Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Rose

While Phillip is upstairs changing out of his work clothes, I'm left alone in the living room, unsure of what's happening here. Is this a date? Am I going to be testing out the couch cushions? Do I want to? The not-knowing is making me anxious. Deciding I should at least try to relax before he comes back, I sit down on the now-daunting sofa and take a few deep breaths.

This house is so much nicer than the bachelor-pad I'd been expecting on my first visit. The downstairs is nearly all open-plan, yet still manages to feel cosy with its warm-oak floors, forest-green accents, and carefully selected furniture. Even the barstools at the kitchen counter are inviting with matching green cushions tied to the seats and the back supports.

I won't deny capitalising on the opportunity to do some light snooping when I've taken breaks out here—nothing invasive, just paying close attention to everything that's readily on display. I'll go to my grave before admitting to looking for signs he's dating anyone. There's a bookcase to the left of the TV just before the staircase that divides the space. It's covered in plants I'm unable to name, thanks to my lack of green thumb, thrillers with well-worn spines, and family photos.

One of the photos shows a woman who can only be Phillip's mum—they share the same warm shade of brown hair and blue eyes. She's stood by a fireplace, smiling, and tucked under the protective arm of a slightly older, much taller man. Phillip's dad looks down at her with pure adoration. My heart squeezes with a painful mix of hope and longing that I might find someone who looks at me like that one day.

"Do you want to watch something?" I'm so lost in my melancholy thoughts that I didn't hear Phillip come in. He takes a seat next to me, picking up the remote from the coffee table.

"Sounds good. What were you thinking?"

"I'm in a bit of a rut with TV lately." He shrugs. "What do you like? Introduce me to your favourite." Warmth fills me that he's willing to watch something just because I like it.

"Do you like crime dramas?" He bobs his head from side to side.

"I don't usually, but I'm not against giving one a go. Have at it." He hands me the remote with a flourish and I bring up one of my favourites on his streaming service. I recently started rewatching it for the millionth time but am more than happy to start from the first episode again if it means I might have someone to share my favourite show with.

Phillip

Our food arrives just as the first episode finishes and I'm already itching to watch the next one as I carry the boxes back through to the living room. Rose immediately helps me spread everything out across the coffee table and warmth fills my chest at how easily we work together. It's such a small thing but it feels important.

"Would you like a drink? I have beer, apple juice, and coke."

"Just water, please."

I leave to grab our drinks and a couple of plates but take my time walking back over. Rose has curled up in the corner of the couch looking far more comfortable here than when she first arrived. I can't help but pause to enjoy the sight. Some deep primal part of me hums with satisfaction that she's so at home in my space. While it's way too soon to be imagining what it would be like having her here all the time, I can't completely shut down the thought.

"What did you think?" Rose asks, taking one of the plates and flipping open the lid of the pizza box. The scent of tomato and cheese wafts towards me, making my mouth water.

"I didn't think I'd be so into it after just one episode but I really liked it. You up for another one?" I ask hopefully, picking up the remote and going to the next episode. Rose huffs out a laugh.

"You're hooked now," she teases.

"Hey, this is your fault, remember. I think we can get through at least two more tonight."

"I've created a monster," Rose laments, shaking her head with a sigh but I can tell she's secretly pleased I enjoyed it so much.

"So that's a yes?" While I am already invested in the show, discussing the episodes with Rose is what I'm truly looking forward to. I will take any excuse to talk to this woman. She throws up her hands in defeat.

"More murder and mayhem it is."

We keep watching while munching through our feast. I occasionally pipe up with theories and Rose humours me, not giving anything away. As the next episode loads, she turns to face me.

"So," she begins, resting her chin on her hand. "What else are you working on right now?"

"Well, the set is my main focus, as you know." Her head bobs and I continue. "But I'm also working on a custom order, a blanket box. I'm making pretty good progress actually. I'll work on carving some more of the details while waiting for the different coats on the wood panels for the set to dry."

"That's great." A bright smile lights up her face. "What's it like? Does it have a theme or anything?"

"It's actually got a woodland theme."

"Really?" A giggle escapes her and she tries to hide her amusement behind her hand. "You're going to be sick of trees by the time we're done."

"It's not so bad." I shrug. "Woodland scenes and florals are pretty popular themes for custom pieces. I find ways to keep it interesting. It's fun to try out different flowers and animals if the client hasn't asked for something specific."

"I'd like to see it, if you wouldn't mind showing me." Pride and pleasant surprise bubble up in my chest over her interest in my work.

"Of course, I'll show you tomorrow."

I should have realised Rose would want to see my projects since she's an artist herself but I'm not used to anyone outside my customers showing such interest.

Dad is supportive and appreciates the artistry that goes into my carpentry, but he doesn't really understand the appeal. His passion has always been with the larger jobs, like kitchen and bathroom remodelling. I don't begrudge him for it. While it doesn't spark his interest, he still makes a point to ask how that side of the business is doing just as much as he asks about my other work. Mum even commissioned a couple of pieces for their house to show support when I first started out. I insisted on giving them a major discount, the fee only covering the cost of materials. Now the dining table and matching chairs are used every Sunday for family lunches.

"I'm looking forward to it." Rose smiles and I'm filled with hope that our shared interests will help bring us closer together.

When I notice Rose stifling a yawn for the third time, I decide to say something since it doesn't look like she's going to.

"It's late. Can I drive you home?"

"I can just order a taxi."

"Do you want to get a taxi home?" I ask seriously. "Because if you do, that's fine. But if you're comfortable with it I'd really like to drive you home. No coming inside or anything like that, just seeing you back safely." She ducks her head to hide a blush.

"I'd like that, thanks."

After Rose insists on helping me clear up the takeaway boxes because she doesn't want me to come back home to a mess, we're ready to leave. The roads aren't busy on the drive over to her place and I pull up outside her flat all too soon. The street outside is silent, the quiet settling over us like a heavy blanket. Lit only by the soft glow of the overhead light and a distant streetlamp, the small space feels intimate. I'm not ready to say goodnight yet and, judging by the way she lingers after undoing her seatbelt, neither is Rose.

"Do you have any plans for the weekend?" I ask.

"Just drinks with Aria and Bel, our other friend from uni, after work tomorrow. You?"

"My friend Blake is stopping by tomorrow night and then I have lunch with my family on Sunday. I was actually hoping to take you out for dinner on Saturday, if you'd like?"

"On a date?" She asks for clarification then nervously bites her lip.

"Yes." No sense beating around the bush. I'm more than a little interested in Rose and I'm not afraid to admit it. "I've enjoyed getting to know you over the past couple of weeks and I had a great time with you tonight. If you're not interested, I won't say another word about it but I like you, Rose. I'd like to spend more time with you." I'd like to spend all of my time with you.

"Yes. To the date I mean. I'd like that." She looks up at me through her lashes and my chest puffs up with pride that she's agreeing to give me a chance. "You don't have to do anything fancy though, I had fun just hanging out with you tonight," she admits shyly.

"I had fun too, but you deserve something special. There's a great Italian place nearby, let me take you." She bites her lip hesitantly. "I hate to break it to you, Rose, but if things with us head in the direction I hope they do, I am going to want to spoil you sometimes."

"OK," she agrees. "As long as I get to spoil you back."

"I can live with that."

Not wanting to push my luck any further, I get out of the car and walk around to open her door for her. Walking Rose across the street, my hand resting at the small of her back, I marvel at how far we've come since our first encounter.

"See you tomorrow, Rose." When I move to leave, her hand reaches out to grab my wrist stopping me in my tracks. Jade-green eyes search mine and she must find whatever she's looking for because she takes a step closer, pressing a featherlight kiss to my cheek.

"See you tomorrow," she murmurs next to my ear, her warm breath on my skin a welcome contrast to the crisp night air. She smells sweet, like honey and vanilla, and I desperately long to gather her up in my arms and bury my face in her neck. I want this woman to consume all of my senses until everything else around me fades away. Her delicate touch is there one moment and gone the next. Still, I know I've been irrevocably altered by the experience. Frozen in shock, I almost miss her glance back at me with a smile before unlocking her door and disappearing inside.