Grabbing the plans, I got out of the car. Taking a deep breath, I started walking back towards the house. Maybe I could leave them with Kate, say I was in a rush to get to work and could she pass them onto Morgan for me.
I knocked on the door with my heart thundering in my chest. What if he had already told them what had happened? Embarrassment coursed through me but was quickly forgotten when Nolan opened the door full of smiles.
“Are those the plans for Morgan?” Nolan reached out to take them from me.
“Yeah, I nearly drove off, but luckily, I saw them on the seat before I did. Could you give them to him?”
“Uh, would you mind taking them up to him in his room? Kate has just gone up to run her bath and the footie is nearly over.” Nolan looked longingly back to the living room before returning his gaze to me.
“Of course, as long as you don’t mind?” The last place I wanted to be now was in Morgan’s bedroom alone with him, but I knew how hard Nolan worked and this was his few hours off.
“Brilliant, thank you. Up the stairs, first door on the right.” Nolan flashed me a grateful smile and disappeared back into the living room.
I took another deep breath, and I began walking up the stairs.Just knock the door, give him the plans, and leave,I told myself. I walked as slowly as I possibly could, my thoughts wandering to the last few months of late nights and takeaways as we worked on the project.
Morgan had been so sweet and kind to me, walking me home when I had too much to drink, always topping up my drinks and checking on me. Come to think of it, I had felt something when our hands or legs had brushed against each other’s, but I had never delved into the feelings because of who he was.
On the landing, Kate was walking out of her room. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just forgot the plans for Morgan.” I held them up and forced a smile.
“Ah, he’s in there.” She pointed to the door immediately to my right. I nodded, but when I didn’t move, she asked me again. “Are you sure you’re alright?” Her eyes searched my face.
“Uh, this is a little awkward…” I looked everywhere but at her.
“Follow me,” she said, leading me back the way she had just come.
We entered her bedroom, and I looked around. Everything was built in, the wardrobes were fitted over the bed, and a full entertainment unit was nestled in the opposite wall. The whole bedroom was white, gold, and magnificent.
“Wow, this is beautiful. Remind me after our current project is done for you to have a look at my bedroom.” I turned in a circle taking it all in.
“Thank you. I like it, but Nolan isn’t keen on all the white and gold. He says it makes him feel like he’s gone to heaven.” She laughed. “Now, what’s wrong? I can see something’s eating at you?”
She smiled warmly, sat on the bed, and pointed to the chair opposite for me to sit in. I obliged, taking my time to get there whilst trying to figure out what to say.
“Well, this is awkward, but Morgan just…” I paused. `could the world implode now, please? A hole to open and swallow me whole? Was that too much to ask?
“He’s finally asked you out, then?” She grinned at me.
“So, you do know about it?” I felt the blush creeping up my neck and burning my cheeks.
“Yeah, he told me a few weeks back that he wanted to ask you. I actually think you two would be good for each other. I’veseen the way he looks at you. I think Nolan and I knew how he felt about you before he did. We used to laugh that neither of you could see it.” She chuckled.
“Oh.” I took a moment to process what she’d said. “What about the age difference? Doesn’t it bother you, your son dating an older woman?”
Kate laughed again. “It’s five years—that’s nothing. You’re talking like you’re a cougar! You’re only thirty; he’s an adult with a child of his own.”
“Okay, well, won’t it be weird?” I wanted this conversation to be over, but my mouth would not quit. I fidgeted on the chair, unable to stay still.
“Maybe it will be for a bit, but I can’t think of a better person for him. You may not be able to see it, but you two are perfect for each other. Now, I’m going to have a bath, you go see him.” Kate got up, leaving no more room for conversation.
“Why the fuck am I nervous?” I chewed on the inside of my cheek.
Kate belly laughed at me. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you nervous. Go!” She scooted me towards the door.
“That’s because not many things unnerve me.” I took another long breath.
“Fuck me, it’s only Morgan. He’s the same guy he was an hour ago. Don’t be a wuss.” She pushed me right up to the door, then knocked before running into the bathroom. I heard her laughing from behind the bathroom door.
