Page 6 of Note to Self
“Trent! Good to see you again so soon.” He beams. Yep, the Colgate ring of confidence is pinging off his perfect teeth. Nope, nope, nope. Stop it, Trent.
Introductions take place, and I accept the offer to stay for dinner.
“Can you believe Trent’s staying in your cottage, Drew?” Merrick asks.
“Really? That’s great. Has it got everything you need?”
“It has. More than I thought it would have. I’ve only been here a couple of days, but I like it.”
Merrick and Drew chuckle. Merrick explains how he had to buy some of the essentials, like the expensive coffee machine, because the one he had was packed away in storage until the house was ready. “I didn’t need two of everything, so I left them at the cottage.”
“I remember your insistence on decent coffee. Josh would happily drink instant. I’m used to staff room coffee.” I fake a shudder, and they all laugh. “I’ll be ruined by the time I have to go back.”
“What have you done with your house?” Merrick asks.
“Nothing. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I may end up going back in September.” Hopefully not, but wanting to start something new and actually doing it are two very different things. Especially when I have no clue what I want or what I’m capable of doing. I’m here to rest, clear my head, and get back to my artwork.
“You have plenty of time to work it out, and we can help as much as we can,” Merrick says.
The meal is a long, lazy affair, and I enjoy the company, but it’s getting late.
“Thanks for the meal, Merrick, but I should get home.”
“Let me grab my keys.” Merrick dries his hands on a tea towel.
“No, don’t worry. The walk will do me good.”
“I’ll take you.” Merlin looks up from where he’s playing with Willow. “I’ve got my car here.”
“Oh, okay. Thank you.” I smile. When he winks, heat rises from my neck to my face, and I duck my head quickly.
After saying goodbye and thanking Merrick for a lovely afternoon, I walk out with Merlin. “This is really kind of you. I’m not sure how far it is from here to the cottage.”
“It’s not a problem, and it gives me some time with you.”
“Me?” I squeak in a very unmanly way. He grins even more.
“Yeah, you. I’d like to get to know you, if you’re interested, that is.” The husky edge of his voice has my stomach in knots. He must know how sexy it sounds.
He drives back to the cottage, which takes less than five minutes. I haven’t been able to think of anything interesting to say to him. Guys this hot leave me tongue-tied and embarrassed. I don’t know if he’s messing with me. I don’t trust myself. He’s too much. Too handsome, too charming, too confident.
He pulls up and stops the Landrover but leaves the engine running. “What do you say?” He swivels in his seat to face me.
Against my better instincts, I stupidly nod and agree. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
Merlin leans over the centre console, his mouth close to my ear, and whispers, “See you soon, Trent.”
This must be a joke. What does he want with me? He can have anyone.
The plot of land is exactly what I need, but it’s coming at a price. Maybe a price I can’t reach. I’ve been number-crunching for three days now, trying to get the numbers to work. Exasperated, I drop my pen. I’m going to have to ask Ivan if he wants to do this with me. I lean back in my chair and close my eyes. My phone rings—my sister.
“Hey, Bridie, this is a surprise.” I chuckle, knowing she’s going to reprimand me for the nickname.
“Don’t call me that.” She laughs but then goes quiet.
“What’s wrong? Is everyone okay?” She’s never quiet. Something must have happened.
“Nothing, and yes, everyone is good. Look, I’m going to get to the point. I said I’d rent your place, and I am grateful for it, but Mike and I want to go travelling. We’ve been saving for ages, and we now have enough to last us.”
