“Depending on the weather and how long council approval takes, I’d say three or four months, give or take,” I answer.
“Well, if you’re sure?” Josh looks at Will, who beams from ear to ear. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a flatmate.” And for some reason, they both crack up.
I already feel sorry for Will’s neighbours.
Chapter Five
Josh
TheamazingworkGreerdid on the Manly real estate market, and the potential renovations I might do have helped me work out exactly what I’m prepared to pay for the house. By the time the auction comes around the following Saturday, I have a strategy ready.
Will insists on coming to the auction, and after the work she did, I can hardly not invite Greer, so we’re all standing in the dilapidated and overgrown back yard as the auction gets underway. I hope I can concentrate. Because I know she didn’t mean to do it, but Greer looks like sex on legs in a fitted t-shirt and a flirty little knee-length wrap skirt that keeps getting caught by the breeze and showing far too much of her toned and creamy thigh. And I’m not the only guy who’s noticed.
There are four other potential buyers and I keep quiet as four become three. Bidding slows and I still haven’t put up my hand. Will keeps throwing me anxious glances. I keep quiet and don’t make a move until there are only two bidders, inching the price up with agonising slowness. Finally, when things have stalled and the auctioneer is about to call, it I throw in a bid of five thousand dollars more than the last, causing gasps of surprise from the small crowd.
I want this house. At some point, it’s become a symbol of why I’m back in Sydney—to put down roots and reconnect with the people I love. To create a real home for myself, where maybe I can give a little back to Will, Ben, Harry and Stella. I choose not to think about all the things I’d like to give back to Greer. Because that isn’t happening.
The hammer comes down for the third and final time, the auctioneer shouting ‘SOLD’, and before I have time to think, Greer is launching herself at me with a shriek. My reaction is pure instinct. Crushing her against my chest, I spin us around and plant my lips on her lush mouth, oblivious to Will and the crowd around us. Our lips cling and my blood hums for endless seconds before a none-too-gentle slap on the back from Will breaks our trance.
“Put him down, Gee. Out of the way,” Will interrupts, shoving Greer aside with a look of disgust as only a brother would do. “Great work, Josh. I was beginning to wonder what you were up to. Then bam. Last minute stealth attack.”
I take a long step back from Greer as Will gives me a man hug, without taking my eyes from Greer’s face. My body is still vibrating with the energy of our kiss. I know I didn’t imagine how intense it was, and the slightly dazed look on Greer’s face confirms it. Before anyone has time to think, the real estate agent is dragging me off to sort out the details and sign the contracts. One of his staff pulls out a bottle of cheap bubbly and pours it into little paper cups, offering us all one.
As Will corners the agent to talk about organising a quick settlement, I find a moment to talk to Greer. “Listen, about what happened earlier. I’m sorry. I guess I got carried away with the excitement of bidding and winning.”
“There’s nothing to apologise for.” Her blue eyes lock on my face, and part of me wants to run a mile, while the other wants to grab and kiss her again. And again. But I can’t. I soldier on. “I should probably apologise for the airport too. Should have done it at lunch the other day.”
“What? For the flirting? Well, that’s rude. It’s bad manners to tell a girl you regret flirting with her.” There’s the flirty vibe I got at the airport again.
“It’s not that. I shouldn’t have—”
“Hit on me?”
“Well, yeah. It was … inappropriate.”
“Because I’m Will’s sister?” Greer’s expression is somewhere between exasperation and disappointment.
I don’t answer. I don’t know what to say. My gaze flicks to Will, standing a few feet away, negotiating with the agent.
“I might be Will’s sister, but I’m also an adult. What I do is none of Will’s business.”
I wince, imagining what we might have done had I not found out who she was.
“He’s my best friend.” Even I can hear the whine in my voice.
“I get that, but—”
“You get what?” Will has snuck up on us, paper cup of the terrible sparkling wine in hand.
I have to think fast because Will is not an idiot, even though he acts like one a lot of the time.
Greer beats me to it. “I was offering to help Josh with blueprints for the renovations.”
“And I was saying I couldn’t ask her to do that.” I jump in to shore up the story. And maybe to avoid spending time with her.
“I think it’s a great idea. She’s really clever, Josh. You should take her up on it.”
The problem is, what I’d be taking her up on might not be what Will is expecting. And the potential fallout scares the shit out of me.
