Page 17 of Stars Shine In Your Eyes

“I am lucky,” Malcolm agreed.

It was good to be reminded of that. Everything he had, everything he did, was because he had chosen it. Tonight, he’d made one big choice already—to change his relationship status from half a power couple to single. And then he’d made another choice—to leave central London for Elderflower Island. Both excellent choices, if he did say so himself.

Malcolm settled back into the seat and enjoyed the knowledge that he’d be in his favorite place within the hour.

CHAPTER FIVE

There was a knock on the door. Who could it possibly be?

Jose had come back to the houseboat after dinner and promptly fallen asleep. And then three hours later, she woke up. Wide awake. It was morning in Idaho. Her body was awake and raring to go. Even though she could tell that she was still exhausted, sleep was evading her. So she got out of the comfortable bed and went into the galley to brew herself a cup of tea. Thankfully, Malcolm, or maybe Mari, had stocked the fridge, so she was just looking into what she could make for a midnight snack.

She’d unpacked and opened her suitcase of books, looking for the perfect comfort read to go with her snack. While she was reviewing her books, she pulled one out, feeling instinctively it was right for Malcolm. She wasn’t certain he’d thank her for the broad hint that he worked too much, but she set the book aside anyway. Maybe she’d give it to him if the moment felt right.

And then she heard the knock.

Part of her was a little nervous, wondering who it could be. She was in a foreign country, and it was well after dark. But at the same time, Elderflower Island seemed so safe to her. And she got the sense that this houseboat community was also extremely close. Perhaps it was a neighbor looking to borrow a cup of sugar for some late-night baking…

Still, her heart was pounding. Maybe, though, that was because, as Mari had said, a knock on the door was rarely a great thing. Especially after dark. She zipped up the sweatshirt she had put on over her pajamas—a jersey tank top and jogger pants. She didn’t have a bra on, but hopefully the sweatshirt was thick enough that whoever was out there wouldn’t notice. She took her phone with her in case she needed to summon help. Then she peeked out the window beside the door.

She was surprised to find Malcolm standing there. Also relieved that he was someone she knew.

She opened the door and said, “Hi! Is everything okay?”

He was dressed in the same suit and dress shirt he’d worn earlier, though his hair and clothes looked a little sticky. Which didn’t make any sense. Then again, it didn’t really make any sense that he was here tonight either, when he had a flat in central London that he’d told her was his primary residence.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but the light was on, so I hoped you’d still be up. Everything’s fine,” he said, “apart from the fact that I can’t get into my flat because it’s flooded.”

She moved aside as things started to make sense. “Come on in. I’ve just got some hot water boiling. I can make you a cup of tea, and you can tell me more about the situation.”

“That’s great, thanks. The water company doesn’t yet know what was in the pipes that burst.”

“That sounds slightly ominous,” she said as she walked into the galley. Not having a bra on felt really conspicuous now, but what was she going to do? Excuse herself to go put one on? That would be even weirder. No, she’d just have to hope he didn’t notice. Besides, he wouldn’t care. As he’d made abundantly clear years ago, she wasn’t his type.

He shrugged. “I’m sure they’ll sort it out. I was actually on the way to my grandmother’s cottage to see about crashing in her back unit. But when I saw the light was on, I thought I would swing by to grab some clothes and another pair of shoes. I hope you don’t mind my intruding.”

“It’s your boat, so you couldn’t possibly be intruding.”

“I’ll just pick up some spare clothes, have a cup of tea, and get out of your way.”

Before she could think better of it, she suggested, “There’s a second bedroom here. Why don’t you stay?” Just the thought of sharing the space with him made her heart pound a little harder.

But he shook his head. “I wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

Again, she spoke before she could really think things through. “I am one hundred percent okay with you staying on your own boat. In fact, I insist you do.” Just because their one and only kiss was still hanging over them, and he was so ridiculously good-looking, didn’t mean she was going to kick him out of his own home.

Finally, he nodded. “Okay, I appreciate that. I’ll be gone first thing in the morning.”

“I think you should just stay until you can get back into your flat. Whenever they finish—” She used air quotes. “—cleaning it up.” She grimaced again. “Sorry, probably shouldn’t be joking about it.”

He grinned. “No, I laughed when I heard. What else can you do? Some of my neighbors weren’t too pleased, but it’s only a flat filled with things, all of which can be replaced.”

Well, that was interesting. She wouldn’t have thought that highflying Malcolm Sullivan would be so easygoing about his likely expensive apartment and expensive furniture and expensive clothes being ruined.

“What kind of tea would you like?” And then she gave him a slightly apologetic smile. “Sorry, I’m acting like it’s my kitchen. It’s your kitchen—galley—and you can pick out the tea you want.”

“I’m glad that you feel completely at home so quickly.” But he did go choose a teabag for himself.

She chose mint, hoping that the lack of caffeine would help her nod off. “I was just about to make something to eat, a midnight breakfast-in-my-time-zone meal. Do you want something?”

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