“We like Susan,” Josie said.
“So you’ve said.” Tyler’s tart reply echoed in the lounge. He sucked in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. That was rude.” He plucked his small notebook and pencil from his pocket and started drawing. Instantly, his nerves flowed out of him and a picture of Susan appeared on the page. “I like her too. Very much.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Josie demanded. “You can’t sit back and let Nolan steal her from under your nose.”
“I’m taking her out on Friday night. I called in the date I won.”
“Good plan.” Eric nodded with approval. “Where are you taking her?”
“I haven’t got that far yet. I rang Nolan and asked him if I could take Susan out,” Tyler said.
Josie and Eric gaped at him.
“You look like a pair of fish,” Tyler said.
“What did Nolan say?” Eric asked.
“Nothing. What could he say? I won the date fair and square.”
“Take the entire day,” Josie suggested. “Pick her up in the morning and go to Napier. Show her the art deco buildings and go to a vineyard for lunch. Go for a walk on the beach after your meal.”
“Stay the night somewhere in Napier,” Eric said. “Make it a real event.”
Tyler felt his mouth drop open.
“What?” Eric said. “You like the girl. You’re sleeping with her, aren’t you?”
Josie let out a girlish giggle and winked at her husband. “Good plan. We’ll babysit.”
Tyler let their teasing wash over him this time. They weren’t going to leave it alone. “I’m not sure Suzy will agree to staying out for the entire night.”
“Ask her,” Eric said. “She can only say no.”
“Shush, Nolan’s segment has started,” Josie said.
“Life is never boring with Nolan’s women,” Hailee said. “We never know what to expect and this week was no exception. At the end of the show, we’re going to place a special poll on the website to learn about popular opinion on a certain subject, so make sure you visit and have your say.”
“That sounds intriguing,” Josie said.
The show cut to an interview with Nolan. His big brother appeared at ease in front of the camera, his mouth quirked into a tiny smile.
“What is your ideal woman like?” the cameraman asked.
“I want someone who loves the land and the countryside as much as I do,” Nolan said. “I can’t imagine not living here in Clare.”
“And what about physical characteristics?”
“Someone who looks after themselves. They don’t have to be ultra skinny, but someone who is fit. A woman who is adaptable and possesses a sense of humor.”
“You’re determined to give a PC answer,” the cameraman said. “All right. What color hair do you prefer?”
“Dark,” Nolan said.
“Height?”
“A few inches shorter than me. I don’t like to get a sore neck.”
Tyler’s pencil skidded to a halt on the page.
