Falling Read Online Free Page B

gently on his preconception of her. “And thank you, I would lovesome help with the boxes. I’ve got far more books than I realized and I’m not sure where to put them.”
    Dominic looks around the living room. “You want me to build some shelves in here? I could make some beautiful built-in cabinets.”
    â€œActually, I wouldn’t mind some in there.” She points to the family room. “I was thinking of having that as a little library-cum-office. Would you be able to build some shelves in there? I was just about to order some of those stepladder bookshelves, but having built-ins would be even better.”
    â€œSure. All part of the service. No charge.” He smiles at her. “I can run to Home Depot today and pick up the wood. I’ll just have to take measurements.”
    â€œYou would really do it? I was kind of joking. I didn’t actually think you’d say yes.”
    Dominic frowns. “Why would you joke about that?”
    â€œBecause it would be unthinkably rude to actually ask for something so huge. Are you completely serious? Because I totally understand if you aren’t.” Part of her feels guilty. She barely knows him, and yet she trusts him. If he means it, she wants him to do it.
    â€œI’m totally serious.”
    â€œThank you,” she says. “Truly. This is amazing.” She is smiling widely, unable to quite believe his kindness. “Can I just ask one tiny thing?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIf you’re going to build bookshelves, wouldn’t it be better to remove the carpet first? You don’t want shelves sitting on the carpet. If I pull it up while you’re gone, we can recut it to fit around the shelves. That will give a much more professional finish.”
    Dominic looks at the carpet, thinking, before nodding. “Okay.Sure. You pull the carpet up and we can refit it when the shelves are done.”
    â€œFantastic!” Emma’s face is alight with pleasure that her plan to get rid of the hideous carpet has been put in motion so soon. “Let’s get these boxes stacked up against the wall so at least we can get the rest of the furniture in.”

FOUR
    Y ou’re right, this is . . . fine for a temporary place to live,” says Sophie, walking through the house and trying not to show how much she hates it. “I mean, I really can’t see what it’s going to look like with all the boxes everywhere. And . . . that terrible wood.”
    â€œI know. The wood. Isn’t it awful? I’m dying to paint it all, but I need to move slowly. I’ve already got the landlord to agree to take the carpet up, which will then mysteriously disappear. ‘Oh bugger! Those bloody garbage disposal men took it by mistake. I only propped it up against the wall outside because there was no room for it inside. Oh, I’m so sorry. How about I replace it with some lovely fresh, new, clean sisal? My treat. To make up for my mistake.’”
    Sophie laughs. “Poor landlord. He won’t know what’s hit him. So what’s the story with him? Is he cute?”
    Emma starts to laugh. “Absolutely not. First of all, have you notheard the expression about not doing your dirty business on your own doorstep?”
    â€œAre you kidding? Where better? He could slip through the sliding doors at night and have his wicked way with you. So, is he cute?”
    â€œSophie, no. First of all, he’s not my type, at all.”
    â€œWhat’s your type?”
    â€œNot him.”
    â€œMethinks the lady doth protest too much.”
    â€œI promise you, Sophie. He’s not for me. But he seems like a lovely guy and he did help me move all the boxes.” Emma sits up as she hears the sound of a car. “In fact, here he is after his Home Depot run. So now you’ll get to see for yourself.”
    Sophie joins Emma to look out the window, giving a low wolf whistle