I followed him in. ‘I’m sure you didn’t think this, but, just to be clear, that wasn’t me asking you out.’
‘I know,’ he said, without turning.
‘Oh. Right. OK. So why do you look like a flagpole just got shoved somewhere unpleasant?’
‘That expensive education certainly wasn’t wasted, was it? You have a way with words.’
I pulled a face that suggested I disagreed.
‘Do I make you nervous?’ I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
The flicker of a smile teased his mouth and he did his best to hide it. ‘No, Felicity, you don’t make me nervous.’
‘I didn’t think so. I get the idea that’s not a feeling you get too often.’
‘You’d be right.’
‘So why did you go rigid when I suggested dinner?’
‘Because, although both you and I know that it wouldn’t be a date, others would make up their own stories.’
‘And that bothers you? ’I asked.
‘Would it bother you?’
‘No. People write their own stories about you whatever. If they want to think that, there’s nothing you or I could do to stop them. I have to say I’m surprised that’s an issue for you, if I’m honest. We’ve already established you’re not afraid to say what’s what, so the fact that you’d be concerned about idle gossip is unexpected.’
‘I’m not concerned,’ he replied.
‘Oh… Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h.’
He didn’t care but someone else might, which meant me staying at his place was not ideal either.
He squinted down at me. ‘Whatever you’re thinking it is, I’m pretty sure I can guarantee it’s not.’
‘No, look. You’ve been amazing and I certainly don’t want to get in the way of anything for you.’
‘Felicity—’
I continued. ‘I’m sure the local pub will be fine for a few days and if needs be, I can hire a car and go a bit further.’
‘Felicity—’
Again, I carried on. ‘Even a taxi. It’s not like I need or can do much here until the surveyor’s been so I can spend that time looking online for a car?—’
‘Felicity, stop!’
The words bounced off the brick walls and I jumped, swallowing the rest of the sentence, automatically stepping backwards unsteadily where the flooring had sunk. Jesse was across the space in three long-legged strides, his hands wrapping gently around my upper arms.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you jump.’
‘I’m fine.’
But both of us could feel the tension.
I moved away, back towards the door and the lowering winter sun, Jesse’s hands falling away as I did so.
‘Felicity…’
