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Nel’s gaze softens slightly and she prods me again with the spoon, only a whole lot gentler this time. “She won’t say no.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No, I don’t,” Nel concedes. “But you do.Youknow she’s not going to say no, Finn. But she can’t say yes if you don’t give her the chance.”
Nel is right of course. She’s rarely wrong — something she gloats about every chance she can get — but I don’t even mind the smug smirk she gives me now, because an idea is forming in my mind.
It might be a terrible idea and Amber might hate it with every fibre of her being, but I don’t think she will.
“What’re you thinking?” Nel asks. “You’ve got that look on your face that says you’re about to do something very, very stupid.”
“I am,” I tell her with a shrug. “But I think it’s going to work out. And I’m going to need your help.”
* * *
We’veFaceTimed almost every night, but I’ve never felt as nervous as I do now. It rings a few times and then her face lights up my screen. Her hair is wrapped in a colourful silk scarf and it’s clear she’s ready for bed.
“Hey,” she says, and I can hear the tiredness in her voice. “Didn’t think you were going to call tonight.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. Got caught up with a few things.”
“Work?” She frowns. “You’re supposed to be having some time off.”
“Something like that.” I swallow and try to inject a casual air of indifference into my tone. “Speaking of work, I’ve got a lead for you.”
She sits up a little straighter. “A lead? Finn, you know I can’t take on any clients while I’m on gardening leave. If Cynthia finds out, she could sue.”
“You can’t take on any clients in theUK,” I tell her, and I should know. I spent several hours poring over her frankly awful employment contract with Cynthia. “She can’t stop you from taking on international clients. No court in the world would allow that.”
“You’ve got an international client for me?” she asks uncertainly. “I don’t know…”
“My sister is a realtor,” I tell her quickly so she doesn’t talk herself out of it before I’ve even begun. “And she’s got a property on the books that’s just not selling. It’s in a really beautiful location and could potentially sell for a couple million, but it needs a lot of work.”
“Not seeing where I come in here, Finn.”
“She wants to work with a designer to get it presentable,” I explain. “Nothinghugebut enough so potential buyers can see that it’s actually worth something. She mentioned it over dinner last night, and I immediately thought of you.”
“Finn, I don’t—”
“It’d be an easy job for you to add to your portfolio.”
“I know,” she groans. “But I hate working virtually — it’s so hard to get a feel of the space when you’re only seeing it through a camera. I wouldn’t want to do your sister a disservice.”
“Come to New York then.”
She doesn’t say anything, and for a second, I think she’s frozen.
“Amber?”
“I heard you, I just—” She gives me a weak smile. “I’d love nothing more than to fly out to New York right now, but I can’t afford it and—”
“Flights are paid for as part of your fee.”
“What about accommodation? I’ll need to get a hotel and—”
“Amber.” I cut her off and raise an unimpressed brow. “Obviously you’re staying with me.”
Even in the low light of her bedroom, I can see her face flush.
