Page 23 of An Accidental Flatmate

“Did you study property stuff all day?” Bea wanted to ask if he was okay?

“Not all day. Want to share that beer?”

“Sounds good.”

“Go and get comfortable. I’ll bring it through.”

Since our café kiss, I’m reading double entendres into everything he says.

“Go and get comfortable.”

“Do I slip into something slinky?”

Only if it’s a natural fibre. She giggled.

“Do I spread myself full length on the couch and look inviting?”

“Would you prefer my hair in its current French pleat or tousled around my shoulders?”

She wasn’t sure she did tousled. She released another giggle.

“What’s so funny?” He put the beer on the table in front of the sofa and set down two glasses.

“Not funny. Fun. Thanks for this morning. And thanks for dinner. I feel much better than I did on Friday night, and a lot of that is down to you.”

“My pleasure.” He tipped his glass toward hers. “Is Smithers permanently neutralised as a threat?”

“I hope so.” But Smithers’s gaze on her had been speculative when she’d emerged from her boss’s office. He’d been heading in to see Martin when Bea left for the day.

“So, tell me more about your dreams.”

I’ve started having erotic dreams about you.

I will not say that out loud.

Madness to want you, because if even a fraction of those rumours about your wealthy heritage are true, if I tell you I need money, you’ll smash the hundred metre record making your escape.

“Branding and marketing is a smallish but diverse market in Australia.” She shared a more mundane but equally unachievable dream. “Some international companies and products just slide US or UK ads into the local scene, others want a specifically Australian ambience. But branding is broader than that. Political campaigns, promotion of ideas, managing professional and private reputations.”

“Your voice is almost lyrical talking about that stuff.” His smile was encouraging.

“Done well, it’s beautiful in its way.” She planned to be more than good.

“I’ll take your word for it. Where’s your niche?”

“I’m good at adding up the numbers, at cost-benefit analyses, at enhancing brand value. The projects I currently manage involve a mix of advertising and marketing, digital and traditional.”

“And you make sure they run smoothly, within budget and achieve their potential?”

“I hope I do that.” Sitting side by side on a sofa allowed for some interesting confessions. She couldn’t see his eyes, but there was music in his voice. The barest hint of an accent, probably because he’d learned some Arabic. “Did your mother sing lullabies to you in Arabic?”

“My jaddatee more than my mum. How’d you guess?”

“I hear it sometimes in your voice.” A mellow lilt encouraging confidences. Did he know that and use it as a weapon? Casildo wasn’t a barbarian, but his fierce defence of Hunter made him a warrior. “I spoke Chilean Spanish as a child. I still have some. My sisters say I have an accent.”

“Only with certain words and phrases.” He’d noticed too. “What else do you want to do that you aren’t currently doing?” His interest invited her to share.

“Advertising is about getting customers and sales. Marketing builds awareness of products and services. It’s branding that’s the key. Without a solid, reputable brand, your chances of longevity in business aren’t great.”

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