A Wild Affair: A Novel (Jessica Wild)

A Wild Affair: A Novel (Jessica Wild)

The big day is almost here for Jessica Wild. She’s finally engaged to the perfect man–sexy, wonderful Max–and is in the middle of planning the perfect wedding. Nothing, absolutely nothing, stands between her and happily-ever-after. Well, almost nothing. Probably nothing. You see, lately Max has been evasive, even secretive. And when Jessica answers his mobile and hears a sultry woman’s voice on the other end, it’s the last straw. Leaving nothing to chance, Jessica tracks down the mystery woman–and finds her smack in the middle of Max’s embrace. The next thing Jessica knows, she’s waking up in the apartment of Max’s business rival after a night out that was meant to help her forget her woes. And when a series of even more tumultuous events leads to a life-changing discovery, Jessica realizes that things are not what they seem–not by a long shot. How could she have ever doubted the only man she’s ever wanted? And now that her job, her reputation, and her heart are in jeopardy, is love enough to give her the miracle she so desperately needs? Jessica Wild’s fiancé, Max Wainwright, truly is the man of her dreams. They work together at Milton Advertising and are now collaborating on a campaign for a secret merger between two banks, a high-powered deal that will put the agency and Max on the map. When a woman answers Max’s phone, Jess is horrified at being betrayed, and she drowns her sorrows in drink. Unfortunately, she also shares her misery with a new pal, Hugh, an advertising rival, and she may have let slip a detail or two about the merger. When it turns out that the mystery woman transforms Jess’s life in ways she never could have imagined, she desperately tries to keep Hugh from saying anything to Max. Nothing is going to spoil her unexpected joy, but can Jess keep her man and her job? Townley’s sequel to The Importance of Being Married (2008) and the second in her Wild trilogy is a sweet confection of a novel with a delightfully happy ending. --Hilary Hatton “In the character of Jessica Wild, Gemma Townley has created a wonderful heroine: warm, witty, and always entertaining.”—Alexandra Potter, author of Me and Mr. Darcy Gemma Townley is the author of The Importance of Being Married , The Hopeless Romantic’s Handbook, Learning Curves, Little White Lies, and When in Rome . She lives in London with her husband and son. Chapter One “We’re really going to get married?” I snuggled into Max’s chest. Max, my fiancé. Max, the man with whom I was going to spend the rest of my life. “We really are,” he confirmed, grabbing the remote control from where it had fallen under the duvet. Our duvet. I was still getting used to the idea, still pinching myself on a regular basis to check that I wasn’t dreaming. “So I’m going to be Mrs. Wainwright?” “You will if you decide to change your name.” “If?” A line of concentration was creased into Max’s brow, which I scrutinized. What was he trying to say? “You don’t think I should?” Max shrugged, kissed me, and looked back at the television. “It’s up to you. Personally I like your name. I think it would be a shame to change it.” I digested this for a few minutes, letting my paranoia dissipate slightly. I wasn’t naturally a paranoid person. Then again, I’d never really been in this territory before. In love, I mean. I’d thought I was immune to the whole concept until I met Max; thought it was a sign of weakness, an irrational response to the influence of romantic novels and makeup ads. But recently, things had changed somewhat; in the space of a few months, I’d gone from workaholic and determined singleton to love-sick fiancée, which meant that new rules were required—I just had to figure out what they were. It was simply a matter of adjustment. “I guess I’ll think about it,” I said, lightly. Max nodded; he seemed unconcerned. Me . . . I was concerned. This time, I wanted to get everything right, unlike the last time I walked down the aisle. I wanted this marriage to be perfect. Not that I’d been married before. Just . . . you know . . . nearly married. Actually, it’s kind of a long story. And not the kind of story you tell at dinner parties, unless you’re forced to. “So what are we doing this weekend?” I asked. “Why don’t we go out for dinner tonight? I can tell you all about the meal plans I’m considering for the reception. And we need to think about the wedding list, too.” “Tonight?” Max turned to me, a flicker of worry on his face. “Actually, tonight’s not that great for me, I’m afraid.” I looked at him accusingly. “And you’re telling me this now?” He shifted uncomfortably. “Something’s come up. I got a call last night . . .” “I knew it!” I thumped him. “You said that call was nothing. I knew you were acting funny afterward.” He had, too. His mobile had rung at ten and he’d walked out of the room to take it, which was normal, but when he’d come back in he’d been . . . I don’t know. Shifty. Guilty. And now I knew why. “I’m sorry, Jess. You know these thin