“Well, I’m about to betray his trust for the second time by getting the rangers over. It’s for the best, though; they can give him the medical care he needs, and they’ll release him when he’s better.” Marcy swallowed hard as her eyes lowered to Zoe’s lips. “Are you sure you’re not going to get in trouble at work?”
“No, they’re all very capable. If anything went wrong, they would have contacted me by now.” Zoe glanced at the house over her shoulder. “It’s very different from your caravan. Are you ready for minimalist living?”
“Honestly, I can’t wait to live without clutter. There’s a sense of space and a place for everything and that feels very freeing,” Marcy said.
“I understand. Since I started moving around, I’ve lived by the principle of a hundred things. It saves me from spending weeks on packing and I never buy anything I don’t need.”
“I’ve heard of that. Isn’t that a Japanese principle?” Marcy asked.
“Yes. It’s about creating harmony and system and appreciating negative space. Most people have an urge to fill up space; they find beauty in decorating. I only own things that perform a function, and a lot of those things are multifunctional.”
“You mean you only have a hundred things? Isn’t that close to impossible? What about toiletries and all those bandanas?”
“Well, I never said I’d perfected the lifestyle. Currently, I have a hundred and sixty-five items,” Zoe said. “The clothes and bandanas are my downfall. Oh, and knives; I do love a good knife. For cooking, not stabbing,” she added with a chuckle. “And those hundred things don’t include food, of course. But it does include toiletries, accessories, socks and underwear, cutlery and anything you’d use in your day-to-day life. Are you familiar with the term Danshari?”
Marcy shook her head. “Is that some kind of organising system?”
“It’s about getting rid of eighty percent of your stuff and loving what’s left. You appreciate things you use on a regular basis; all the rest is just in the way. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate my parents’ home that’s stuffed to the brim with trinkets but it’s just not how I like to live. I love your new home; you’ve respected that amazing space and you’ve let the cave speak for itself.”
“Thank you, it’s what I was aiming for and I’m glad you can see that.” Marcy said. “My shed is actually pretty full, but no one needs to know that.” Her core tightened, and she was unable to tear her eyes away from Zoe’s mouth. “How are you with bookings? Is the hotel doing well?”
Zoe’s smile widened as if she was on to her, but she didn’t comment on Marcy’s hungry stare. “Yes, it’s going really well, and we’ve started off with fantastic ratings. We’re on ninety-five percent occupancy which is great for this time of year, and the restaurant has been busy. Apart from the hotel guests, we’ve had lots of local diners too, so that’s a good sign.”
“Good for you,” Marcy said. “You deserve every bit of credit for that.”
“It’s not just me. I hired talented chefs.” Zoe paused and sipped her beer. “So, what’s next for you?”
“You mean workwise?” Marcy shrugged. “I have a couple of projects lined up. One in Sitges—with Lisa again—and one in Benidorm. Sitges is a bit too far away for my liking, but I won’t have to be on site every day. My father is close friends with Lisa’s boss, so we tend to get their contracts.”
“Nice. I really like Lisa. I’ve only met her girlfriend once, but she seems lovely too.”
“Yes, they’ve become good friends.” Marcy suddenly burst out in laughter as a thought hit her. “Lisa would fall over backwards if she knew we were sitting here together, drinking a beer and having an insult-free conversation.”
“Watching the sun go down after saving a kitty from starvation,” Zoe added with a chuckle. “Did you tell her we had drinks the other night?”
Marcy shook her head. “No. I’d feel a little foolish if I did, after arguing with you all that time.”
“Same here.” Zoe shot her a grin. “Well, as far as I’m concerned, no one needs to know we don’t actually hate each other.”
“Oh, you don’t hate me?” Marcy joked. Only weeks ago, it would have been a genuine question but now, she knew Zoe liked her company, and she felt the same.
“No. I like you.”
“Good. Because I like you too.” Hesitating for long moments, Marcy decided to ask the question that had been on her mind for a while. “The other night when we messaged each other and flirted...”
“Was that what we were doing? Flirting?”
“I was,” Marcy admitted. “And don’t tell me you weren’t. You said you thought I was cute.” She shot Zoe a teasing look. “Or was that just the alcohol talking?”
“I was wondering when you’d bring that up.” Zoe’s cheeks flushed, and she looked adorable in her flustered state. “You said the same about me. Wasthatthe alcohol talking too?” she shot back, answering the question with a question.
Marcy hadn’t expected Zoe to turn the tables on her, and she laughed when her phone rang, saving her from having to answer. “It’s the ranger; he’s early.” She stood and shielded her eyes from the sun, looking out for his van in the distance. “I’m afraid we’ll have to finish this conversation another time.”
30
Waves were rustling along the shore and the warm, soft wind caressed Zoe’s skin as she walked down to the beach, holding Marcy’s hand. Her heart was racing, her legs felt weak, and she wasn’t sure if the fluttering sensation in her stomach was caused by nerves or the intense arousal she felt. They took off their flip-flops to continue barefoot and she was hyperaware of the way she walked, the fine sand between her toes, her erratic breathing and her long, skinny limbs that felt like spaghetti flailing around her body.
It’s just a walk, she told herself, secretly hoping it would develop into more than just that.
