Yes, she had missed him. Shewanted him back in her life. No denying that now. Seeing him todaybrought that back very clearly.
When Chloe awoke, the cobwebs hadcleared. The angle of the sun streaming through the window gave thetime away.
Impulsively, Chloe picked up thephone and searched through her contacts for Samantha’s smilingimage.
“Hey Samantha, wedidn’t get much of a chance to chat yesterday. Do you want to dropover for some lunch today?”
“Sure. Let me checkthe appointment schedule. I have an hour a half free if you canhold off until one thirty. Daniel should be back by one o’clock andhe can hold down the fort.”
“Great. Any specialrequests? I could whip up a French omelette and a green salad ifyou are happy with that? Some kind person filled my sparkling newfridge with goodies. Thanks.”
“That would be Todd …not me, honey. He is the organised one. You will have to thank him…”
“Oh. Well. That wasvery nice of him.”
“Yes I am sure hethought he was being verynice. Come on, sweetie, give the guy abreak. He was obviously thinking you would need freshsupplies.”
“He went to a lot oftrouble with the house and everything, didn’t he?”
“He sure did. And youdidn’t seem to be over the moon yesterday. I thought you would havebeen thrilled with the new rooms.”
“You both did afabulous job … you all did, actually. Patrick and his crew pulledout all the stops and transformed my house into somethingbeautiful. And I really appreciate the work you did, gathering allthe furniture and the appliances I had picked out.”
“Then could you pleasethrow Todd a bone and tell him that. He’s been going around allmorning looking like he just lost his last dollar. I’d better go.I’ll see you at 1.30ish. Okay.”
As Chloe chopped theavocado and prepared the salad, she mulled over Samantha’s wordsearlier. She had vacillated between being thrilled and a little putout yesterday. On one hand she conceded Todd had wanted to dosomething special for her, maybe to make up for what had happened.On the other hand, she had wanted to have the pleasure of dressingthe rooms herself. Samantha had asked her to give him a break. Tobe fair, he had tried very hard to talk to her yesterday, and sheshut him down every time. Maybe it’s timewe talked.
Wiping her wet handson the tea towel, she flipped open her iPad. She quickly typed amessage, and stalled on the sign off. Composing an email to Toddhad never been this hard before they had the argument. Her fingerhovered over the send button. Come on,what is stopping you?
The doorbell announced her lunchguest had arrived. She saved the email in drafts, and pushed theiPad to the back of the counter.
“I’m coming, andyou’re early.” The beaming smile she wore for Samantha quicklyfaded to a surprised expression when she opened the door to Todd.The surprise and his proximity caused her stomach to flip over. Noneed to send the email now.
“Oh. Come in. I wasexpecting Samantha.” She hesitated long enough to make the kiss onhis cheek a hasty and clumsy affair. She squirmed inwardly at herawkwardness now around him. “But I am glad you’re here. I was stilljetlagged yesterday. I didn’t properly thank you for pulling thehouse together so quickly.”
“No problem. As longas you’re happy with the end result. I wanted to make sure you’drecovered from your jetlag. And to drop off your sketchpad. Andthis.” Todd held up the satchel containing her sketchpad. He handedher a long slim envelope.
She slid a finger under the flapof the envelope, opening it as she made her way down the hall tothe kitchen. Todd followed. She stopped abruptly and turned, frownlines appearing on her face as she studied the document. Theynearly collided. “I don’t understand. This is a contract. Acontract to work as an intern for Baker Renovations.”
“Your house is nearlyfinished. You said you needed something to do to keep busy. I’vehad a contractor I use for interior design take a look at yourdrawings and notes. They’re comprehensive. Your sketches arebeautiful. You clearly have an eye for design. I’d like to offeryou a chance to use your talent. See where it takes you. Mycontractor is interested in taking you on board as an intern.Showing you the ropes. That is … if you are interested.”
“My God. Really?That’s very generous of you.”
“Generosity didn’tcome into the equation. This benefits both of us. I can see youhave potential. I’m willing have you work with the contractor tosee what you can produce with her help. It’s a one-house deal forthe moment, to prove yourself. If all goes well … then we’llsee.”
“I need to sit down.This was unexpected.” Chloe perched on the end of the sofa as shereread the contract. “Okay. if I decide to take you up on youroffer, where is the house you want to decorate?”
“It’s the house welooked at in Portsea.”
“You are kidding me,right? That house is huge! Chloe raised her hands, her fingertipscovering her mouth as she considered the possibilities. She lovedthat house, what she saw of it from the outside anyway.
A noise in the hall distractedChloe.
“Anybody home? Hey. Doyou leave your front door open so that any Tom, Dick or Harry cancome wandering in?” Samantha sashayed into the family room, holdingout a pink baker’s box. “Hi Todd. I didn’t know you were coming forlunch too. I would have brought more dessert if I’d known.”Samantha glanced first at Todd, then Chloe. Tension prickled in theair like electricity. She shot Chloe a questioning look, oneeyebrow raised. “I guess I can cut them up to share.” She depositedthe box containing two éclairs on the marble bench.
“Not staying forlunch.” Todd never took his eyes off Chloe. “Think about it. Let meknow, okay?” He picked up the bag, removed the sketchpad and set iton the coffee table. He folded the empty satchel and tucked itunder his arm. “Later ladies.”
Chloe regarded his retreatingfigure, too stunned to move or say another word.
“Earth to Chloe. Tellyour best friend what’s going on.”
“I
