Page 96 of Never Too Late
He came to stand beside me.
‘I know. It’s a bit shit,non?’
‘It really is.’
He glanced down, his lips tipped into a smile before disappearing behind his coffee cup.
‘How long have you lived here?’
‘About five years. I bought it around two years before that but it was…’ He grimaced. ‘Ooh la la.’
‘That bad, eh?’
‘Even Gabby struggled to see the potential and you know how much she loves these old places.’
‘She always has had great taste.’
He nodded in agreement. ‘I think she was worried it was going to be a money pit.’
‘Do you have any photos of what it was like?’
‘I do. Would you like to see?’
‘Very much so.’
‘They’re upstairs on the computer in the office. Did you want a tour?’
‘I thought you’d never ask!’
We finished our coffees, placed the cups back on the counter and headed out of the kitchen. Opposite was a beautiful dining room, decorated in pale blue with white and subtle gold details. A huge, warm oak table dominated the room, easily seating twelve.
‘You like to party, party?’ I did a little wiggle to accompany my words. Sasha would have died on the spot.
His arm slid to my waist as he smiled at my antics. ‘Not especially. But I do like good food shared with good friends.’
‘And you cook?’
He shrugged. ‘Sometimes. Sometimes, they are catered.’
‘Fancy.’
He shot me an amused look before leading me up another flight of stairs to a large, comfortable sitting room, welcoming with overstuffed sofas and chairs in an array of fabrics of rich jewel tones. It was an opulent contrast to the restrained décor of the dining room below. Two stunning chandeliers hung from the ceiling, but the room was currently lit by several table lamps, the soft light they threw out catching the crystal of the spectacular lights above them.
‘Wow.’
‘Good wow, or no?’
I looked up at him and saw the hesitation in his eyes. It mattered to him.
‘Definitely good wow.’
He released a breath and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
‘Why were you so worried?’
‘Because I think this is probably my favourite room.’ His hands settled into his pockets, the confidence of earlier now less obvious, something about his stance, the expression on his face, reminding me of the first time he asked me out. I’d been surprised then at how nervous he’d been as we’d already become good friends. But when I’d said that, Tomas had told me that was exactly why he was so nervous and I understood. But now?
‘I was hoping you’d love it too.’
