Page 19 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

‘Why?’

‘Okay,’ Zach looks mock-confused. ‘I need to have it out with my best friend because he definitely told me all those years ago that asking about the other person on a date is considered plain good manners.’

I soften towards him some more. ‘Right. He was right. Um, so what do you do?’

‘HVAC engineer.’

‘Domestic, commercial or … okay, I’m pretty sure that while an assassin may appreciate good heating, ventilation and air-con, it’s not a nailed-on requirement?’ I ask.

‘Nice,’ he says, his grin making me feel like I imagined my awful behaviour. Like I’m not a phoney. Like I don’t dream about unattainable men because it’s safe. ‘Do you like being a cleaner, or is that a dirty question?’

‘There’s always a place for dirty in my heart,’ I flirt back and feel a sort of relaxing going on, not only in my chest but in Carlos and Oz too. I grin, and add, ‘I actually love my job.’

‘Good for you. Makes the day go quicker, right?’

I decide not to tell him that cleaning legit saved my life. ‘And you – you have a passion for um, heating, ventilation and air-con?’ Suddenly I’m feeling what everyone who’s ever asked me about cleaning might be feeling … because … how is this in any way interesting? Then again. It’s New York. Freezing in the winter, boiling in the summer.

‘I do,’ Zach says, and his tone is simple and uncomplicated, and I like that. I like the sound of simple and uncomplicated a lot.

‘You were wearing a suit in your publicity shot.’

‘Publicity shot?’

‘The photo these guys took of you,’ I explain.

‘Ah. I was on my way to the bank to get a business loan. Starting up on my own.’

‘Good for you.’

‘Thank you. It’s a really exciting time for me.’

‘You really don’t mind that I’m a cleaner?’

‘Why would I?’

‘Exactly. Why would you?’ chirps Carlos. ‘Another bottle?’

* * *

Later, as I unlock the four locks to my apartment, I’m feeling exhausted but happy.

I walk the three steps into my living area and fall onto my bed. There’s no need to unhook the curtain and pull it across so there’s a divide between my bed and the couch anymore.

I move my arm into the space between the mattress and the small of my back hoping to ease out the kinks from the long day. At least I don’t have to wear skyscraper heels all day. Don’t miss that at all, I tell myself before deliberately moving my mind along.

A second date.

With Zach.

He might turn into company on the weekends.

I sit up so that I don’t accidentally fall asleep, check my phone for tomorrow’s schedule before I set my alarm, then find a text. Janice is still out sick so I reply I’ll cover for her, and reset my alarm for an hour earlier.

I kick off my shoes and think, I have to be better at talking like a normal person now I’ve met Zach. I don’t want to mess it up before it’s even started.

But I guess I should also be realistic, right?

I mean, what if I can’t think of anything to say?

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