The Houseshare by Fiona O’Brien

Author:Fiona O’Brien
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC000000; FIC044000; FIC071000; FIC027020, FA
Publisher: Hachette Books Ireland
Published: 2022-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Nessa was doing everything wrong. She was aware of this while at the same time being hopelessly unable to change her behaviour. It had started with the tarot reading. Having Ari suddenly arrive at her door asking for a reading, and then come straight into her small flat wearing his immaculate dark blue linen suit and trailing an expensive fragrance in his wake had been intimidating enough, but to have him sitting at such close proximity, with just a small table between them, as he removed his jacket and slung it on the back of the chair, had unnerved her even more. Her nervousness manifested in her being unnecessarily gushy and talking far too much, instead of maintaining the rather detached, mysterious manner she had intended to, as would befit someone who was aligned with things spiritual. Instead of appearing enigmatic, Nessa found herself hanging on Ari’s every word rather than studying the cards he had come to consult.

‘It has been a very stressful year,’ he said, running a hand through his hair and exhaling. ‘I’m hoping that isn’t going to continue.’ His dark eyes looked into hers.

‘Let me just look at your career …’ Nessa shuffled the cards and laid them out again, forcing herself to tear her eyes away from his.

‘Actually,’ Ari said, with a wry smile, ‘it is not my career that is the source of my stress. My ex-wife is very neurotic … demanding … no matter what I do for her it’s never enough.’ He shook his head. ‘And there’s an ex-girlfriend, who is also becoming unreasonable.’ He sighed. ‘I would love to know if there was any end in sight to this cycle. All I want,’ he said, shrugging helplessly, ‘is to meet someone nice, normal, and down to earth … who isn’t going to expect that I can make the world bend to her needs. I am a surgeon,’ his eyes were looking into hers again, ‘not a miracle worker. My work with the less fortunate must take precedence over more … frivolous activities.’

‘Of course,’ Nessa breathed. ‘What you do is so … amazing.’

‘You are very kind.’ Ari smiled at the compliment. ‘But I consider it a privilege to be able to do what I do.’ His gaze fell on the cards again. ‘What I would love to know is whether there is any hope of me meeting a kind, understanding woman who will love me simply for who I am – ever?’

Nessa swallowed. She looked at the cards which were now glazing over before her. ‘I see several women here,’ she cleared her throat, ‘who would all be very happy to get to know you.’

‘What about a relationship … is that on the cards?’

‘Um, yes, I see a very committed relationship, in the near future – one that will bring you a lot of happiness.’

‘And children?’ He looked eager. ‘I would love more children.’

‘Yes, this relationship will bring a lot of good things into your life.’ Nessa looked up. ‘It will be the universe’s way of repaying you for the good work you have done.

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