“True,” Maggie admitted. “But I won’t relax until I see what the bestselling mags back home, like Coffee Break and Chit Chat, say.”
“They’re out tomorrow, right?”
She nodded. “With the time difference, we’ll get our first glimpse of what’s in their next issues tonight on their websites. If we make it through this week’s edition relatively unscathed, we should be okay. If not...” She broke off, not wanting to put it into words.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Tracy laid a hand on her arm. “It’d be different if you’d had a go at someone they know, like that Russian billionaire who owns Chelsea.”
“I suppose so.”
“From tomorrow, things will go back to normal.” Jenny raised her coffee cup in a salute.
“Not really. Samantha has received a formal demand from Lee to change the custody arrangements. That’ll be very hard to fight.”
“If he’s so determined to change the rules, you should be, too.”
Maggie tilted her head, considering. “How do I do that?”
“Apply for residency and move here permanently.”
“I’ll second that.” Tracy nodded her approval.
“I’d love to, but if Lee gets shared custody, Em’s life would be totally disrupted. She’d be pulled from pillar to post every few weeks. Assuming he’d even give permission.”
Tracy pursed her lips. “I can’t see him giving an inch.”
“Perhaps you could make it worth his while,” Jenny mused.
“How?”
“Offer to take Emily back to England during school holidays. In between, they can Skype, like you suggested before. He gets regular contact and quality time without disrupting Emily too much.”
Maggie’s stomach twisted. “I don’t want her staying with him. Even with Patty there to run interference, I don’t trust him.”
“Won’t shared custody mean she has to stay with him whether you like it or not? This way, you dictate the terms.”
“I suppose so,” she admitted reluctantly. “I’ll check that out with Samantha.”
“By then, you and Jake will be a settled, steady couple, so he’ll help keep Lee in line.”
Her heart thunked heavily. Once. Twice.
“Settled? Steady?” She forced the words out of her suddenly numb lips. “I’ve only just left my marriage behind. I’m not sure I’m ready to leap into another serious relationship.”
Even as she spoke, her mind began playing with the idea. Would it be so bad?
“One thing’s beyond doubt,” Tracy said. “Jake’s a far better man than Lee ever was.”
“Yes!” Jenny pumped the air with her fist. “We’ve converted your cynical sister.”
Tracy rolled her eyes. “I’ll still hang, draw and quarter him if he hurts Maggie.”
“Don’t worry. If that happens—which it won’t—I’ll help you.”
“You’re jumping the gun.” Maggie shook her head. “We’re nowhere near that stage.”
Jenny waved her hand dismissively. “Sure you are. For a start, Jake’s in love with you.”
This time, Maggie couldn’t force out a sound.
In love with her? He couldn’t be. Could he?
As if she’d heard the silent question, Tracy nodded. “The guy’s in love with you.”
Maggie stared wide-eyed at her sister and her friend as their words tumbled around her brain. “How can you tell?”
“He’s settling down, looking to build a future with you. Inviting you to the gala evening was proof of his commitment,” Jenny said. “He’s never been prepared to do that before. He’s always preferred hot-and-cold-running bed partners rather than one special woman.”
Memories of how that event had turned out brought Maggie back to reality with a jolt. “The gala evening was a disaster.”
“True, but he’s worked hard to make things right,” Tracy said. “Why bother if he isn’t in love with you?”
“It’s obvious.” Jenny nodded. “Just as it’s obvious you’re in love with him.”
“I’m not...” The automatic denial died on Maggie’s lips.
Was she in love with Jake?
Something clicked inside, like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle sliding into place. The rush of sensations and feelings made her light-headed. Warmth, happiness—this was right. Tension, worry—could she trust herself to know what was right? Iciness, fear—was she making another mistake?
Yet in the midst of the maelstrom, there was a core of certainty. It grew with each passing second, corralling and calming the swirling emotions, until there was only the steady glow of assurance. Her heart gave a joyous skip, then pounded.