‘Oh. Erm, yes.’ Matt led the way towards the office. He talked as he walked, turning his head periodically to the side so Georgina could hear him over the radio, which was now blaring loudly inside the garage. ‘My father and I usually take it in turns manning the office, but he and my mum are on holiday at themoment. They spotted a last-minute deal to Lanzarote,’ Matt shrugged, offering an explanation to why he wanted help.
Matt was opening the office door and gesturing for Georgina to enter when she replied. ‘Nice. I’ve never been abroad.’
His mouth dropped open. ‘What? You’ve never been out of the UK?’
Georgina stopped in her tracks as she passed him. Until then, she hadn’t realised what a big deal it was. She was in fact the only twenty-something she knew who had never holidayed abroad. She shook her head. ‘No. I’ve never been on an aeroplane.’
‘Wow. Why’s that? Is it because you are frightened to fly?’
Georgina was squished between the doorframe and Matt’s large chest. She looked up into his big brown eyes and shook her head. ‘No.’ Her mouth opened to answer, but then she thought better of it. She barely knew Matt. She wasn’t about to spill all her intimate secrets out to him. Instead, she continued into the office.
Georgina had her back to Matt, but she sensed he’d hesitated by the door a moment longer before he closed it, still watching her. The sound of the radio instantly drowned out when the door closed. She turned to face him. His eyes looked even darker—moody even. He continued to study her. This time Georgina couldn’t hold back the blush which felt like mini volcanoes erupting under both cheeks.
She made a big deal turning her head from left to right looking for something, hoping to distract Matt from the double ruby explosion happening on her face. ‘Pen and notepad?’
Her comment seemed to pull him from his trance, and he jumped to attention, pulling open a drawer and rooting about in it until he found what he was looking for. He withdrew a pencil and a tiny post-it pad. ‘Sorry. I spilled my tea on the notepad yesterday and it was on my to-do list today to buy another. Will this do?’
Georgina laughed, thankful of the amusing moment to help cut the sizzing tension. ‘Well it’s either this or I can just text them to you.’
Matt hit the heel of his hand to his forehead. ‘Duh yes. Why didn’t I think of that? I think I’ve metamorphosised into my fifty-eight-year-old father in his absence.’
Georgina’s eyes quicky swept over all six feet two of Matt’s oily-overall covered body. ‘Jeez, I don’t think so,’ she muttered under her breath.
‘What was that?’
‘I said, I really need to go.’
‘Ah okay. Well let me give you a lift.’
‘No I don’t want to put you out. You’ve already gone out of your way to help me. I’ll call an uber.’
‘I insist. It will give me an excuse to grab something to eat. Where am I dropping you?’
‘The seafront in Seagull Bay will be fine. That way, I can also grab something to eat from Tammy’s Tearoom.’
‘Tammy’s Tearoom? Is that new? What happened to Katherine’s Cafe?’
‘It’s the same shop, only Katherine rents it out to Tammy now.’
‘Wow, it’s weird to think of anything changing in that little town. I haven’t been to the seafront in ages. I actually live on the outskirts of the bay.’
‘Ah. So that’s why I haven’t seen you around then?’
‘Yup. Always working here. The only time I get out and about is when I attend breakdowns.’ Matt reached for something on the desk and handed it to Georgina. ‘That reminds me. Here is our card. We aim to beat any quoted breakdown price by 10%. Bear us in mind when you finally get around to taking out another policy.’ Matt finished the sentence with a wink that made Georgina’s stomach somersault.
‘Come on, let’s get you back. I’ve got a lot on, but I’ll try to look at your car tonight before I finish...see if there are any parts need ordering.’
Georgina held out her hand offering her car key. ‘Thanks Matt.’
His large hand covered hers as he claimed it. Looking directly into her eyes he winked. ‘No thank you. If you hadn’t broken down outside my garage, I would have had to try and multitask for the next two weeks.’
‘So, it’s two weeks you’re holding me captive?’ Matt headed for the door as he spoke mumbling under his breath, and Georgina could have sworn he said, longer if I had my way. ‘Sorry, I didn’t catch that.’
He looked back over his shoulder with a grin. ‘I said, come. My truck is this way.’
Chapter four
Georgina lay in bed and stretched her arms above her head, pointing both her fingers and toes. The squawks of the seagulls in the distance were an indication that the bay was already a hive of activity. Some tourists would be combing through the main high street weaving in and out of shops, while others would be staking their claimed sunbathing spot on the small beach.
