Eadan hated his new flat. Even though at the time he’d chosen to move he hadn’t cared about his future home, he now realized that he’d taken his previous comfort for granted.
Compared to his earlier existence, this sprawling place seemed drab and lifeless. The furnishings he’d sent over from the apartment where he and Simone had shared their life held no attraction for him whatsoever. Most of the pieces had been her choice, not his style at all. Therefore, he’d chosen the leftovers she didn’t want and thought he’d make do.
Except, it wasn’t working. The space depressed him. And a man in that state had no hope of concentrating. Bad enough the dry subject he’d chosen to write about only kept his interest in blocks of a few hours at a time, but when he tried wandering the rooms to let the thinking process kick in, all he saw were his sorry surroundings.
Turning to his cellphone, he checked the picture he’d taken of the advertisement he’d seen earlier in the lobby with the phone number front and center. Someone in the building offered decorating services. He’d taken notice but hadn’t thought too much about it until one of the other residents had seen him reading the poster and had spoken up. “Do you live here?”
“Yes I moved in recently. I’m Eadan Fleming, living at 906.”
“Dickie Frost, 709. My partner and I had Miss Calder decorate our place recently and it’s gorgeous. If you’d like to come for a drink some evening and take a look, just give us a knock. Honestly, you’d do well to hire her if you’re in the market for that type of service.”
Ah… Miss Calder? “Thank you. I’m contemplating some upgrades and I’ll certainly keep her in mind.”
“Please do. She’s a lovely girl, lives right here in the building, and I have no doubt would satisfy you completely. Look, do stop by tomorrow. In fact, why don’t you join us for drink around five and I’ll prove to you what I mean.”
Eadan had politely agreed to visit the next evening to view Dickie’s place, but since the fellow was decked out in tight black pants topped with a silky pink and white striped shirt, he couldn’t imagine that their tastes would be compatible.
Satisfy you completely! Remembering the conversation, Eadan grinned while imagining the comeback Graeme would have made.
He looked around at the drabness and frowned. What the hell! This could be a sign for him to move on. He’d contact her once he was more settled and set up an appointment.
And if she was unattached, he might just suss her out and see if she’d be open to a date. If nothing else, it would give him someone to have dinner with. And if her shape was anything to go by, she wouldn’t be a picky salad-freak like the last woman he’d put up with for two long, grinding years.