‘Erm, no, of course not.’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘The question is, will my presence be a problem to him? The last thing I want is to cause any upset.’
‘I appreciate the concern,’ I said. ‘But this isn’t his flat, it’s mine.’
‘Fair enough.’
‘Besides, knowing Gideon, he’ll be more interested in the fact I’ve sourced a new income stream.’ I pictured him poring over some financial statement. ‘Accountants do like a positive cashflow.’
‘They do, indeed,’ Alex said.
‘Plus, he’s not the jealous type, even if we are going through a bit of a bad patch.’ I scrunched up my face. ‘Then again, I’m not sure if we’re going through a bad patch at all. I could just be imagining it.’ I paced up and down. ‘I suppose if I’m completely honest, I doubt he’d ever know you’re here anyway. The man’s always at work to the point we never actually see each other.’ I stood still. ‘The way things are, I may as well be single.’
I realised Alex was staring at me and remembering myself, fell silent. Mortified, my cheeks burned all over again. I couldn’t believe I’d rambled on like that. ‘I’m sorry.’ It was one thing spilling my guts about Gideon to Erin and Joyce, but do it with a relative stranger. I waved a dismissive hand and plonked myself down on the edge of the bed. ‘I don’t know why I said all that. Or where it came from.’
Alex laughed. ‘Don’t worry, I’m used to it.’
As kind as it was of him to say, I raised an eyebrow, not sure if I believed him.
‘Honestly. In a family full of women, I’m everyone’s first stop when it comes to advice on men.’ He sat down next to me. ‘Of course, I’m hoping that’ll change when my nephew grows up. It’s bad enough knowing what Mum and Avery are going through sometimes. There are things I don’t need to know about my nieces.’
I smiled, trying to hide my continued embarrassment. ‘Even so, Gideon and I are not your problem.’
‘Maybe not. But if you really want to sort things out, my suggestion would be to talk to him. Tell him exactly how you feel and what you expect him to do about it.’
‘That’s what I thought I’d been doing.’
Alex let out a quiet chuckle. ‘We men can be a bit thick when it comes to relationships.’
I suppose that explained why, regardless of how many times I’d relayed my concerns, the message hadn’t got through. ‘You’re probably right.’ Compared to Erin and Joyce’s advice, Alex’s at least sounded sensible.
‘Sometimes you have to spell things out for us.’
I took in Alex’s sincerity, wondering if he was talking from his own experience rather than someone else’s. Dismissing the idea, I doubted any woman would have to talk to him like they would to a five-year-old. Alex had shown himself to be respectful and kind. Looking into his deep brown eyes, my heart sped up and my body warmed.
Suddenly uncomfortable, I jumped to my feet. ‘So what do you think?’ I swallowed hard and using one hand to rest my elbow in, I put the other to my chest. I gestured to the room. ‘Can you see yourself staying here?’
CHAPTER11
With the flat tour over and Alex having gone on his way, I wasted no time getting online to check out bedding and curtains for his room. Sat at the till, I scrolled through my phone, determined to make the space less hostel-like. ‘Too plain.’ My jaw dropped. ‘How much?’ Trying to find a balance between style and cost was proving difficult.
‘Ooh, this is nice.’ I zoomed in on a duvet set, admiring the pinsonic design that gave it its quilted effect. Assessing the colours available, I clicked on white knowing it would fit in with whatever scheme Alex chose for the rest of his personal space. Checking the price, it was a little more than I’d hoped to pay, but unlike some, not too much over. Adding it to my virtual basket, at least my soon-to-be lodger wouldn’t think I was cheap.
I looked up from my mobile with a satisfied sigh. When Joyce had suggested I take Alex in, I’d thought it an absurd idea. But that lunchtime’s flat tour established I’d been right to change my mind and offer him a room. Alex would make a great flatmate. He was funny and charming and…
Good looking,Gran said.
‘Which has got nothing to do with anything,’ I replied.
Plus, he’s a great listener.The naughtiness in her voice was undeniable.
My stomach lurched. ‘Thanks for reminding me.’ I couldn’t believe I’d launched into a rambling woe-is-me session. When he moved in, Alex would be my tenant. Not my own personal agony uncle.
I pondered his advice, wondering if Alex had had a point. Though I thought I’d been clear with Gideon, the fact that nothing had changed between us showed I hadn’t been clear enough.
You need to tell him you deserve better,Gran said.
Swiping my phone screen, I came out of the internet and brought up Gideon’s number. I chewed the inside of my cheek as I contemplated calling him.
You’re not a toy he can just pick up and put down at whim,she said.
