Page 24 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
I lifted my palms. ‘All estate agents embellish a bit when it comes to describing properties, don’t they? Like saying a place has a sea view, even when it’s over forty miles from the coast, and you have to look through a tiny gap between tower blocks using a telescope to see it. I just meant … that.’
‘Right.’
I did my best to ignore the way the corners of his rather delicious mouth were twitching up at the corners.
‘Anyway. All I’m saying is don’t worry about it. The place is in such a great location, and once I’ve faffed about a bit with it, it’ll look much more appealing to a buyer. You are a doctor—’ I made sure to leave out the ‘hot’ bit this time ‘—so it’s not like it’s just some surfer dude hanging about over there.’ This time we both smiled.
‘Assuming they do actually believe I’m a doctor.’
‘There is that.’
‘I can get you copies of my qualifications for the estate agent to hand out with the details if you like.’
‘That’d be super helpful actually, thanks.’ I grinned as I made to put one foot on the stepladder.
Gabe moved in front of me, blocking me. In fact, because of his size I could no longer even see the ladder. ‘Where do you think you’re going?’
‘Pardon?’
‘You heard me.’
‘As I’m about to stand on the stepladder, I think that should be obvious. You know, I still have my doubts about you. Doctors are supposed to be pretty bright.’
‘You’re not going up there again.’
The smile faded on my face. ‘I’m pretty sure I’m going to do exactly as I please, actually. And it pleases me to get back up to finish what I was doing.’
‘If what you were doing was trying to break your neck, then be my guest.’ He took a tiny step to the side, but not enough for me to get to the steps.
‘Don’t be so dramatic.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. Was that not you sprawled out on the floor earlier having taken the short way down?’
I rolled my eyes. ‘I had a small accident. It happens all the time to people!’
‘Yes. It does. And I end up having to patch some of them up.’
‘Fine!’ I threw up my hands. ‘Where do I sign to show you that I shan’t require your services should I have another fall from grace?’
‘I didn’t mean it like that, Holly. Look, just let me help you.’
‘I don’t need any help. I just need my stepladder back!’ I tried to reach around but there was a lot less of me both in height and width and I wasn’t having much success.
‘It’s not tall enough for what you’re using it for. That’s half the reason there are so many injuries when it comes to DIY. People don’t use the right tools.’
‘It’s the only one I could find and I wanted to get started.’
He looked at me like he’d heard that excuse a lot. And I guessed he probably had.
‘I thought Gigi had some taller, wooden steps but I couldn’t find them.’
‘That’s because they’re at my place.’
‘Right. So, it’s actually your fault I fell off in the first place then.’
He shrugged.
‘May I please have them back?’
