Page 10 of Return to Cheshire Bay
“I’msorryI treated youunfairly.” I scrapped a fingernail under the wrapping on my waterbottle.
“Youwere never mean or anything. At least not to me orLondon.”
A smidgen, avery small sprinkle of it, settled over me.
Ericpatted myarm. “Don’tworry about it. Like you said, people change and we’re adultsnow.”
“Yes, weare.Complete with adultresponsibilities and all the stuff our parents warned us about.”That made him giggle, and I was happy to hear it. It meant theevening wasn’t a total bust. “Tell me about your job. Being a pilotmust be so interesting.”
Thegrandest smile stretched from ear to ear.“There was a fundraiser going on a few years back,and they had a win a flight around the island. I entered and won. Iwas so excited, I talked non-stop, and the pilot suggested I lookinto lessons, and one thing led to another. So… I worked my buttoff on the docks to save up money for flight school. Besides, it’sa better way to travel.” A peaceful glow filled his face. “Up inthe sky, that’s my happy place.”
“That’s awesome.It really is. Good for you doing what you love.”
“What aboutyou?”
“I’mstill working on figuring that part out.”I had loved my job as a Regional Manager of anational fast food company, but not so much Parker, as deep down, Iknew he wasn’t the one. I was better off without him, even if I hadextra responsibilities because of it.
“Let me knowif I can help.”
He satthere in silence for afew heartbeats while my phone continued its incessantvibrations. Didn’t Parker have anything better to do? Leave amessage for crying out loud.
“I’mgoing tograb another beer. Want anything else to drink?”
“I’mgood.” I rose, picked up our plates, and helped clean the kitchen. “Thanks fordinner. I really appreciated it.”
It wasnice to have someone else decide what to eat, and I didn’t have to try and figure outwhat to create that didn’t come out of a cooler while I waited fora new fridge to arrive. Sandwiches were starting to bore me as Icouldn’t make them as well as the deli around the corner from myapartment did. Damn, they were tasty, and I could eat a mean BLTright about now.
“Anytime. It’snice to have someone to eat with.”
“Iagree.” I caught a shysmile forming on his lips, but it disappeared before I couldcapture it to memory.
Ericwalkedme to the doorand tipped his head toward the pile of wood stacked by theentrance. “What’s with the plywood sheets?”
“I needto refloor the upstairsdeck.”
“I neverpegged you for a handyman, or handywoman.”
I placedmy hand on my hipandpouted the cutest way I knew how. “It can’t be that hard. Pull upthe old boards, nail in the new ones. Stain. Lay out a carpet andvoila.”
Helaughed. “Okay, BobVilla. That sounds about right.” There was somethingcharming about the way he said it. “Call me if you need an extraset of hands.”
“I’llhold youto it, even ifjust to laugh as I make an ass out of myself.”
“Sounds like aplan.”
And aplan with Ericand hiseasy going way was something I could get behind.
Chapter Five
Bethtexted me a picture of alovely panoramic for the living room that Ijust had tohave, and I lifted myphone above the bookcase I was currently painting in the light ofday. She had a gift, as from the tiny image, it appeared to matchperfectly with the colour schemes. I approved her choice andwithout much else said, she mentioned it would be sent ASAP. Shewas also going to bring out some other staging materials and prepfor a quick photo op, but only stay for one night.
I rolledmy eyes since she hadn’t given me a date at all,but at least it would be a visit. I missedmy friend.
I went back topainting the top inside of the bookcase when a knock sounded on mydoor.
“Justasecond,” I holleredback, hopped down off the stepladder, and turned down the music.“Yes?”
Astrange manfrom thehardware store stood at my door. “Lily Davies?” He read my name offthe clipboard and ran his gaze up and down my body. After I stoppedvisiting Cheshire Bay, I changed my name to my mother’s maidenname.