Page 19 of Sassy Surrogate
He nods. “Danica it is.”
“Something to drink, Heath?”
“No, thank you. I’ve literally just finished a coffee.”
I nod. “Please, have a seat.” I indicate a chair while taking a seat on the sofa, curling my legs up under me.
Taking a seat on the edge of the chair, he contemplates me for long, silent moments. I want to squirm in discomfort, but don’t want to show how uncomfortable I am under his gaze. Finally, unable to sit still a moment longer, I jump to my feet. “I’m going to grab some coffee. Sure you don’t want anything?”
“Yep. All good, thanks.”
As I pour my fourth cup for the day, I vow to cut back on my caffeine intake. I drink way too much coffee. Snorting, I take a sip of the lifegiving nectar. Yeah, I can’t blame this jitteriness on the coffee.
Returning to my seat, I stare back since he’s still not said anything other than not wanting a drink. “So, what brings you by, Mr– Heath?”
He reaches up to fiddle with his tie. Clears his throat. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear the man is nervous. But from all I’ve seen, nerves don’t seem to be an issue for him.
“Well, like I said last night, I have a business proposition for you. From what I understand, you’re currently unemployed. There’s something I need assistance with, you require money, so I thought we could help each other out.”
I sit back in my seat and eyeball him, unsure what to make of his cryptic comment. I wait for him to continue, but he seems to be done for the moment.
“What kind of business could you possibly want to discuss with me?” Before he can answer, I hold up a hand. “Also, before I forget, where on earth did you get my phone number? I don’t remember giving it to you or Kieran.”
This time he definitely looks uncomfortable. When he clears his throat again, I come to the conclusion that it’s something he does when he’s nervous. Interesting. Not something I would have associated with a confident man like him.
“I, er– I had my head of security search for it.”
I frown, unimpressed with his answer. “Not cool, Heath.”
“You’re one hundred percent correct, it isn’t ‘cool’ of me, but I wanted to contact you.”
“You could have just asked Rebecca,” I point out snarkily.
He has the good grace to look mortified. “Again, you are correct. However, in my defence, I didn’t think of that. Please accept my humble apologies.”
Studying the expression on his face, I can see he’s sincere. I nod. “Apology accepted.”
“Thank you.”
“So, what business did you want to discuss?”
“Look, I’m going to say this up front. This is going to sound bizarre. All I ask is you hear me out with an open mind. Okay?”
My eyebrows climb as I consider his words. “That doesn’t sound dodgy at all.”
Much to my surprise, instead of being offended by my words, he laughs.
“Yeah, I’m well aware. Like I said, please just keep an open mind.”
“All right then. Let’s hear this proposal of yours.”
10
Heath
Running my hands through my hair, I nod.
“I have a question for you first.”
