Page 73 of Into These Eyes
“Hi.”
Did I hear a tremor in that single syllable? Unsure, and when she doesn’t offer anything further, I say, “Okay … so I could sayheyagain, but that might make you sayhiagain and then I think we might get stuck in some weird sort of loop that has no—”
“I’m here. In the carpark,” she interrupts. Unfortunately, there’s no mistaking the lack of amusement in her tone.
“Be right there.” As head to the parking lot, I try to blame the oppressive humidity for my sudden lack of energy. But who am I kidding? She has bad news. It was right there in her voice.
When I reach her car, she glances up at me through the tinted window. Even though thick storm clouds darken the sky, she’s hiding behind sunglasses. When she climbs out, I notice her work clothes and the severe ponytail. It’s almost 8pm but it appears she’s come straight from work.
“Can we talk?” she asks, as if I might tell herno.
“I’m all yours. Whatever you need, whenever you need it.”
Though they need no adjusting, she pushes her sunnies higher on her nose. She’s flustered. But there’s something else there, too. Something I can’t pinpoint.
“I might have to hold you to that,” she says quietly.
My heart beats a little faster.What does that mean?
“Well, let’s get you out of this sweltering heat and into the sauna.”
She gives me a tight little smile, though none of the tension emanating from her eases. “Sounds inviting.”
Intrigued, I motion toward the path leading to my caravan, step up beside her and place a hand on her back. I really have no need to touch her. Unlike when Fletcher had been mouthing off and I needed to show him she was protected. This time, I expect her to move out of my reach, but she doesn’t. And that’s goddamn dangerous. Hope is a treacherous beast.
We reach the hot-box without Fletcher or anyone else throwing insults at her, and I usher her inside.
Right away, she toes off her heels, tosses her handbag on the small bench seat and slides in after it before she removes her sunnies.
I want to smile at how at how she’s made herself at home, seeing it as a clear indication that she’s comfortable with me, but as soon as I catch her eye, I deflate. Sliding into the seat opposite, I forget to make an effort not to brush my knees against hers.
“Something’s wrong,” I state.
“Not really. Maybe. I’m not sure,” she rushes out in one breath.
“Right. Well, let’s see if we can figure it out.”
“How do you like it here?”
The question’s so unexpected, I wonder if it’s a tactic to delay what she’s really here to tell me.
“As in, here in this tin-can?”
She nods, glancing around. Though she shows no distaste, it’s obviously not the nicest place on earth.
“It’s wonderful,” I say. “The sauna’s free; I can pretty much reach everything without having to take more than a step or two; there’s a free reality show provided by the other guests on a regular basis; strict rules, so you never have to wonder where you stand; the air-conditioning doubles as a white noise machine—well, that’s not true, white noise is its only function—and, of course, let’s not forget the cosiest bed ever known to mankind.”
“That’s what I thought,” she says, the faintest smile forming on her lips.
“Why do you ask such an intriguing question?”
She grips the edge of the table in front of her and takes a deep breath. “I have an idea.”
Whatever’s going on, she’s nervous. “Okay, let's hear it.”
“There’s … there’s a place that has plenty of room. A place that has a swimming pool, and a bedroom with an amazing mattress. A place that doesn’t feel like an oven, but does actually have one in the kitchen. There’s ducted air-conditioning—which I’m afraid to say, doesn’t act as white noise. There’s also a large TV and a proper dining table and— “
“Jamie,” I interrupt, my heart thudding, unable to believe what she’s offering. Because I’m either dreaming or completely misinterpreting her. “Be direct.”
