Page 16 of Sunset Catchers

“What do you want to start with?” he asks.

“I’m thinking we should do the kitchen backsplash first, then wallpaper. I want to have both of these up in the two cottages before choosing any paint color.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Then we’ll do paint, furnishing and all the finishing details. Decorate. That’s pretty much the gist of it, really,” I say.

“Kit mentioned you might need my car?”

“Yes!” I hang my head. “Shit, totally zoned out. I should’ve asked earlier, but there are a bunch of boxes in Kit’s garage for the cottages. It would be great if you could bring them over here.”

“I did. Everything is in my trunk.”

“Oh,” I breathe out. “Thank you. We can get everything out right now and go to the other cottage to do a little walkthrough, since the design is a bit different.”

While this cottage only had one bedroom, the other was bigger, with an additional bedroom that has built-in bunk beds to accommodate families and groups of friends. Other than that, both cottages had all the same finishings. Vinyl wood flooring that would stand the test of time and guests. Oak kitchen cabinet and stone counters.

On one of my first exchanges with Kit, I suggested the idea of adding some skylights, which she loved.

They are already hard at work bathing in the main space of the cottage with natural light. And Levi, which makes him wholly gleam in a pretty way. I should probably stop just looking at him and say something. Make conversation.

“So, how long have you been a handyman?”

“I’ve been helping Kit on projects throughout her home since I was in high school and learned a lot from my grandpa before he passed, but I’m not a full-time handyman, by any means.”

“What is it that you do for your full-time gig, then?”

“I’m a freelance graphic designer. I also dabble in website design.”

Loose wires connect in my mind. “Wait, you’re also the guy who’s designing the website?”

He bobs his head. “What about you? Have you been designing for long?”

“About ten years. I work at a paint and wallpaper store in Montreal where design spaces for our clientele. It’ll be the first time I am on my own, though. Without a team or anything.”

“I’ll be your team.” That is way too corny for my face; it scrunches up all-over. “What made you decide to go out on your own?”

I shrug. “It just felt right. This opportunity was too good to pass up. And my bosses were on board with my taking these next few weeks off. So, here am I.”

“Have you always lived in Montreal?”

“My whole life, yes,” I confirm.

“Is your family from there too?”

Whoop. I’m done here. The line I trace between us is as clear as if I’d drawn it on a white board with a bright red erasable marker. I hug my tablet to my chest and aim my sight over his shoulder.

I know; his question was basic enough. Typical small talk stuff. But he still went too far for my own comfort. I’m uneasy all over. I can’t help it. Some chemicals in my brain were activated, and this is the result.

Levi is a mine that just hurtled against an invisible slab of glass. The reason behind this shift is a mystery to him, clearly.

Perfect. That’s how I prefer it.

“Sure,” I end up saying, then dismiss the conversation altogether. “So, should we move on to the other cottage?”

He nods and follows me to the other cottage, where he’s back to staring and frowning at me.

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