The Holly Project

by KA Sterritt

  Her whole demeanour relaxed and she took a swig of her coffee. She laughed a little. “I tell him that all the time. Why would that be news to him?”

  “That’s what I thought. But when I told him yesterday, he seemed surprised.”

  “That’s strange. He friend-zoned me ages ago.”

  “That’s just it, though. I think he may have been re-evaluating that last night.”

  “Wouldn’t you find that awkward? You two are like an old married couple.”

  “Just make sure you break up amicably is all I ask.”

  “Why do you always assume things are going to end, Holly?”

  “Because they always do. I just don’t want to lose either of you in the fallout.”

  “Enough about me. Talk to me about the guy you left the club with.”

  “Sam.” I took a big gulp of my coffee. “Sam was… fun.” I glanced up to see her shaking her head. She seemed disappointed in me.

  “So Ryan is off the menu then?” she asked, shaking her head. “I was kind of hoping you’d see where that could go.”

  “Well, I didn’t end up sleeping with Sam. I just couldn’t get Ryan out of my head.”

  Audrey smiled as she spread Vegemite on toast.

  “There’s no chance I’m risking my career over a guy, though, no matter how hot he is. Anyway, Sam is fun. I gave him my number.” As I took a bite of my toast, savouring the salty goodness, I suddenly remembered my conversation with Dad. “Oh, I almost forgot. Any chance you want to come to lunch with my family today?” I asked, feeling a bit guilty that it had slipped my mind.

  “Oh, sure, I’d actually love to come. I haven’t seen your Dad and sisters since April’s twenty-first. When was that?”

  “Um… April.”

  “Oh right, sorry. I’m a little bit hungover here,” she replied with her eyes shut, hitting her forehead with her hand.

  “Righto. Well, we’re due there around midday. I’ll drive.” I put my coffee mug in the dishwasher and wiped the crumbs from the bench.

  “What time is it now?”

  “Ten-thirty. Plenty of time to become presentable – well, for me anyway. I clearly didn’t drink as much as you.”

  “Ugh. Thanks a lot.”

  Smiling, I handed her another cup of freshly brewed coffee. She breathed in the fumes as if they alone could cure her pounding head.

  ***

  Dad still lived in the same house my sisters and I grew up in. Everything about it had Mum’s stamp on it. It was impossible to escape the vivid memories in every room. I found the place both eerie and comforting, although I flat out refused to go into the master bedroom. Jamie was in high school and still lived at home. Technically, April still lived there too, but according to Jamie she didn’t spend many nights at home. She had been with her boyfriend Connor for four years now, which seemed insane to me. They were so young.

  Despite finding my family home a place of mixed emotions, I loved the street. Large liquidambars lined the street, forming an avenue of leaves. I had fond memories of April and I collecting cicadas in a box and climbing those trees with our friends – completely carefree. I don’t remember a single adult in any of those memories.

  “Is that a For Sale sign outside your house?” Audrey asked as I was parking.

  “No way. Dad would’ve told me.” A feeling of dread suddenly swept over me as I walked towards the house. Audrey was right. A large sign had been erected, emblazoned with a picture of the back verandah overlooking the swimming pool.

  “I’m guessing that’s what today’s conversation topic will be.” Audrey put her arm around my shoulders. “You okay?”

  “Of course. I thought he would have done this years ago.” Why was I lying to my best friend, who would have completely understood my horror?

  Dad met us at the front door with warm hugs.

  “Hi, Mr Ashton,” Audrey said.

  “How many times have I told you to call me George?” Dad replied. His warm smile conveyed the genuine love he felt for her.

  “Sorry, George. Old habit, I guess,” Audrey replied.

  “What’s with the sign, Dad?” I asked, trying to appear unaffected.

  “Come inside, Holly. April, Jamie and Connor are out the back. We’ll talk over lunch.”

  Dad was a really good cook and had made his signature lasagne for lunch. Once we were all seated, he tapped his wine glass to get our attention.

  “Okay, guys. As you all now know, I’ve decided to sell the house. In fact, I accepted an offer yesterday, so we’ll be moving out in six weeks. Letting it go was obviously a difficult decision, but it’s the right time. I’ve come to realise it’s just bricks and mortar. Our memories are in here.” He left his hand over his heart while he continued. “While I continue to live here, I stay stuck in the past, and it’s time for me to move on with my life. You girls have made me so proud. It’s time for me to start living too.”

  “Have you bought another house?” I asked, forcing my voice to sound upbeat and casual, masking my inner turmoil.

  “I’ve bought a three-bedroom apartment at Balmoral Beach,” he replied. “I know how much you girls love it there.”

  “It’s really gorgeous, Hol,” April said. “You’ll want to visit all the time.”

  “That’s great, Dad.” I was trying so hard to be happy for him.

  He smiled warmly at me then raised his wine glass. “To letting go and moving on.”

  “To moving on,” everyone repeated. I opened my mouth but the words stuck in my throat.

  When everyone started to eat, I excused myself to use the bathroom. I just needed a few minutes to compose myself.

  As I returned to the table, Jamie called out. “Hey Hol. Remember that time you chained yourself to the tree in the backyard when it had to be cut down?”

  Smiling at the memory, I replied, “Of course I do. Would have worked too if Mum hadn’t lured me inside with chocolate cake.”

  “What about the secret passageway?” April asked. “How did we not get bitten by funnel-web spiders crawling through there?”

  “I always worried about that,” Dad said. “It was your mother who insisted we leave you alone to be adventurous explorers.”

  It went on like that throughout the rest of lunch. We had so many memories in that house, and most of them involved Mum.

  How could he sell Mum’s house?

  Chapter Eleven

  I woke up on Monday feeling tired, yet determined. By the time I had showered, dressed in my go-to black suit, done my makeup and inhaled my coffee, I was almost ready to face my first day at Davenport Property. I had a plan. My defensive walls were firmly back in place and I was on track to be the best damn architect they’d ever employed.

  Ryan and I had connected on a level I hadn’t thought possible, but that had been on a day when I was weak and vulnerable. Today, I was back in control. The weekend away from him had given me the perspective I needed to push him back to where he belonged – at arm’s length.

  Just as I was about to head out the door, my phone buzzed. I had programmed Ryan’s number from his business card, so I immediately knew who the message was from.

  Can I give you a ride to work?

  Surprised, but shamefully thrilled, I replied: If it’s on your way? I’m in the Hyde Park Apartments on Liverpool St.

  His response came through almost immediately. I’ll be there in 5.

  I was frustratingly excited to see him. This was not part of the plan. After double checking my makeup and giving myself a little pep talk in the mirror, I called goodbye to the girls and headed out the door. Leaning back against his dangerously sexy, charcoal-grey Aston Martin, Ryan set my body on fire. His smile let me know he was as happy to see me as I was him. Definitely not part of the plan.

  Stopping just beyond arm’s length – at least that was part of the plan – I drank in his incredible good looks. As I took in his light grey suit, worn over a black shirt, my thoughts were inappropriately sinful. They invo
lved a ripped black shirt. Clearly, I needed a new plan.

  “Well, you got even more beautiful over the weekend.” His sexy voice jolted me out of my fantasy.

  “That’s strange. You look just the same,” I replied, trying to regain my composure. “I could have caught the train, you know.”

  “I’m sure you could have, but I think you’ll find my car more comfortable than the vinyl express at peak hour.”

  “Well, thank you, I guess…”

  Davenport Property’s offices were located across the Harbour Bridge in North Sydney. I loved crossing the bridge and knew that I would have lived on the north side if it weren’t for Zara’s apartment in the city. I felt more at home in the north. Even though it’s full of memories, it’s where I grew up.

  We pulled into the underground car park and Ryan expertly manoeuvred into one of the reserved spots. Neither of us made a move to get out. Once we were in the office, we would need to be in full professional mode.

  The sexual tension was palpable. I wanted him to kiss me again. When he looked at me, I knew he wanted to kiss me too. We stared at each other, each daring the other to make the first move.

  I broke first, looking down at my hands, which I was nervously wringing in my lap. “This cannot happen. I’m working for you.” Out of the corner of my eye, I could see he hadn’t broken his intense stare. “You are my client,” I continued, meeting his gaze. “This just can’t happen.”

  “Who are you trying to convince, Holly?”

  “You. I mean, me. I mean… well, both of us, I guess.” My mind was a jumble. I needed some space from him. As if sensing my need, he was out of the car and opening my door before I could finish a complete thought.

  “Come on.” He reached for my hand and I took it instinctively. “Let’s go upstairs.”

  We rode up to the office, smirking at each other in the mirrored elevator walls. I had absolutely no idea how I was going to pretend there weren’t fireworks going off between us.

  As the doors opened, he placed his hand on my lower back and gently nudged me forward. His touch was so intimate that my whole body shuddered.

  “Don’t touch me, please,” I whispered, not looking at him. He removed his hand.

  “Good morning, Mr Davenport,” said the perky young receptionist. I held back a chuckle. Her flirting was not of the subtle variety. But really, who could blame her?

  “Good morning, Chloe.” His response was unaffected and professional. “This is Holly Ashton. Can you please show her around and make sure she has a workstation set up?”

  “Of course, Mr Davenport,” replied Little Miss Perky. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  “No, that’s all. Just make sure Holly has everything she needs. Thank you, Chloe.” Striding off, I couldn’t help staring at his sexy swagger. I found myself wondering what sort of desk he had, and what we could do on that desk.

  Get a grip, Holly, you have a plan. Okay, a flailing plan, but a plan nonetheless.

  “You can put your things here.” Chloe motioned towards an empty workstation by the window. After pointing out the amenities, she introduced me to the other employees. Michelle Cartwright and Piers Holloway had their own offices and greeted me warmly.

  The day passed in a blur of meetings. Everyone seemed genuinely enthusiastic about my design, although a few of my ideas would need to be reined in, courtesy of some feedback from the finance department. Oblivious to the darkened sky outside, I was completely engrossed in reworking one of my drawings when I felt his presence behind me. I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see it was after six o’clock.

  “You’re so sexy when you’re concentrating.”

  I swivelled around in my chair and lost myself briefly in his lust-filled sapphire eyes. My God, he’s gorgeous.

  “Are you all done for the day?” I asked.

  “I’m done with work, that’s for sure. Have dinner with me?”

  Even though I knew we were alone, I still glanced around the empty office, a little flustered.

  “Like a work dinner?”

  “Of course, Ms Ashton,” he replied with a grin.

  “Alright then. Dinner.”

  Nice plan, Holly.

  Shaking my head but unable to keep the corners of my mouth from turning up, I quickly saved my work and shut down my laptop. Allowing him to carry my things, we returned to his car and headed south.

  “You were amazing today, you know,” Ryan said, after a few minutes of silence.

  “Thank you. I really enjoyed being at your office.”

  “I’ve cleared it with Slater so you can work out of my office for the rest of this week.”

  I just stared out the window, catching glimpses of the Opera House as we crossed the bridge. My mind flashed back to the time Mum took me on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Opera House. We’d got up at the crack of dawn for the seven am tour, and it had been worth the early start. Mum and I were both mesmerised by Jørn Utzon’s inspired design. He had been a young architect when he won the competition with his design for the Sydney Opera House. I wasn’t arrogant enough to compare myself to him but I did aspire to greatness, and I was determined to leave my mark somehow. Ryan’s intoxicating presence was making me consider jeopardising my career. I needed to sort that out quickly.

  He glanced over at me. “Where did you just go? I lost you for a minute there.”

  “Oh sorry, um, that’s fine. Working at your office this week. Got it.”

  We had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Darlinghurst. Despite making no further attempts to touch me, he was making my plan to stay professional and emotionally detached very difficult to carry out. I was incredibly drawn to him, and not just because he was so physically attractive. He had a sharp wit, a creative mind and was a complete gentleman, which I was mostly happy about, although part of me wanted to rip off his clothes and ditch my stupid plan altogether. What was happening to me?

  “So tell me, Holly,” he said, as our coffees arrived. “How is it that a smart, funny and gorgeous girl like you is single?”

  “I could ask you the same question. How is it that you are single?”

  “Firstly, I asked first. And secondly, who says I am?”

  The look on my face must have given me away.

  “I’m kidding, Holly. I’m single. I’m not in a hurry to be tied down. So…?”

  “So… that was a great meal. Have you ever been to Italy?”

  “Nice try. No deflecting.”

  Sighing, I sank down in my seat slightly. “I’m not interested in serious relationships either. I’m focused on my career.” It was an honest answer, and I hoped we could leave it at that.

  “If I tell you something do you promise not to laugh?”

  “No. I will definitely laugh. That’s like saying ‘promise you won’t think about pink elephants’. It’s impossible not to do something when you’re told not to. That’s a well-known scientific fact.”

  “Okay then. I won’t tell you.”

  “No, you have to now. Another well-known fact is that you can’t ask a question like that and then not spill it.”

  He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “Wow, Holly. What must it be like to be your brain?”

  “Spill it, Davenport.” I gave him my sternest look, making him laugh.

  “Okay, okay.” He uncrossed his arms and put his elbows on the table. “I spent the weekend formulating a plan to keep my professional distance from you today.”

  “Really?” I shocked myself with my composed response. “And how successful was your plan?” Butterflies were rioting in my stomach. It seemed we really were on the same page.

  “Well, that depends on your perspective,” he replied, flooring me with his dazzling gaze.

  “It was your plan. Surely there’s only one perspective?”

  “No, what I mean is from a professional perspective, it went really well – I haven’t yet crossed any lines. But I desperately want to take you
home and rip your clothes off, so it’s also going really badly.”

  “Oh.” Staring at each other across the table, my mind went into a death spiral. What was I supposed to say to that? The heat in my cheeks burned and I could no longer risk looking him in the eye. He would be able to see my shaking resolve.

  “It’s not worth the risk,” I whispered. But when I glanced up and met his eyes, I immediately questioned that statement.

  Ryan signalled to a passing waiter for the bill.

  “Look, Holly.” He reached across the table and took hold of my hands. “I don’t play games. I like you. You are a beautiful, sexy, talented woman and I’m not going to deny being out-of-my-mind attracted to you.”

  I blushed at his compliment and pulled my hands back, placing them on my heated cheeks.

  “What are you trying to say?” I whispered.

  “I’m not sure exactly. I guess I don’t agree about it being such a great risk. We seem to both want the same thing here – neither of us is interested in anything serious.”

  “Just sex, no relationship to complicate it. Is that what you mean?” I asked, trying to keep my voice as even and unaffected as possible.

  “Let’s get out of here.” He stood, and held out his hand. I took it, which felt a lot like agreeing to his suggestion.

  Ryan settled the bill, ignoring my attempts to split it with him. I didn’t push the point – it was, theoretically, a work dinner.

  There were cabs lined up outside the restaurant but neither of us made a move towards them.

  “Thanks for dinner.” I had no idea what to say or do.

  Ryan stood directly in front of me and tilted my chin up, leaving me no choice but to look him in the eye.

  “Tell me what’s going on in that crazy brain of yours, Holly.”

  “So much. Too much. Possibly not enough? I’m confused, I guess.”

  His lips touched mine and incredible sensations took over my entire body. I was insanely affected by this man, but I just wasn’t sure an emotionally detached fling was possible.

  “We both know it will be amazing. Give it some thought. But don’t take too long.” He kissed me again, then led me to the cab at the front of the queue.