maddie this morning. Much better today. Mum thinks I should head home at end of the week. Don’t know if I should leave her alone, but don’t want you having to deal with everything there.
    I hope you’re not still at the office, idiot.
    He shook his head and tapped out, Nag, nag, nag. Having a pint, right now. Call me after your video conference, and we’ll talk. And no need to hurry back on my acct. Got it handled and under control.
    It only took a minute for her response.
    Never doubted that. But shouldn’t always have to be you. Enjoy your pint. Have one for me. Talk in the morning. Love you, wanker.
    Love you back, harpy.
    He shoved the phone back into his pocket with a sigh and lifted his glass. Knowing Lara would be meeting with her team eased some of the tension gripping him. Even via video conference, she could deal with any of the issues better than he could being physically there.
    “So,” Georgia drawled, sliding a fresh drink in front of him, “anything happen between you and the pretty American?”
    He stared at her blandly, careful not so show any reaction that would fuel her little gossiping heart, even as his own leapt at the thought of Meg. The morning he’d woken up alone, he’d gone to her flat right away, and she hadn’t answered his knock. After several more tries throughout the day, he’d left that damned note. Then, work had called. Even if she’d decided to come to him—as he’d hoped she would—his waking hours had been at the fucking office. She likely thought he’d changed his mind and was no longer interested. Which couldn’t be farther from the truth. The one truth in Nathan’s life at this moment? Meg was the single best thing that had happened to him in a long time, and he wanted to explore what that meant. Even if it was only for the short time she was in London.
    Why hadn’t he left his mobile number on the note? Fuck.
    Georgia smirked. “I only ask because she’s standing just inside the door, staring at you like a deer deciding whether to bolt or not.”
    Nathan slowly turned on the stool. The pub wasn’t crowded at all so his gaze immediately went to the lone figure at the entrance. Her hair