‘I’ve become adept at shooting good photos and considering the distance, it’s not uncommon for me to sell property this way. So, what do you say?’
Heidi wanted to say he didn’t have to be so darn pushy, like he couldn’t wait for her to sign so he could hightail it out of here. But he’d been nothing but polite and professional: no use muddying the waters of their business relationship.
‘You’re the expert so if you think this is a good offer I’m happy to go ahead with the sale.’
‘Good decision.’ Jem plucked a pen from his top pocket and handed it to her. ‘Just sign all the sections I’ve marked with stickers.’
She flicked through the endless documentation, scribbling her signature in the appropriate places. Oddly, she felt nothing. No nostalgia. No sadness. Just relief to be starting the next phase of her life. This house was the last reminder of the person she’d been while married to Bert—subservient, tolerant, fading into the background—and it would be good to put that wishy-washy woman behind her.
When she flipped over the last page, she handed him the pen. ‘All done.’
‘Congratulations.’ He held out his hand and the ridiculousness of the situation made her bark out a laugh as she shook it. A few days ago, this man had been inside her, now they were nothing more than hand-shaking acquaintances. ‘Something funny?’
‘No,’ she said, sliding her hand out of his, hating the residual tingle where his palm had pressed against hers. ‘Thanks for selling this place so quickly, Jem. I appreciate it.’
‘You’re welcome.’ He gathered the paperwork together and slid it into a folder. ‘What can I say? I’m good at my job.’
Heidi felt like they should celebrate but if he’d refused a cuppa no way in hell would he want a glass of bubbly. ‘Well then—’
‘I’m sorry for the way I behaved the other morning,’ he blurted. ‘Some of the stuff I said was unforgivable …’ He swiped a hand over his face. ‘I don’t want to get into it, but I had a health scare recently, which brought forward my plans to retire. Maybe it was the push I needed to take stock and start looking after myself better?’ He shrugged, like his declaration meant little, when fear churned her gut. Not that they had a relationship per se, but she hated to think of this vibrant man being so sick he couldn’t work anymore. ‘Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, when that … uh … happened the other morning, I was scared shitless. It’s the first time I realised my health problems could be an ongoing battle and I freaked out.’
To her surprise, he laid his hand over hers where it rested on the table and she gaped at it for a moment before sliding hers out from under his. She didn’t want his touch confusing her, because while she welcomed his apology, it wouldn’t change anything. She’d made up her mind.
‘Sorry you’re going through stuff, but telling me this doesn’t matter,’ she said, crossing her arms when it looked like he might want to snag her hand again.
‘It does. I was mortified over the way I treated you.’ He shook his head, embarrassment flushing his cheeks. ‘I read up on erectile dysfunction later that day when I got my head around what had happened. It could be health related, but stress is a major factor too and I think selling the agency and Karly’s feelings about my decision … I guess it’s affected me more than I thought.’
A perfectly logical explanation, but Heidi couldn’t dismiss the way he’d made her feel, resurrecting all her old insecurities. She didn’t need that in her life. Not anymore.
‘I’m glad you’ve figured it out.’ She pushed her chair back and stood, wanting to put an end to this conversation, though she admired his bluntness and valued his apology.
He stood too, his gaze inscrutable as it bored into her. ‘I was hoping we could try again.’
Incredulous at his gall, she turned, marched to the front door and opened it. He took a few moments to follow and when he did he could barely meet her eye.
Before he could say anything more to humiliate her, she said, ‘I’m not your test dummy.’
His startled gaze flew to hers. ‘I’m not suggesting—’
‘Yes, you are. You want to have sex again to see if it’s working.’
Confusion clouded his eyes for a moment before they widened with realisation. ‘When I said I hoped we could try again, I meant you and me. Dating. We can take things as slow as you like. I didn’t mean …’ He coloured again and jerked a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of her bedroom. ‘I wouldn’t use you like that.’
Heidi wanted to say he already had, but what was the point? Nothing would change how he’d made her feel and she didn’t want a repeat. ‘I think it’s best if we remain friends,’ she said, surprised when her voice remained steady.
Jem’s shoulders slumped in disappointment, but he nodded. ‘Fair enough. I’ll be in touch about the sale.’
‘Thanks.’
With a curt nod he walked out the door and she closed it, then leaned against it, hoping she’d done the right thing.
CHAPTER
44
Hudson’s usual Sunday routine involved waking early, going for a jog then a leisurely half-hour with a coffee and a paper before heading into the office. Today, he had a gorgeous passenger along for the ride as he drove to Grenville Sanctuary.
‘Thanks for letting me crash at your place last night,’ Karly said. ‘And you were right. You’re a good cook if that chorizo omelette you made me this morning is any indication.’