“I’m sure he’ll get used to it.”
“He doesn’t have a choice. Hey, have you spoken to Christa lately?” she asked.
I kept my eyes on Ava. “Yeah, a couple of nights ago.”
“She’s not happy, is she?”
I turned to her, my resolve not to gossip instantly dissolving. “I’m so worried about her, Maddy. She’s not happy with the size of the wedding at all and now she’s just viewing the whole thing as something she has to get through. That’s not how it should be.”
Maddy sighed. “No, you’re right. It’s not.”
“But I don’t really know what we can do. It’s her wedding and it’s up to her to stand up for what she wants.”
“Yes, it is, but my mother doesn’t make it easy.”
“Your mother’s lovely,” I replied carefully.
“That’s the problem. She’s lovely, well-meaning and completely determined. If she was horrible and a nightmare mother-in-law to be, Christa would be less worried about offending her. My mum practically became Christa’s substitute mother after her parents’ divorce.”
I smiled as Ava waved her hands around, but my heart felt heavy for my friend. “I guess Christa doesn’t want to risk upsetting her.”
“Exactly. Christa isn’t close to her own mother, and they’ve formed a really strong bond.”
“And she doesn’t want to risk damaging that bond. Oh, poor Christa!”
“It’s OK. Let me talk to Christa. If she wants me to have a word with Mum, I’m happy to do it. No risk of offending my mum when I’m actually her daughter. We offend each other all the time.”
I laughed. “Well, when you put it that way … Families, huh?”
“Dave’s family is sounding more and more interesting from what you told me,” Maddy said, which was her way of telling me to spill.
I’d briefly mentioned my weird meeting with Lauren when I texted to invite her over today, but now I gave her the full story. When I was finished, Maddy sat thoughtfully for a minute.
“So let me get this straight. Lauren, his sister, thought he was going to ask you out and instead he asks you to be his financial planner?”
“Yes,” I said with a groan. “Apparently Dave hasn’t had a relationship in years. Lauren says he’s been working really hard on the business and just hasn’t been interested in anyone.”
“Until now.”
I huffed. “Well, he’s obviously not interested enough because he asked me to be his financial planner!”
Maddy gave me a gentle smile. “You like him, don’t you?”
“I—” I closed my mouth. I didn’t want to say it. It would make it too real.
“The truth, Cate.”
“Fine! I would love to get to know him better, but how can I? He’s my client.”
“And now you’ve got a date with James tonight?”
“Yes.” How could I forget? He’d called me briefly earlier in the week to arrange it. I was incredibly nervous and was trying not to think about it. I wasn’t sure if the nervousness was because he was ‘List Man’ as Scarlett had so eloquently put it. Or worse, maybe I was nervous because if I didn’t feel a spark with James, maybe that meant my feelings for Dave were more than a passing infatuation. “God. It’s easier being single, do you know that?”
“Don’t give up just yet, Cate. James seems like a really nice guy.”
“But what about Dave?”
“There’s not much you can do about that right now, if you ask me. You don’t want to risk your professional reputation unless it becomes blatantly obvious that he’s prepared to go there.”
I knew she was speaking from experience. Paul, Maddy’s husband, had originally been her business mentor and I recalled many a tortured conversation debating about what she should do about her feelings for him. It had turned out happily in the end for them though. I didn’t know whether to be buoyed by that fact or tormented because it left things with Dave open.
“Go on the date with James, Cate. Enjoy yourself.”
I sighed. “I’ll try.”
*
I was actually enjoying myself.
James was charming. Alright, so his English accent was part of the charm but it was more than that. He was an easy conversationalist and a very open man. In the two hours over dinner I’d learned about his childhood growing up in the north of London, his university days and all about his career in IT. He’d even talked about his past relationships. He’d been with a woman for eight years and explained how they’d grown apart. How it had been the natural choice to accept Max’s job offer in Australia after six months of being a single man again.
Usually I was concerned about being too transparent, or talking too much, but James was easy company. He matched my conversational skills with ease. I didn’t feel shy either. Just comfortable in his presence.
“Cate, I’ve got to say, you’re a breath of fresh air.”
I felt myself flush. I was glad we were outside enjoying a walk after dinner and there was cooling breeze. “I bet you say that to all the Aussie girls.”
He laughed. It was a soft, warm sound and I felt something shift in me.
“You’re the only Aussie girl I’ve said it to so far.”
“So far?” I teased.
“Cate.” He stopped walking and took my hands. “Can I see you again?” His light blue eyes were earnest.
“I’d like that,” I said, meaning it.
*
Oh my goodness. What on earth was I doing?
I did my best to ignore my doubts and continued walking down the leafy, suburban street. My high heels clicked briskly on the concrete pavement. At least they sounded like they meant business.
I checked my phone again. The address was supposed to be number thirty-six. During the ten minute walk from the train station I’d been trying – unsuccessfully – to reconcile the affluent, upper middle class surroundings with what I knew of Dave Worthington. This picturesque suburb on the North Shore of Sydney did not fit with my hot plumber, bad boy impression of Dave. This was a place where well-off families settled down, raised children and lived well into their retirement.
The laptop bag slung over my shoulder was starting to hurt. I swapped it to the other side but it felt awkward, or maybe that was just my state of mind?
I suppressed a groan. Why couldn’t I admit this was just a really bad idea and turn around and go home?
Because I’d promised Dave. True, I could have sent him the completed financial plan via email, but I needed to return a pile of original documents that I’d made copies of. I’d missed the courier so here I was.
Had I really missed the courier? Or had I deliberately occupied myself with other work until it was too late for the courier to pick them up?
I wasn’t completely deluded. I knew my curiosity had gotten the better of me. Since my first couple of dates with James, Dave had been on my mind. And how wrong did that sound? I genuinely liked James, I really did. He ticked a lot of boxes, as my friends had so helpfully reminded me, but …
I was distracted from my tortured self-analysis when I arrived in front of Dave’s house.
“Oh,” I breathed.
His house was beautiful. A double-level brick and timber home painted white with dusky blue window frames and awnings. A manicured garden with flowering shrubs invited guests to walk down the pleasantly winding footpath to the matching blue front door.
Entranced, I accepted the house’s invitation and wove my way through what had to be a professionally landscaped garden.
“Cate?”
I stopped and turned toward Dave’s familiar deep voice.
“Dave! Hi.” I quickly grabbed for the folder in my bag, which became an embarrassing sort of fumble, and presented it to him. “I was just dropping these off.”
“I thought you were going to get it sent over?”
“I was, but I missed the courier so I thought I’d just drop by and leave them for you.”
I watched as
Dave navigated his way through the garden to come and stand in front of me. Up close, he was disheveled. He had a day or two’s growth, the t-shirt he wore was stretched and marked with grease, and his faded jeans had rips all over them. It made no logical sense that he looked good to me, but he looked better than good. My eyes lingered on a few of the rips in his jeans. I could just make out the skin underneath …
I caught myself and thrust the folder toward him.
He ignored the folder and studied me. “It could have waited until Monday.”
“I told you I’d have it to you by the end of the week.” I suddenly felt stupid standing in the middle of his front garden in my business suit and heels, holding the folder full of paperwork which he was yet to take.
To my relief, he reached out and accepted it.
“Well, I’m sure you have better things to do on a Friday night, so thank you.” He nodded at my bag and clothes. “Did you walk from the station?”
I gave him what I hoped was a genuine smile. “It’s a nice evening.”
He blinked and seemed to look around for the first time. The sky appeared endless and a few stars were just starting to twinkle against the fading dusk.
“Yeah, you’re right. Maybe I should get a skylight in the garage,” he mused. “Seeing as you’ve come all this way, why don’t you come in and have a drink?”
I waved a hand at him. “It’s not that far,” I protested.
‘All this way’ was seven stations on from where I’d normally get off, and it had only taken half an hour. OK, so an hour round trip, probably more. The look Dave was giving me suggested he knew just how far it was.
“Come and have a drink before you head home,” he repeated.
I didn’t need anymore convincing, so I agreed and followed him. Just call me ‘Curious Cate,’ I thought to myself wryly. Now I was here my curiosity should have been satisfied, but it had only intensified. Since laying eyes on the place, I was itching to see inside his home.
To my disappointment, instead of leading me to the front door, he led me to the driveway around the side of the house. My heels skidded on the pavement when his garage came into view. A four car garage. Whoa. I forced myself to keep walking.
The garage took up a large part of the backyard, but I noticed there was still room for a deck and swimming pool on the other side. Also beautifully landscaped. Dave led me to the open garage door closest to the house. Without waiting for me, he disappeared inside and I increased my pace so I wasn’t left behind.
I faltered just inside the door, blinded momentarily by the bright fluorescent lighting. I thought I heard several male voices talking but couldn’t be sure because my eyes were still adjusting and the noise had stopped. The radio maybe?
“What would you like?” I heard Dave call out from what appeared to be a back room that he’d vanished into. “I’ve got beer, more beer, or water.”
“Water will be fine,” I called back, while I continued to get my bearings.
“Come on, Wortho. Don’t you have any wine for the lady?”
I stiffened. Oh God. I had heard male voices. Three of them, in fact. For the first time I registered the men situated at the back of the garage near Dave’s black ute. Two of them stood propped against an impressive workbench, and the other was sitting on an old milk crate.
I smiled hesitantly. “Hi.” Clearly I was interrupting Friday evening drinks and coming here had been a very, very bad idea.
“Jesus, Wortho,” said the one sitting on the crate. “Get your ass out here and introduce us to the pretty lady.”
The other two chuckled and drank their beers while rather obviously looking me up and down.
I felt a deep flush work its way from my neck to my face but I didn’t look away. I shifted the bag on my shoulder and stared right back at them.
They appeared even scruffier than Dave if that was possible. They were all wearing scuffed black and brown work boots and I wondered if these were some of the guys who worked for Dave.
Ignoring my heart beating rapidly in my chest, I took a deep breath and marched over to them. “I’m Cate. Dave’s financial planner.” I stuck out my hand.
The one sitting on the crate jumped up and grabbed my hand. His mates sniggered but I saw them both put their beers down on the bench.
“Hi, Cate. I’m Ian, but my mates call me ‘Bear’.”
We shook hands and I tried not to frown as I digested his nickname. He was shorter than me with blue eyes and dark curly hair. He didn’t look particularly scary like a bear, nor did he look soft and cuddly like one either.
Dave arrived by my side and handed me a drink. “It’s because he’s a bear with a sore head,” he explained to me.
Bear grinned shyly, let go of my hand and shoved a few stray curls away from his eyes. “Only in the mornings though. I’m a nice guy the rest of the time.”
One of his mates snorted.
Dave pointed at them. “These two are Wally and Bones.”
I tried not to smile but failed. “More nicknames? And dare I ask?”
The one called Wally reached over and shook my hand. He was taller than me, with messy brown hair and brown eyes that were particularly mischievous. “How do you know Wally isn’t my real name?”
I met Dave’s eyes. He shrugged, a small smile curling the edges of his mouth. “Also known as ‘Where’s Wally?’ since he’s got an uncanny habit of disappearing when you need him. And ‘Bones’ is because he’s all skin and bones.”
Bones looked offended. “Hey, I’ve put on some weight lately. I can’t believe you didn’t notice.”
I reached over and politely shook Bones’ hand while his mates laughed.
Wally reached over and slapped him on the back. “Sorry, Bony boy. You might need to put on a few more kilos before you lose the nickname.”
After our laughter subsided an awkward silence settled over us.
Determined to fill the quiet I turned back to Dave. “So, Dave? What’s your nickname then?”
I thought I saw him smile as he brought the beer to his lips, but I couldn’t be sure. He shrugged.
“He’s Wortho most of the time,” Bear told me. “Seeing as he’s the boss guy we can’t get too nasty.”
I nodded. So they did work for him. It was an interesting reflection on his management style that his staff felt comfortable sharing after work drinks on a Friday.
I took a long sip of my water and then addressed Dave. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had company. I didn’t even think you would be home. I was just going to drop the papers off. I should leave you to it.” I finished the water and placed the glass on the bench.
“Aw, Cate, don’t leave us now, sweetheart.” Bear was attempting to look wounded. “You’re the closest thing Wortho gets to having a woman around the house. Why don’t you stick around for some food? We were just going to throw some meat on the barbie.”
Dave raised his eyebrows at Bear. A clear signal to back off.
I shook my head and took a step back. “No, really, it’s fine. I’m interrupting. Have a good night.”
Bear looked genuinely disappointed while Wally and Bones nodded at me.
Dave followed me to the open garage door.
“You’ve got a boyfriend, don’t you?” Bear called out.
A muscle in Dave’s jaw twitched. “Ignore them. It takes all my strength to keep them in line at work. They tend to go a bit wild on the weekend.”
“They seem harmless enough.”
Dave raised his eyebrows again, and I laughed. “Mostly. Enjoy your weekend. Give me a call sometime next week when you’ve had a chance to go through the plan and let me know what you think.”
Dave nodded, then was forced to move to one side as the other three men walked past us.
“We’re just going to get the food started,” Wally said.
We watched as they made their way to the deck at the back of the house. Wally and Bones disappeared inside, but when Bear reached the back door he tur
ned.
“Are you sure you won’t stay for dinner? Pretty please?”
Dave rolled his eyes and gestured for him to go inside. I put a hand over my mouth to cover a smile.
He turned back to me. “You’re welcome to stay,” he said. “If you want. You must be hungry.”
I paused, my hand still covering my mouth. His offer surprised me.
Dave’s eyes focused on my fingers, which were now at my lips. I suddenly felt nervous and resisted the urge to bite my nails. I dropped my hand and he stepped back.
“Then again,” he said. “I’m not even sure I want to spend the night with those three. Why would you?”
As I laughed, we heard the back door open again.
“Get him to show you his cars while you think about dinner!” Bear yelled.
Dave sighed. “See?”
“Actually,” I said, before I could think the better of it, “I’d love to see your cars.”
Chapter 16
There weren’t enough superlatives to adequately describe Dave’s collection of cars.
When I’d first arrived in the garage, I’d only seen half of it. I’d seen his ute – the one he’d driven me to the hospital in – as well as a collection of bikes. Bikes didn’t really mean all that much to me. His were black, shiny and looked dangerous.
But his cars. Oh my God, his cars.
When he’d flicked on the rest of the lights I’d stood speechless, which was very unlike me. Dave had obviously thought the same thing because he took the rare initiative of speaking first.
He pointed to the car closest to me. “She’s a ’66 Mustang Convertible. And over there is Evelyn, my Corvette Stingray. Plus, Layla, my Mini.”
I shook myself and walked slowly around the Mustang. She was turquoise, inside and out. Why don’t we do turquoise anymore? I wondered. She was absolutely beautiful. Her paint job was polished to perfection and I could see my reflection in the sleek panels. The chrome detailing was magnificent too. Everything about her was lovely. And I was sure if I used the term ‘lovely’ in front of Dave he’d escort me immediately from the garage.
“I think I’m in love,” I said softly.
“Seriously?”
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