Faking It. Dorie Graham

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СКАЧАТЬ guess is that the two would complement each other.”

      She pursed her lips. “They’re really two different philosophies.”

      “Which is what makes you such a unique choice. I can’t imagine where else I could find a designer who is also first in the fine art of feng shui.”

      “Not everyone has the same appreciation for it. I always felt it was important to strengthen my training with the more well-known aspects of interior design.”

      “And it looks like I’m to benefit. I’ll have the best of both worlds.”

      “I wouldn’t claim to be the best, Jack, but I will give you my best effort.”

      “Which is all it takes to be the best.”

      She sat a moment in silence. Had she let him talk her into giving him a feng shui consultation? “I’ll e-mail you the standard contract.”

      “That would be really great, Erin. I can’t tell you how excited I am that you’ve agreed to take me on as a client.”

      She couldn’t help but smile. “I’m looking forward to it.”

      “Great,” he said. “Why don’t you come by my condo, say around seven?”

      “Tonight?”

      “Yes, is that okay? I’m anxious to get started.”

      She paused for a few seconds, assessing. “I’ll be there.”

      4

      “IT’S…AMAZING.” ERIN let her gaze drift over the open space of Jack’s main living area.

      Sunlight slanted low through floor-to-ceiling windows and spilled over the white tile floor. A sparse assortment of eclectic furniture circled a worn area rug. Bare walls bordered the room. The scent of roasting meat and spices filled the air.

      Jack shrugged. “You can see why I need you.”

      In spite of her reservations about this project and this particular man, excitement coursed through her. Here in the comfort of his own home he appeared relaxed and even more striking in khakis and a light blue shirt. He glanced at her and caught her staring. Her pulse quickened as she glanced away and stepped farther into the room, focusing on her surroundings.

      “It’s not so bad. I’ve definitely seen worse.” At least it was clean, in a stark kind of way. “This is almost like a blank canvas. It’s easier to picture what we might do with it.”

      She sidestepped around him and pulled out her notebook. “Which rooms are you interested in having me redo for you?”

      “Oh, here.” He moved to a desk tucked into one corner of the room. “I printed out the contract you e-mailed. I filled in all the pertinent details.” He handed her two copies. “It’s signed.”

      “Great.” She scanned the pages, her gaze settling briefly on his bold signature scrawled across the bottom. “It all looks in order.” She flipped back a page, then glanced at him. “You want me to do the entire house?”

      “Yep, the entire house.” He gestured in a sweeping motion. “The rest is about the same.”

      “Okay.” She hesitated, her pen poised. Was she really ready to take him on as a client?

      Seems a little unconventional, not to mention unprofessional, to turn down a paying customer.

      She signed one of the contracts, then handed it to him. “Redesigning the entire house will take some time.”

      “Time isn’t an issue.” His gaze traced her face, drawing warmth to her cheeks. “In fact,” he continued, “the longer the better.”

      “Oh.” Her breath caught and her skin warmed more. She responded so readily to just one look from him.

      What had she signed herself up for?

      He handed her a check. “I believe this covers your standard deposit as outlined in the contract.”

      “Yes, thank you. This will do nicely.” She tucked the check into her purse. “Well, then, why don’t we start in this room?” she said, holding her notebook before her like a shield and taking a deep breath of the delicious-smelling air. “I’d like to ask you a few questions.” Her stomach growled. What was the man cooking? She was absolutely starving.

      She perched on the edge of a love seat with oversize throw pillows. He settled in a chair beside her. “Shoot.”

      “What do you use this room for?”

      “That’s a good question. I don’t really know. I don’t use it that much. I’m not home but to sleep mostly. I guess that’s why I’ve never done much with the place.”

      “Really? Where do you spend all your time?” She couldn’t help asking, intrigued in spite of herself. “How does a…systems information-security…person…spend his time?”

      “Information-security investigator.” His shoulders rippled in an easy shrug. “I spend a lot of time onsite, reading logs, checking configurations or setting them up, depending on the current job. The smart clients hire me before they experience a breach. Figuring out how a system’s been breached—that’s different with every job.”

      “So you’re a computer geek.”

      His eyebrows arched. “I’ve been called worse. I prefer techie, but geek is probably more accurate.”

      “You’re not what I’d call a geek.” Embarrassment swept through her. Why had she admitted that? “No glasses or pocket protectors.”

      “I try to stay away from the more obvious indicators.”

      A smile curved her lips. “Back to business.”

      “If I spent more time here, I guess this is where I’d entertain my guests, should I have any.”

      “Entertainment.” She jotted a few notes. “And is that more formal entertaining or casual?”

      He laughed. “Honey, there’s not a formal bone in my body.”

      “Okay, casual. Do you have any preferences as far as design?”

      He held her gaze. “All I can say is that I know what I want when I see it.”

      “And do you see anything you want?”

      Desire shone in his eyes. The connection they’d shared in her shop sprang to life, humming between them. “Yes, ma’am. I do.”

      She looked away. “In the room, I mean. Do you want to keep any of this?”

      “Oh.” He glanced around. “I’ll leave that up to you. We could sell some of this to a thrift shop or give it to charity.”

      She glanced thoughtfully at the few furnishings in the room. СКАЧАТЬ