‘What?’
‘It’s just...neither surfing nor rock climbing are on my “must have” list, I’ve got to be honest.’
‘So what is?’ He leans forward and his expression is analytical and watchful, so my mouth goes dry and a frown crosses my face.
‘Erm... I don’t actually have a list.’
‘So make one now.’
I stare across at Theo, not letting myself populate the list with the qualities of his that I find desirable. ‘Well, I guess interesting and intelligent. Someone with a social conscience. You know, not some guy who’s just interested in showing off or whatever.’
‘No hipsters.’
‘Is this my list or yours?’
‘I know you.’ It’s delivered deadpan but it sends a cascade of feelings through me. Because he does know me, and that’s rare. Apart from Kevin, I keep most people at a distance in life. ‘Money?’
‘What about it?’
‘Does he have to have it?’
I think about that a moment. ‘He has to not care that I have it.’ I blink away for a moment, knowing he sees everything and understands me way better than I’d like.
‘That’s an issue for you?’
I swallow. ‘It has been.’ There’s no point in dissembling with Theo.
‘Some fortune hunter fiasco?’
He makes light of it but I can’t quite summon a smile.
‘Something like that.’
‘Seriously?’
I blink towards him. ‘It was a long time ago.’
He swears under his breath and reaches for my hand. ‘I’m sorry. No one... You should never...’ He shakes his head, apparently lost for words. ‘What happened?’
‘You know, it was just some guy I liked, a long time ago. I thought he was The One; he thought I was his ticket to fame and fortune.’ I shake my head and now my lips twist into a rueful expression. ‘It was my own fault. I think I was rebelling against Dad, even then. He hated the guy, told me it would be a disaster. He was right, as it turns out.’
Theo’s expression is like thunder. ‘He was an idiot.’
‘My dad’s not... He’s just...’
‘Not your father,’ Theo mutters. ‘The ass-wipe who saw your net worth as your utmost value.’
I dip my head. ‘It’s probably a hard thing to look beyond, for most people. So yeah, someone with money makes it a bit more straightforward—I’d never have any doubts, at least, about why they were interested in me.’
‘Done.’ His expression is inscrutable. ‘What else?’
‘Someone who’s kind, and patient. Who understands that I work long hours and gets why my work matters to me.’ My smile lifts. ‘Someone who makes me want to not work twenty hours a day.’ I ignore how much of my list is a part of Theo. ‘Someone who’s ready to settle down, I guess, who’s past the whole messing around stage of life.’
I feel like he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. Instead, he leans forward so I catch the faintest hint of his masculine fragrance and my insides react accordingly. His expression is impossible to read. ‘I know the perfect guy.’
‘Really?’ I’m sceptical, but I don’t tell Theo that. I don’t even want to admit as much, because I have no idea why I should be. ‘Tell me about him.’
‘Carrington Hughes-White. Carey. He’s thirty, a financier, but he funds a charity project in Africa on the side—’