“Wow, that's quite the day from hell! I’m sorry, Elena. Me and my big mouth, I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t have much of a filter. Sometimes I open my mouth without thinking.”
“It's okay. Don’t worry about it. You weren’t to know. I guess my life does look pretty sad right now. I was supposed to be up here getting married this weekend, and now I’m hanging out with my parents, watching Netflix.” I finish cleaning up the spill. “Did you need to go over the plans? I was hoping to show your architect some of the samples I’ve got for the bathrooms.”
“That's okay, we don’t need to finalise any of that yet. You can talk to him about it later. So, you're an interior stylist?”
“Yeah, I’ve mostly worked as a stylist and assistant to the head designer on that TV show Project Reno. That's why Dad asked for my help with this project. I’ve helped them with the renovation for most of the house already. But this was an exciting new project he sprang on us, and it’s nice to have something to work on until I get myself sorted out and get my own business up and running.”
“Oh, really, you worked on a TV show? That would’ve been all right.”
“You’d think so, hey, but in the end, it was long hours, a lot of travel, and no recognition for a pretty shitty wage. It was time to move on. I should’ve just waited until I had some sort of a back-up plan.”
“If you have a portfolio of some of your work, I could show it to our architect. Sometimes we need help with the styling for the sale of some of the larger projects. I know he’s been looking for the right person to take over that part.”
“Really? That would be amazing. I can show you my work right now if you want,” I blurt, probably a little too excitedly. I really do need my luck to change, though.
Seeing my excitement, he offers me a bigger smile this time. His smile is gorgeous. He really should do it more often. “I’ve got no idea about all of that, you're better off talking to him. Come into the office on Monday morning, I’ll let him know you're coming.” He hands me his business card.
“Thanks, that's really nice of you.” I take the card from him and put it in my pocket. He’s looking at me like he wants to say something else. “Did you get everything you needed? Are there any questions you need me to pass on to Dad?”
“Oh no, it was all pretty straightforward. Just tell Jim I’ll email through the final designs, and if he can approve them this week sometime, I’ll get them into council so we can get started as soon as possible.”
“No worries, I'll show you to the door.” I walk over to the door, holding it open for him. As he walks out, he turns to me again. What’s the go with this guy? First, he’s all serious, then he’s lost for words.
“Elena... if you're looking for something to do this weekend...” he mutters, looking down, suddenly shy, “I’ve only been in Byron for six months myself, so I haven’t really settled in, other than hanging out with my business partner. Maybe we could hang out, if you like? I know you have just come out of a pretty serious relationship, so not a date or anything, maybe just as friends. If you want to hang out with someone your age rather than watch Netflix with your parents, that's all.” That’s a surprise, not what I expected him to say at all.
“Sure, why not? It's been a long time since I’ve been out in Byron. You can show me the hot places to go.”
“Okay, perfect, I'll pick you up from here at seven then?”
“Sounds good. Thanks, Blake, see you then.”
Well, that was interesting. A night out as ‘friends’. I thought he would have run for it when I told him my shitty life story. Maybe my luck is changing. I knew today was going to be the start of something better, and it looks like I was right.
Chapter Two
Elena
I peek through my bedroom blinds to see a white ute pull up in front of my house. How predictable, a builder driving a white ute. I quickly lace up my black Doc Martin boots. I don’t want to keep him waiting too long, or he’ll get chatting with my parents and this will all go to shit before it's begun. I check out my reflection in the mirror.
Man, I love these boots, I look hot! Jessie always wanted me to wear heels and look like a girl when we went out, so I did. I hadn’t even realised how much of a doormat I had become. Everything he suggested, I did without a second thought. The more I think about it, we were never a good match. I just fitted into his life and became what he wanted me to be. Never again. I have learned from my mistakes, and from now on I’m living life my way. Strong, independent Elena is back, and the world better watch out!
I walk down the hallway with a little skip in my step. I'm so excited and nervous. It's been a long time since I’ve been out with someone new. Mum and Dad have opened the door and are chatting to Blake. He radiates this fantastic self-confidence as he shakes their hands. Man, he looks good in black jeans and a button-up. Dad lays the plans out on the dining table and is talking his head off about his latest ideas.
“Hey, Dad, put them away, he's not here for work.” Both men look up and give me a stern look.
“What, he’s not,” I smile over to them with a super sweet smile. That tells them I'm cute but I'm going to get pissed
