Page 21 of Stars Shine In Your Eyes

She’d given him a book. When was the last time someone had given him a gift for no particular reason? It wasn’t his birthday or Christmas. She’d offered him a book she believed might help him. Was he so much of a workaholic that a woman who helped people work through their issues thought he needed her help?

He’d flipped through Walden and been struck by this line: Let us first be as simple and well as nature.

Had Malcolm been so caught up in business that he’d missed out on the finest things in life? The simplest?

Again, he thought about how much he’d enjoyed sitting out on the roof deck with Josie, enjoying the night. It didn’t get much simpler than that. Or more pleasurable.

Finally, he drifted off, waking a handful of hours later to birds chirping outside and light pouring in through the window of the houseboat’s second bedroom, which he’d never slept in before. The quality of light on the river was totally different from the light in the city. It was no wonder that so many painters had been inspired by this stretch of the river.

He stretched and then realized he could smell freshly brewed coffee. Josie is here.

The thought filled him with warmth. It was nice knowing she was close by, somehow. Usually, he couldn’t wait to be left alone in his own flat, where he could focus on his computers and his phone calls. But he felt quite the opposite this morning.

He dug through the clothes he kept on the boat and threw on a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeved T-shirt, padding out on bare feet. “Good morning.”

She wasn’t wearing her pajamas anymore, unfortunately, but she still looked great in black trousers that floated around her legs and cinched at the waist, and a white fitted top. “Good morning. I wasn’t sure if you preferred coffee or tea, but I brewed some coffee. I can make you tea, though, if you want.”

“Coffee’s better than okay. I may never let you leave.”

Her face flushed, and she ducked her head out of his line of vision as she poured them two cups. “Milk or sugar?”

“Both.”

She looked at him in surprise. “I was sure you were going to say you take it black.”

He smiled at her. “I’ve always had a weakness for sweet things.”

His flirting was clearly making her uncomfortable, based on that nervous laugh she gave and the fact that when she poured the milk, some of it sloshed over the edge. “I’m not sure who stocked the fridge, but thank you if it was you. I had granola for breakfast, but there’s plenty more and fruit in the bowl.” She babbled on, and he sort of enjoyed knowing he was the cause of her discomfort. “Mari and I are going to look at the space she’s found for the reading retreats today. She should be here soon.”

“That sounds interesting.”

They sipped, and he discovered she made a mean cup of coffee.

There was a knock on the door. “That must be Mari,” Josie said with what seemed like relief as she went to open it. Sure enough, Mari stood there looking full of energy.

“Hi, I hope I’m not too early.”

Josie smiled. “No, this is perfect timing.”

The two women hugged, obviously already friends even though Josie had only arrived yesterday.

Then Mari caught sight of him and faltered. “Oh… Malc… what are you doing here?”

He got up and gave the woman he was sure was soon to be his sister-in-law a hug. “It’s a bit of a long story, but suffice it to say I couldn’t stay in my flat last night, and Josie was kind enough to let me crash here.”

Mari’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Couldn’t you have stayed at Mathilda’s? Or in Owen’s cottage?”

He could have stayed at a number of places, including any of the top hotels in London, but something had pulled him here to the island. He hadn’t even planned to stay on the houseboat, had simply come by to get some spare clothes.

“That was the plan, but then one thing led to another, and I ended up here.”

“It was no big deal,” Josie clarified. “We shared grilled cheese sandwiches on the rooftop deck, and then we both hit the sack. It’s really handy that there are two bedrooms.” She couldn’t have been more clear about the state of their relationship unless she had said, Don’t worry, I didn’t sleep with him.

“Okay then, but aren’t you supposed to be at work, Malcolm?” Mari asked, still clearly trying to piece things together.

“I was supposed to be heading to Thailand on vacation today, but things ended with Katrina, so I won’t be going with her and her new lover.”

Mari’s eyes got big. “New lover? When did you guys break up?”

---