I’ve just had my head stuck in that pitch and then this thing with Selene came up that I’m really excited about. I guess I didn’t really think.’
‘Not a problem,’ I said, pasting on a smile. So, Selene was more than just a one-night stand then? It would seem that Michael O’Farrell really was moving on – in all directions. ‘I’m sure you can manage and if you can’t, then just shout and I can always pop round one evening to help you finish off.’
‘Yes, right. Sounds good.’
‘You sound about as thrilled at that prospect as of shopping,’ I said, looking up at him. ‘Or perhaps Selene could help? She’s clearly got great style.’
‘Yeah.’ He nodded distractedly. ‘I’ve been thinking about what you said about my bedroom needing some attention.’
‘Oh?’
‘I mean, if I’m going out for this stuff, maybe I should just go the whole hog and get anything I need for that too. At least the whole place is finished then.’
‘Sounds like a sensible plan. And it’ll be good for you to have somewhere that looks less…blah.’
‘“Blah”?’ He quirked an eyebrow at me.
‘Yes. Blah.’
‘You’re calling me “blah”?’
‘No,’ I said, standing and turning to smooth the edge of the bed where we’d been sitting. ‘I’m saying your bedroom should reflect who you are a little more. And whilst you’re a lot of things Michael O’Farrell, “blah” is definitely not one of them.’
He frowned at me. ‘I think, if I dig deep enough, there might be a compliment in there somewhere.’
I smiled and headed out of the room.
Michael followed me. Then he stopped. ‘Wait a minute.’
I turned.
‘Why on earth would I ask Selene to help me decorate my home? I mean, yes, you’re right, she does have great style and she loved the house, but I think asking a prospective client to pop round and stick up some tinsel might not be the professional action I could take.’
I stared at him for a moment. ‘She’s a…Oh…I just thought that…And you said she…And you were both…’
‘Are you actually going to finish any of those sentences?’
I thought for a moment. ‘Probably not.’
He gave me a half-smile. ‘So you thought me and Selene were a thing?’
‘She’s very beautiful. And she was leaving your house early and looking very friendly. It was hard not to assume…’
‘She’s flying to New York this morning but wanted to pitch something to me before she went. I’ve known her and her father – and her husband – for years now and have done some work for them before. They have a project they’re proposing in Paris and I’m their first choice for architect. She wanted to talk to me about it before she jetted off, just to see if I was interested. It was just a business breakfast meeting, nothing more. She’s effusive in her attentions to people she likes, male and female. It’s just her way. But it wasn’t anything more than that.’
‘Oh. Well. That’s great then. I mean, about the possible Paris job, I mean. Not about you and her not being an item. Which is fine too. Obviously. I mean, it’d be fine if you were too, although, not technically, as she’s married but you know what I mean.’
Michael was looking at me, bemused. ‘Glad that’s all cleared up then.’
I think I need a lie down.
‘So, getting back to my bedroom and your accusations, what do I need to do to make it less…“blah”?’
I shrugged. ‘It’s your room. You know what you like. You’re an architect and you said you’ve been doing up houses with your family since you can remember. You must have an idea by now.’
‘I’m a design guy – structural stuff. Colours and twiddly bits like cushions were always dealt with by the girls.’
‘How very modern and enlightened of you.’ I cocked an eyebrow at him.
He held his palms out. ‘Hey, I didn’t make the rules! Although it may have had something to do with me and my brothers thinking navy blue was a great idea for one of the bedrooms in a place once.’
‘Navy can be nice.’
‘True. But probably not for all the walls and ceiling.’
‘Ah yes. Well, now I can see why the decision-making privileges on that aspect might have been withdrawn.’ I slid him a look. ‘You’re not thinking of doing that in there, are you?’ I nodded up the stairs and he laughed.
‘No. I hasten to point out that we were teenagers at the time. I’d like to think my taste has improved a bit since then. Although I’m still a bit lost when it comes to twiddly bits.’
‘I can give you a list, if you like?’
‘Can it be an incredibly detailed one?’ His tone was hopeful.
I sighed. Michael looked at his watch.
‘It’s nearly lunchtime, how about I take you to lunch and maybe you can just kind of give me a few pointers whilst we’re out?’
I frowned and looked at my own watch. ‘Michael. It’s half past ten.’
‘Even better,’ he said, resting his hands on my upper arms. ‘How do you feel about breakfast?’
‘I’m not sure I have any specific feelings about it.’ I couldn’t help smiling.
‘Great. I know just the place. Come on.’ He turned to go, taking my hand as he did so.
‘Michael you don’t have to buy me breakfast or lunch to get me to help you with this. I’m happy to do it.’
He took a couple of steps down the stairs, then looked back at me. ‘And I’m happy to take you to breakfast.’ He came back up a step, causing me to tilt my head to look at him. ‘Hopefully it’ll go some way to making you forget what a pain in the arse I was when you first started here.’
‘I’m not sure I’ll ever forget that. But,’ I moved my head to keep his gaze as he began to look away, ‘it doesn’t mean I haven’t forgiven you for it. You don’t need to buy forgiveness from me.’
‘I’d still like to take you to breakfast.’
‘You mean you still want help with the shopping.’
‘If I can only have one, it’s still breakfast.’
‘Because that one features food?’
Michael laughed. ‘Give me a break woman. You’re ruining all my romantic gestures
