“She’s fully recovered and back home in the states,” he told her.
“I’m glad to hear it.” She rested a hand on his arm, her eyes searching his. “You’re a good friend to look after her like that.”
“I was glad I was able to help.”
“And is she just a friend?” his mother asked, finally coming around to the question that had no doubt been at the forefront of her mind since he’d gone to stay with Ruby in Paris.
“She was more than a friend, but that’s all she is now, all she can be, given the ocean between us.” He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his trousers, fighting the urge to fidget in front of her.
“Walk with me,” she said, turning toward the door that led outside, as if she’d sensed his discomfort. “You know how much your father and I have wanted to see you settle down,” she said as she pushed open the door and led the way onto the street. Exeter’s headquarters were located on bustling Coleman Street, but this side door led onto a quiet back alley where they could walk and talk more easily.
“I know,” he answered her. “I suppose I will someday.”
“We could find a different place for you in the company.” Her heels clicked on the pavement as they walked, punctuating her words.
“What?”
“So you could stay here in London. That’s what’s stopping you, isn’t it? The fact that you’re always traveling around the world?”
“It’s one thing,” he answered carefully. He’d tried out virtually every desk job there was here at headquarters. None of them had suited him then, and they wouldn’t suit him now.
She looked up at him. “This girl in Paris seems different from your previous relationships. There’s something in your voice when you talk about her. You seem to like her quite a lot, and I don’t want you to throw it away because you think you can’t settle down.”
He kept walking, lips pressed tightly together. What did he say to that? The thought of spending weeks, months,yearshere at headquarters made him want to scream. It would ruin him, and what good would he be to Ruby then? “It’s something to consider,” he said finally.
“Good, then.” She nodded briskly, as if it was a done deal. “We need you in Dubai, but I can arrange for you to stay here in London thereafter if you wish. Just say the word.”
“I’ll let you know.”
They’d circled around the block and entered the building through its flashy front doors on Coleman Street. Walking in circles. The story of his life.
16
Flynn stepped out of his car and walked toward the home site in progress. Trees had been cut to accommodate the house and a small yard, leaving most of the canopy overhead intact to preserve the look and view.
“Off to a good start, aren’t we?” Aidan walked toward him from the other side of the clearing.
“Yes,” Flynn agreed. Now that he could see the beginnings of the construction, he knew they’d made the right decisions as to the location and positioning of the house. The Wye River twinkled below, a view that just wouldn’t quit.
“Knew you were the right man for the job.” Aidan clapped him on the back. They walked together toward the edge of the property, looking out over the valley beyond.
It reminded Flynn of the lookout on the trail at Rosemont Castle, the conversation he’d had with Ruby there, all the ways his life seemed to have run off track since he’d left her behind. Standing here with Aidan, he felt the first flickering of peace since that moment. Maybe it was the outdoors, the view, the company.
Maybe it was that he wasn’t at Exeter.
“I showed the final renderings to a friend of mine,” Aidan said. “He was impressed.”
“Is that so?” Flynn kept his eyes on the valley below.
“He’s looking to build,” Aidan went on. “He invited you to submit a bid if you’re interested.”
“Hmm.” Was he interested? Was this what he wanted, to work full time as an architect and leave Exeter behind? Would that solve anything for him, or would he just travel the globe in a different capacity?
“You should do it.”
“I’ll think about it,” Flynn told him. “How soon does he want to build? Because I’m committed in Dubai for the next six months.”
“I know you are, mate, and I told him that. He’s not looking to build until next year.”
