“Andreas. I don’t know, he seems so concerned about you. He’s always checking in, telling you where he’ll be, making sure you’re all right.”
“Is he?” Skye was careful to keep her tone neutral. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“I reckon someone might have a little crush…”
Skye gave a half smile. “I hope you don’t mean me?”
“Not you, him. What’s his story, anyway? Is he married?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“He doesn’t wear a wedding ring, does he? But then, maybe Greeks don’t.”
“They do,” Skye told her. “On their right hand.”
“Well, there you go, then. Single and ready to mingle—and you could do a lot worse,” she went on, opening her front door. “Andreas is pretty lush, and I’m not the only one who thinks so.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah,” she said, leading Skye through into the kitchen. “Haven’t you noticed Louisa having a good old gawp? That’s one smitten kitten, you ask me. You want a tea?”
She held up two boxes, one of peppermint and the other ironwort.
“Mint is great, thanks.”
Joy filled the kettle and readied two cups.
“Would you, though?” she asked, and Skye turned from where she’d been admiring a framed print of anatomical fruit. Joy had several—a lemon, a fig, and one that depicted red cherries.
“Would I what?”
“Go out with Andreas if he asked you.”
“He’s not going to do that.”
“But if he did,” she badgered, “would you?”
“The kettle’s almost boiled,” Skye said.
“So that’s a yes, then?”
“That’s not a yes.”
“But it’s not a no, either, is it?”
Skye laughed helplessly.
“Stop,” she pleaded. “Andreas is great, and yes, he’s also attractive, but I’m not interested in dating him, or anyone else for that matter. You can quote me on that.”
“I may well,” Joy said. “Ms. Mentionitus next door would be pleased to know there’s no competition coming from your side.”
“You mean Louisa?” Skye blew on the tea Joy passed across. “Isn’t she a bit young for him?”
“She’s twenty-five, and I reckon he can’t be much over forty.”
“Thirty-five.”
“There you go, then. Ten years is nothing, especially when it comes to men. Most of them would jump at the chance to hook up with a— Oh, hey, Theo.”
