Page 55 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
She smiled brightly. “Right, sorry. Colour schemes and final touches.”
He looked amused. “Did I not already agree to all that?”
“Those were the broad strokes.” She hoped Matt wouldn’t realise she’d deliberately drawn out the process. “Today, you’re looking at paper and paint choices in every room. There’s less than a month to Kayley’s concert, so it’s better to be prepared in case there’s a long wait for something. I’ve material samples, photos and testers to put up around the house, so you can visualise how it’ll look.”
“I already told you I trust you to make the right decisions.”
“But this is the part that most people find fun!”
Matt rubbed the back of his neck. “You have me for the morning, but I have to meet a potential client after lunch.”
He smiled, holding her gaze for longer than necessary, and Daisy tried to ignore the chaotic flutters in her stomach.
Who needed to actuallytalkabout a kiss, when the guy in question was looking at her like that?
She took a deep breath. “We should get started.”
She wished Granary House wasn’t being fast-tracked.
Once it was over, she’d have no excuse to see him. And no reason to torture herself anymore either. Only she didn’t want a return to the status quo. It was the only thing she was sure about.
The house was empty when Daisy got home that evening. She poured herself a glass of wine and sat down at the kitchen table, letting her mind wander back over the day.
Even though Matt hadn’t mentioned her birthday party again, Daisy had got the impression that they were edging closer to the discussion she knew they’d have to have.
Kayley had made a point of thanking Matt again before she’d left with the two men.
“The place is super-cute, Matty,” she’d said. “The band will totally vibe with it.”
Matt had seemed glad when they’d gone, and Daisy wondered if he was starting to get cold feet about letting out his house. He was probably dreading the further disruption, and the strong possibility that he might find the press camping outside.
Now, she heard the front door open, and braced herself for Alma’s return. But it was James.
“Hey, you’re home early. I’m knackered.”
He threw his keys onto the countertop, opened the fridge and took out a can of Heineken. Tearing back the tab, he collapsed into a chair.
“How was your day? Is Alma around?”
Daisy stared at him. “No, why?”
“No reason.” He drank some more beer, and winced. “I’m going to chill for a while, I feel like shite.”
“If you’re feeling that bad, maybe don’t drink?” Daisy flicked on the kettle. “You should have a Lemsip or something.”
“Yeah, maybe.” He took his beer and wandered out of room.
Daisy heard the sitting-room door close, and a moment later the sound of the TV rumbled through the house. She sighed, wondering if she should cycle up to the local takeaway for fish and chips.
She brought the Lemsip into the sitting room, and put it on the coffee table beside his beer. James looked up. “You’re a star.”
“I was thinking of getting fish and chips.”
“I can’t eat anything.”
“Oh.” Daisy sat down. “Is your stomach okay?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.” James turned back to the TV. It seemed to be some dark, Scandinavian drama set on a remote island. He was probably planning on discussing it with Alma.
