The Life Daisy Devlin Designed

CHAPTER 9

“It’s really good to see you again so soon. I haven’t met up with too many people since I’ve been back.”

Matt was sitting across from Daisy later that afternoon, stirring half a spoon of sugar into his coffee.

She could actually feel her heart thumping in the back of her throat as she waited, but managed to school her features. “Well, I can stay half an hour, but then I’ll have to get back to work.”

He gave a cheeky smile. “Why, will your boss fire you? Listen, I have some news. I’ve been approached by a music promoter who wants to use Granary House’s grounds for some gigs this summer. Some other outdoor venue fell through, which is why it’s so last-minute.”

Daisy stared at him for a moment. That was it? That was what he’d wanted to tell her? She struggled not to let her disappointment show.

“ Um , how did the guy even get hold of your number?”

Matt laughed. “He didn’t. He saw that the place had been sold and just turned up on my doorstep. Anyway, the money’s good, and I couldn’t really afford to say no, not with all the expenses I’ll have.”

He had a point, she thought. She tried to visualise what the grounds looked like beyond the kitchen garden.

“I can get landscapers in for you,” she said. “They usually start after I’ve finished, but we’ll work around them. Okay, I’ve some ideas to show you.” She opened the gallery on her phone and handed it to Matt. “Swipe right. The first is a 3D design for your study, then early sketches for the kitchen and dining area, then a mood board: colours, ideas for textures and so on.”

He grinned. “This is since yesterday? Impressive!”

“The mood board was easy enough. I had a pretty clear idea of the look you wanted by the time I left.”

“Sounds like you’ve fallen in love too,” Matt said.

“Sorry?”

His eyes glinted. “With the house.”

“Right.” She laughed, trying to ignore the thought that had just flashed to mind. If she and Matt had never broken up, would they now be the proud, joint owners of Granary House?

“So is James still running that company of his? TakeOff, right?”

Daisy pulled herself out of her fantasy. “ Um , yeah, he’s working hard.” And pretty much all the time! She hurried on. “But Dublin’s a pretty small pond, Matt – you made it in the States.”

“Maybe I should have stayed here.”

He wasn’t joking, she realised. She took a deep breath. “Why didn’t you?”

He shot her an odd look. “I didn’t exactly have a choice.”

Because there’d been bigger, brighter opportunities abroad? Or because he’d had enough of the two of them? Either way, the result had been the same.

She remembered the exact message she’d left on his voice mail: Hi Matt, I don’t get why you left without even talking to me, or trying to see if we could work long distance. I guess you’ve decided we can’t.

His only response had been a short text: Hope you get the life you deserve, Daisy. Matt.

At the time, she’d thought her message was ultra-cool. Now she realised it had revealed the depths of her hurt.

When Matt had texted back, she and Laura had analysed those nine little words to death, and pestered Brian with questions he couldn’t or wouldn’t answer.

Daisy also knew that beneath Laura’s sharp, sarcastic exterior, she was fiercely loyal to her friends. If Brian had told Laura Matt’s real reason for breaking up, Laura’s instinct would have been to protect Daisy even if that meant keeping things from her.

She checked the time. “I have to go. Look, I’ll have all my plans ready for you in a few more days. Phone or email if you’ve any questions or further ideas.”

“Can I walk you back to your office?”

“It’s only around the corner, but sure.”

The air felt heavy and humid as they stepped outside.

“Apparently there’s a storm on the way.” Matt pushed his hands into his pockets. “I’m just hoping there won’t be any powerlines down near the house. The broadband is a bit of a joke as it is. What about you? Are you still afraid of thunder?”

“What?” Daisy tried to laugh it off. “I was never afraid of thunder.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Lightning, then.”

Daisy said nothing. When they’d been together, it had been the perfect excuse to stay overnight with him. But now it felt too intimate – not to mention ridiculous – to admit that she was still afraid.

“There’s a lot of storms forecast for the next few months.” She tried for a deliberately casual tone. “Blame climate change!”

“Let’s hope it won’t interfere with the landscaping.”

Which could be a problem! There was a reason she advised her clients to leave outside work until the weather was better. Not that good weather could ever be guaranteed in Ireland.

Still, most people weren’t trying to turn three-and-a-half acres of overgrown land into an outdoor concert venue!

“This is me.” She stopped outside the nineteenth-century Dublin townhouse.

Matt looked up at the building and laughed. “Of course it is!”

Daisy smiled. “Hey, we just have a small, first-floor room. But I love it.”

“Thanks for meeting me, Daisy.”

Before she realised what he was about to do, Matt leaned in and gave her a soft, fleeting kiss on the cheek.

“No problem. I’ll be in touch.” She turned, fumbling as she keyed in the code for the heavy door. When it clicked open, she pushed it in, glancing briefly back over her shoulder at Matt.

He gave a small wave before she let the door shut, and leaned against it, waiting for her face to cool down. Get a grip, Daisy – it was a kiss on the cheek.

She couldn’t overthink her and Matt. Only what if she was right? What if Matt still cared for her? And what if that was the real reason he’d come home?