Page 27 of Fundamentals in Flirting

“What?!”

“Only a bit of painting or helping me move stuff. I’m really struggling on my own, Hannah, and everyone else is too busy to lend a hand. You’re right here, next door, and you look fairly strong.”

“I have no upper body strength. These long, skinny arms are like two bits of cooked spaghetti.”

I waved them around a bit like Mr Tickle to prove my point.

“I’ve seen the enormous horse you ride and I don’t believe that for one minute.”

“Honestly, Ted, I’m pathetically weak.”

“Not buying it.”

He was not budging on this. Dammit.

“Well, I’m useless at DIY stuff so you definitely do not want my help.”

I was getting desperate now. I could not spend all my spare time with Teddy Fraser. No way. Absolutely not.

“You’ll learn. Anyway, it’s really just fetching and carrying stuff or holding things that I need you for. And to make me cups of tea.”

I stared at him incredulously, but he just continued to contemplate me with a confident and amused expression. There was no way I was going to be any use in his house renovations, but he kind of had me over a barrel here, and as much as it pained me to think it, I really needed him to tell my boss that I wasn’t always an angry hedgehog.

What he’d said last night came into my mind –I was just making small talk. Being nice. Perhaps you should try it?– and a brainwave began to conga through my head gaining traction as it went. What if Giles was right? What if I just needed to study techniques in being nice to people? Perhaps I could learn from Teddy’s charming personality and use it to my advantage, maybe even convince Giles that I didn’t need to go to some lame-ass interpersonal skills course? And it wouldn’t be forever, right? I could stand to be in the same room as Teddy Fraser for a little while. I could resist his ridiculous wooing or whatever it was he was doing. I could keep it platonic. I could stamp on this ridiculous crush. I could do that, couldn’t I? For the security of my own career?

“Fine, but only for a few weeks. You can’t string me out as your labourer forever.”

“Would I do that?”

“Yes. You absolutely would.” I placed my hands on my hips and gave him my best I’m-taking-no-nonsense-from-you look. “In return for utilising my questionable brawn, not only will you tell Giles how great I am at my job and what a professional, friendly service you have received from me, but you’ll also teach me how to be nice to people so that I get to keep my job, and you get to have the delightful pleasure of continuing to be my neighbour. Deal?”

Teddy smirked and cocked his head to the side. “You want me to teach you how to beniceto people? That’s your negotiation?”

“Yes. Consider this a chance to deliver a masterclass in flirting techniques.”

His smile broadened further. “Ok, let’s shake on it, then I’ll go and tell Giles what a great job you’re doing being soniceto me. We can get stuck in to your first DIY skills tutorial tomorrow.”

“Fine.”

I took his outstretched hand, resisting the urge to pull away as his long, warm fingers firmly wrapped around mine. A little ripple built up my arm as the nerve endings fired rapidly under my skin.

With a satisfied nod, and seemingly unaffected by my touch, Teddy dropped the contact. He turned to open the consulting room door, and added, “Oh, and as part of the deal, and to demonstrate howniceyou can be, I also get to use your shower until I have proper running water sorted, ok?”

The absolute bloody cheek of him had my mouth hanging open in shock, but he was already sauntering off towards the reception area and was regaling my colleagues with tales of my wonderful bedside manner, and not-at-all hedgehog-like tendencies.

ChapterNine

It was a bright Sunday morning, and I was just brushing Pluto down after an early-morning ride when my phone began to ring. Teddy’s name flashed up on the screen.

“What is it?” I answered, phone balanced between my ear and shoulder as I battled with a saddle, bridle, and grooming kit while also trying to open the stable door without dropping anything.

There was mumbling, a muffled sound, a slight squeal and a thunk, before I heard Teddy’s distant voice saying, “Shit.”

“Teddy, are you there? Did you pocket-dial me, for Christ’s sake?” Pluto was watching my struggle with interest between munching on his hay and hoping I might drop a treat or two for him, probably.

There was a load of static and then another squeaky little sound.

“Hannah, is that you?”

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