She shivered. Perhaps itwas the cool night air, or perhaps the memories were too much toendure. They made their way inside to enjoy their coffee in thelounge.
At the frontof the house, its picture window overlooking the bay, the loungehad been the first room to be redecorated since her return. It wasboth comfortable and comforting at the end of the day. Her parents’original pieces, made of Tasmanian Blackwood, furnished this space.They had stood the test of time. Since coming home, the couch andchairs had been reupholstered in a modern jacquard fabric, and shehad added a few personal touches of her own to bring this room upto date. Some brightly coloured scatter cushions here, a table lampthere. An original Australian abstract oil painting on the featurewall, a throw rug and some candles brought it all together. Theroom had been transformed to a warm and welcoming retreat. Thepleasure she gained from the work she had already put into thehouse could not be measured. This was what she got out of bed forevery single day. It had never occurred to her that she could excelat something else. Dancing had taken over all aspects of her life.Until now.
They sat together on thecouch, close but not touching. She piled the cushions behind herand faced him. As she relayed the gruesome details of the accident,and the many operations she had to endure, tears did fall. It hadbeen harder than she thought to talk about it, but once shestarted, it became easier to describe her feelings and fears ofwhat the future held for her. Leaning forward, she took his hand inbetween both of hers.
“You know,Todd, I really didn’t like you when you came to my front door thatfirst day. I thought you were an egotistical pompous arse. Icouldn’t wait to get rid of you.”
“You reallyknow how to bolster a man’s ego.”
“And when youbrought me the Eiffel Tower doorstop, I still thought you werepainful, and conniving. I thought you wanted me to look at thatEiffel Tower every day and to be so homesick for Paris, I would bedesperate to sell up. Then it would only be polite to offer to buymy house.”
“Please, don’thold back!”
“But I havehad a chance to get to know you a little better over the past fewweeks, and you have changed my opinion … slightly … Okay … alot.”
“That’s morelike it.” He smiled.
“I don’t thinkyou like to show it very often, but you do have a soft side. Idon’t have friends in Melbourne. I didn’t keep in touch when I leftfor Paris so I can’t image they would be happy to see me now. I tryto keep busy, but I do get lonely sometimes. On the flip side, Ibelieve you would be a stubborn mule when it comes to businessdealings, and you are determined to get what you want. I also stillbelieve you want my house, but you’re wasting your time if youthink you’re getting it.”
“I know I comeacross as forceful sometimes. Okay. Always. But it has paid off inthe past. I wouldn’t have what I have today if I hadn’t beenforceful. I have no excuses; I did want your house. Still do. But Ithink I have mellowed a little,” Todd said. “No, don’t laugh. It’sjust as much of a surprise to me, don’t worry. The truth is Ienjoyed spending time with you tonight. I enjoyed the conversationand the impromptu dance. I don’t often take the time to smell theroses, but tonight I did, and I surprised myself.
“Well, Todd,I’m pleased. We all need to find more time to smell theroses.”
Stillclasping his hand, she leant forward a little more and kissed hischeek. It was a platonic kiss. There was no intention on her partto make it anything other than a friendly peck. Washed out andtired from dredging up the pain of the past, she could not havetaken it further if she tried. Do I reallywant to take it further than friendship? That’s the million-dollar question.
He turned tocapture her lips, but she pulled back and stopped him with a lookand a slow shake of her head.
“I said I was grateful for your friendship. Don’t try to readinto it any more than that, okay.” Chloe immediately regretted thetone of her comment. Why are youbeing so rude to him?
“Can you helpme clear the table and bring the dishes into the kitchen, please?It’s getting late, I’m really tired and I have to make an earlystart tomorrow.” She rose quickly, picked up her empty coffee cupfrom the table beside her, and headed down the hall towards thekitchen.
She left himsitting on the couch. Have I scared awaymy only friend in Melbourne?
He appeared to be deep inthought.
In the ensuingweeks, Todd looked forward to visiting Chloe even if he wasn'tworking in the area. Occasionally he would turn up on her doorstepin the evening, clutching a bag of takeaway food or a bottle ofwine. They had formed an easy friendship.
She hadrelaxed so much in his company that she popped into his office andsuggested they attend an art gallery opening together.
“I saw thisgallery opening advertised in the local paper. I’d really like togo tonight. I haven’t taken the opportunity to enjoy the art scenesince I’ve been back. Will you come with me, please, Todd? It won’tbe too boring, and I’ll bribe you with the promise of foodafterwards. Dinner will be my treat, of course.” She sat downopposite him, rummaging in her bag for the flyer.
“How could Irefuse a free dinner? Of course I’ll come.” He smiled at herbenevolently as he took the flyer to study later.
“I’d betterget going. Places to go, people to meet. Just kidding, going hometo try and get this paint off my hands and glam up a bit fortonight. See you around seven?”
“Sure. I’llsee you then.”
She missed the delightedtwinkle in his eye as she delved into her bag to search for herkeys.
Chloe leanther walking stick against the wall and plucked a glass of champagnefrom the tray as the waiter weaved in and out of the crowd. “Look,Todd, there are a few celebrities
