I’m alone with this man, who has rendered me speechless, motionless and pretty much useless.
He nods towards two brown leather couches, positioned opposite each other in the bay window, with a large coffee table sitting between them. ‘Please, take a seat. Can I get you a drink?’ He drags his gaze from mine, walking towards a cabinet with various bottles of liquor lined up on top. He surely doesn’t mean alcohol? It’s midday. Even by my standards it’s too early. I watch as he hovers at the cabinet for a few moments before turning to face me again, looking at me expectantly.
‘No, thank you.’ I shake my head as I speak, just in case the words don’t come out.
‘Water?’ he asks, that smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Oh God, don’t look at me. ‘Please.’ I smile a nervous smile. My mouth is parched.
He collects two bottles of water from the integrated fridge and turns back towards me. It’s then that I persuade my shaky legs to carry me across the room to the sofa.
‘Ava?’ His voice rolls across me, causing me to falter en-route.
I turn to face him. It’s probably a bad idea. ‘Yes?’
He holds up a highball. ‘Glass?’
‘Yes, please.’ I smile. He must think I’m so unprofessional. I settle myself on the leather couch, retrieve my folder and phone from my bag and place them on the table in front of me. I notice my hands shaking.
Christ, woman. Get a grip! I feign making notes as he strolls back over, placing my water and a glass on the table. He sits down on the sofa opposite and crosses one leg over the other, his ankle resting on his thigh. He stretches back. He’s really making himself comfortable, and the silence that falls between us is screaming as I write anything and everything to avoid looking up at him. I know I’ve got to look at the man and say something at some point, but all standard enquiry questions have run, screaming and shouting, from my brain.
‘So, where do we start?’ he asks, forcing me look up and acknowledge his question. He smiles. I swoon.
He’s watching me over the rim of his bottle as he raises it to those lovely lips. I break the eye contact, reaching forward to pour some water into my glass. I’m struggling to reign in my nerves, and I can still feel his eyes on me. This is truly awkward. I’ve never been so affected by a man.
‘I guess you should tell me why I’m here.’ I speak! I look back up at him as I take my glass from the table.
‘Oh?’ he says quietly. There’s that frown line again. Even with that, he’s still beautiful.
‘You requested me by name?’ I press.
‘Yes.’ he replies simply. He smiles again. I have to look away.
I take a sip of my water to moisten my dry mouth, and clear my throat before returning my gaze to his potent stare. ‘So, can I ask why?’
‘You can.’ He uncrosses his leg, leaning forward to place his bottle on the table, resting his forearms on his knees, but he says no more. Is he not going to elaborate on that?
‘Okay,’ I struggle to maintain eye contact. ‘Why?’
‘I’ve heard great things about you.’
I feel my face burning up. ‘Thank you. So, why am I here?’
‘Well, to design.’ He laughs, and I feel stupid but slightly irritated as well. Is he making fun of me?
‘Design what exactly?’ I ask. ‘From what I’ve seen, everything is pretty perfect.’ He surely doesn’t want to modernise this lovely place. It may not be my forte, but I know class when I see it.
‘Thank you,’ he says softly. ‘Do you have your portfolio with you?’
‘Of course,’ I reply, reaching into my bag. Why he wants to look at it is beyond me. It won’t reflect anything like this place.