“They have a big, long list of things they think they can torment me with. Don’t worry about it. If it wasn’t that, it would be something else.”
My blood pressure spikes with irritation at these women. “So, they did bring it up? And don’t lie to me. You know you’re a terrible liar.”
“Yeah. Okay. They brought it up. On the positive side, they thought you were hot. Offered to give me some pointers on how I could up my game and snare you.” Greer’s husky laugh raises the hairs on my arms.
“I’m sorry, Flo. You know I would never do anything to hurt you or make you uncomfortable. At least on purpose. Don’t you?” It’s not until the words are out of my mouth that I realise I’ve used my special nickname for her.
“I know. It wasn’t your fault. Well, not entirely.”
“It kinda was. If I hadn’t come charging in like a crazed superhero, they wouldn’t be tormenting you. And I couldn’t be sorrier.”
“Ha. Like I said, they have a long list.”
“Why were you bullied at school?”
“You’ve seen me, right?”
“You were bullied because you’re beautiful?” That gets a laugh out of her.
“Because I was skinny. I don’t know if you noticed, but I was a bit of a late bloomer. And because of my hair.”
“Because it’s red? I thought Ed Sheeran and Ron Weasley had put a stop to all that.”
“If only. It’s okay to be a ginger if you’re famous. Otherwise, it’s a weapon in the wrong hands.”
I guess the boys escaped too much bullying because Will and Ben are more strawberry blond than real red, and Ethan is a dark reddish brown. Greer, on the other hand, has bright, vibrant waves that seem to glow with an internal life force.
“You know they’re jealous, right? Because, as a man, I can say with honesty, both objectively and subjectively, you—and your hair—are the most beautiful things I have ever seen.”
Fuck. Where did that come from? I need to not be saying that sort of stuff. The silence on the end of the phone tells me she heard me loud and clear. I need to get back onto solid ground.
“I know you say you’ve got this, but if you need me to play Robin to your Batman, all you have to do is send up the signal. Okay?”
“Okay. Thanks, Josh.”
“Least I can do in the circumstances. Anyway, I’ll let you get to sleep. ‘Night, Flo.”
“Goodnight, Josh.”
I hang up and hit the shower. Cold.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Greer
Thecombinationofexcitementabout the progress on Josh’s house, the support of my brothers, and the conversation with Josh last night have put me in a positive frame of mind. I arrive at work the next morning in my favourite don’t-mess-with-me suit and don’t-even-think-about-it shoes, only to find a spectacular arrangement of red and orange roses on my desk in a beautiful glass bowl. I don’t need to look at the card to know who sent them. Just as well because all it says is:
‘My favourite colours’
For someone who has said we can only ever be friends, he sure is making all the right moves to take whatever we are—or are not, according to Josh— to a whole other level.
The roses have what I assume was the intended effect. Mean One through Three all stop by at one point during the morning to make spiteful remarks. I can smell the jealousy oozing out of their tightened and minimised pores.
I snap a pic and send it to Josh with a thank you, as well as to Jessie because she’s on Team Greer all the way.
One consequence of the flowers is that Tony continues to give me a wide berth. Which is a good thing. He seems like a great guy, but there’s no hope of us ever being more than friends and colleagues. Because Josh is the one I want, and there’s no point giving anyone else the impression I’m available.
Late in the afternoon, I once again head down to Manly. This time to meet Dave’s nephew, Matt, who turns out to be as much of a hoot as Dave, and we brainstorm some great ideas. It’s not a huge yard, and Josh wants it kept simple, but when I suggest including a raised shipping-container pool with a glass panel insert I saw in a design magazine, Matt’s eyes light up. Dave says we’re like a couple of kids planning to get up to no good. By the time I leave, we have a brilliant outline plan which Matt is going to work up in more detail. I can’t wait to show Josh our vision. He’s going to freak.
