CHAPTER THIRTEEN #3
“I see. I suppose there’s nothing more to discuss.
I’ll gather up my things.” As she doesn’t live in, there isn’t a lot for her to collect.
She soon walks sheepishly towards the cloakroom, and we wait in silence, exchanging eye contact until she finally comes into the hall.
By this time, Tommy is waiting with the door open.
“Goodbye then, Mrs Knox. I wish you much luck for the future. You’re going to need it.”
“That’s enough,” Tommy growls. Agatha gives him an evil glare and flares her nostrils as she walks past, but it doesn’t faze Tommy. He simply slams the door behind her. “Jesus, what a dragon.”
I sigh as I head back to the lounge and drop myself on the sofa. “Well, it looks as though Chris got his wish. I’ll call the office in the morning and tell them I’m working from home.”
“No need,” Tommy says as he sits beside me. “We can share my nanny until you find someone else. And don’t worry. I’ll cover Angina’s extra wages too. I realise I offered it without checking with you.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Yeah, you can.” He spreads his arms across the back of the sofa. “I’ll be in Braebeach for a few more weeks, so it gives you time to look for someone new and better. Come off it, Angie. She was a goat.”
I let out a giggle, but what he said wasn’t lost in the humour. He’s not planning on staying in town much longer. It’s a shame. I liked having him around today. “Thanks, Tommy. I appreciate you helping me out. You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” He smiles softly and the connection we found so easily in the car earlier, returns. We don’t move an inch and stare into each other’s eyes for a fraction longer than friends should.
I shake my head slightly as if bringing myself to. “Well, then, thank you.”
He sits up and clears his throat. “No problem. Do you need anything else?” he asks casually.
“Um, no. I don’t think so.”
“Cool.” He sits forward, and I think he might be getting ready to leave. I don’t want him to. I love his company. It’s familiar and we haven’t hung out for a long time.
“Josh will be so happy to spend time with Ozzie,” I blurt to keep him here for a few minutes longer.
“Yeah. Oz missed him. He’ll be pretty excited when I tell him he’s sharing Connie with Josh.”
That poor girl. We haven’t asked her if she’s even willing to do the job yet. “And how will Connie feel? I don’t want to put her out.”
“I can guarantee she will be cool.” He winks and my stomach somersaults. Holy crap, what was that? Perhaps I’m just lonely. Lonely and desperate, which is why I’m getting excited about the slightest bit of attention.
“Well, if it’s a problem—” I stutter, trying to regain my composure.
“Hey. It won’t be.” Now his hand is on mine, and shivers run up my arm. What is going on with me today?
He casts a glance my way and the air crackles between us. It’s an odd, warm feeling. Despite that, it still surprises me.
Tommy looks at his hand held over mine. “Hey,” he says, as he takes it away, leaving me cold without his touch. “How about Josh coming over for a sleepover soon, if it suits.”
I clear my throat. “He would love that. Thank you.”
“Cool. I’ll check with Cal first, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem.” He gets up to leave and stands in front of me, his head to the side and a killer smile on his face. “I’ve missed you, babe.” Again, our eyes catch.
My stomach somersaults again. “I missed you too.” Then I look at my hands and notice I’m twisting my wedding ring around my finger. Am I sending some kind of subliminal message to myself? Maybe he’s noticed it too.
He gives me a warm smile. “I should get going.” He turns around, about to leave, but I think of another way to keep him here for just another thirty seconds. “Oh, um, about Connie. I’ll want to pay for her time.”
He steps forward again. “You don’t have to. It’s covered.”
“You can’t keep paying for things and I—I’d like to.” He has no idea how fast my heart is beating.
“Whatever, babe. If it makes you happy.”
“Thank you.” I look down. I can’t risk being captured by his eyes again.
“No worries. Will you be okay now?”
His hand is on my arm, giving me a fuzzy feeling. Okay. This is getting ridiculous. He’s just Tommy. My friend. The person who helps me out in times of crisis. “Yeah, you know me. I always bounce back.” I smile.
“Okay, I’d better get going.” He signals with his thumb, pointing over his shoulder. “I want to see Ozzie before he goes to bed.”
“Well, thank you for helping me today.” I stand behind him as he opens the door, but I’m desperate to curl myself around his body once more. Having him around today, someone to listen and give me a hug in support has meant so much.
“It was good seeing you,” he says, almost lingering himself. Maybe he doesn’t want to leave either.
He’s about to go when he turns around again. “Oh, and I’ll get Connie to work out the logistics of working between two houses.”
“Okay and thank you.”
“You take care, and…see you soon, I guess.”
Why are we so awkward? Today was easy with him and now it’s not. This isn’t us. “Yeah. See you soon.”
I close the door, rest my back against it, and slide down to sit on the floor.
What was that? Something between us has shifted in some way. I’ve just got to figure out what the hell it is.