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“Hello Dom, yes, of course, I just need a moment to …” But by the time I looked over his shoulder, Erin was gone, having disappeared down the hallway that led to her office. I swore under my breath and returned my attention to the foreman. “I just need to have a word with my assistant, and then I’ll be right with you.”

“Take your time,” he said, and I finished going over the invoice with Becky before I was back with Dom. He spoke about the repairs made to the roof and chimney, the new flooring and kitchen cabinets, all the while I was only half taking it in. My mind was on Erin and when I might possibly find the time today to speak with her. I was keen to see her and talk everything through.

“It looks great. Your team has done an excellent job, Dom.”

I stepped through into the main bedroom, appreciating the extra space. The cottage wasn’t yet furnished, but Becky had organised for everything to be brought in later this week. Even though we were on track for the opening, I started to feel a pressure building behind my skull.

There’d been stress when we’d opened the Cork hotel, but I felt more intense pressure now. The Cork location had been a shared project between Derek, our dad and me. Purchasing the Astor Cove had been my brainchild, and although Derek was on board from the beginning, it still felt like the fault would be mine if this venture failed.

Questions plagued me, like, had we stretched ourselves too thin? Would the old regulars no longer want to stay here now that ownership had changed? Would it be too challenging to attract new guests? Were the staff ready to provide five-star quality service?

Standing in the finished cottage made the rapidly approaching opening day all the more real, and anxiety had my lungs struggling for air. I couldn’t tell if it were normal stress or if the situation with Erin was adding to it. I didn’t want to force her to speak with me, but at the same time, we couldn’t just go on without addressing things.

My phone started ringing almost as soon as Dom left the cottage, and I got stuck on several consecutive calls. It felt like everything was falling on top of me at once, and despite there being all hands on deck, it didn’t feel like there was enough time to get through it all. I’d never felt this sensation before, the responsibility and the impending doom, like a weight was about to descend.

My pulse was racing, and I had to loosen my tie and the first few buttons on my shirt because I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

I walked to the window that looked out onto the private, walled back garden and pushed it open. A cool sea breeze floated in, and I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes for a moment to gain some calm. When I opened them, I realised that someone was out there, lying on the grass. Not just someone. Erin.

She lay with her hair fanned out around her, a halo of curls, the sun glinting in her golden highlights. She stared up at the clouds, moving her hands along the grass beneath her palms as though to ground herself. My gaze took a journey over the dips and curves of her delicate profile, the slow rise and fall of her chest and the serene expression on her face, and suddenly, my anxiety was gone. Erin looked so at ease staring at the clouds, and it soothed the storm inside me.

What was she doing? Meditating? Taking a break from the office to literally touch grass? I decided not to disturb her peace. Pulling the window back in, I intended for her not to notice me, but the frame made a little squeak, and she suddenly sat up, her pretty amber eyes finding me. Instant chagrin claimed her features.

“Tristan!”

“I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“No, I …” She paused and tucked some hair behind her ear. “I shouldn’t even be here.”

“That’s okay. You’re not bothering anyone.”

A look of conflict passed over her face as she moved to stand, smoothing down her pale grey trousers before fixing her powder blue top where it had ruched up. Then she peered curiously over my shoulder.

“Is it finished in there?”

I nodded. “Want to come in and see?”

She hesitated, and for a second, I was sure she was going to find an excuse to leave. Then she nodded. “Sure.”

The relief that washed through me was ridiculous. I hadn’t realised how tightly I’d been wound until that moment, until I could finally draw a full breath again. She’d spent most of the day avoiding me, and now she was agreeing to come inside, to let me show her the cottage.

It shouldn’t have felt like such a victory. But it did.

“Come around to the door,” I said, trying not to let too much of that relief show.

A moment later, I was letting her in, a faint whisper of her light, floral perfume hitting my nose and making something in my gut tighten.

“It’s empty,” she commented as she peered around.

“The furniture is being added later this week just in time for the opening.”

“You kept the original stove,” she said as she walked into the kitchen, peering at the new cupboards and countertop.

“We wanted to maintain the rustic feel,” I said as she ran her hand over the edge of the metal hob.

“It seems so much bigger.”

“That’s just because there’s no furniture yet.”