Page 16 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
“Hi.” Daisy could feel a pulse beat in her neck, as she managed what she hoped was a warm, professional smile. How did you smile at your ex, anyway?
“Hey.” Matt tipped his head. “It’s so quiet out here, I heard your car from the back of the house. Come in, coffee’s nearly ready.”
He turned and walked back into the house, leaving Daisy to follow. She released a breath, not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed that he hadn’t attempted a kiss or hug at the door. But maybe he’d decided to keep things business-like between them.
She followed Matt down to the generous kitchen, where a rich smell of coffee filled the air. The sun slanted in through the windows, warming the flagstone floor and outdated units that ran along the opposite wall. In the centre of the room was a long, pine table.
“I inherited it all with the house,” Matt said cheerfully. “But I brought the coffee machine and a few other things from the States. It makes me feel like I’m on holidays, using European adaptors. So, do you still drink dairy? I have oat and soy ...”
The notions! Daisy smothered a nervous laugh. When she and Matt had been together, she could hardly remember him having any sort of milk in the fridge. But back then he’d shared a house with Brian and a couple of others, so a well-stocked kitchen had been low on the agenda.
“Dairy is fine, thanks.”
“Give me a minute.” He frothed up a jug of milk and poured her coffee into a mug.
He handed it to her and she took a careful sip. “Not bad.”
He grinned. “Don’t give up the day job just yet, so?”
They stood in the quiet warmth of the room together, drinking their coffee.
Matt placed his mug on the counter. “It’s a bit weird, isn’t it?” He looked at her. “Us, together again like this, after all these years.”
She clearly remembered their last time together, just before he’d left for New York. She’d replayed it over and over after he had told her he wasn’t coming back, wondering what she’d said or done wrong. She’d tried to recall if Matt had said anything that night, given her some sign that he wasn’t planning on coming home again.
But he was probably just making small talk. She shouldn’t read too much into it. And she wasn’t ready to delve too deeply either – not yet. Even though the question she’d been asking herself for the past five years burned her mouth like the first hot gulp of coffee.
She took a breath. “Why don’t you give me the grand tour? I’ll measure the rooms and take notes and photos. Then we can sit down and go through everything in detail.”
Matt inclined his head. “Bring your coffee and we can get started.”
Daisy was acutely aware of Matt’s closeness as she followed him around Granary House. Even though she’d seen it before – its high-ceilinged hallway and reception rooms that stretched the width of the house, the five ensuite bedrooms upstairs – being here with Matt made it feel like her first time.
He lingered in the largest bedroom at the front of the house. “I think this would be the master bedroom.”
“Right. Brilliant.” Her heartbeat picked up as her gaze tracked across the worn floorboards. She walked over towards the window, stopping as she noticed the expanse of floor that looked newer and brighter.
“I reckon the bed was there,” he said.
He met her eyes, and she nodded.
“Fair bet. We can always put it somewhere else, of course.”
He shook his head. “I like to sleep near a window.”
I remember.She stared at him, wondering if he could read her mind. Total head-wreck! What was she doing here?He’s a client, Daisy, remember? You’re here to redesign his house, not think about his bed.Although that last bit would be part of it. From a design point of view, obviously! She smiled brightly.
“Let’s see what sort of shape the bathroom is in.”
“So, what’s your honest opinion?” Matt said half an hour later, as they sat down at the kitchen table.
“Honestly?” Daisy crossed her legs, swinging her foot absently. “I think it was worth every cent you paid for it. And I agree about the guest wing – it’s in far better shape than the rest of the house.”
“Excellent.” He waited.
“So, structurally, it’s in good repair. You’ve five spacious en-suite bedrooms, which we can completely update.” She grinned at Matt’s comical expression. “Consider the floral wallpaper and matching curtains banished. The two big bedrooms would also be perfect for walk-in wardrobes.”
“Fine.”
