by Bria Marche
“What the hell did you do that for?” Tina growled.
“Shush… Dan is coming this way.”
“That’s friggin’ awesome.” Tina began to get up, but Sasha grabbed her leg and pulled her back down.
“Ladies…” He smiled, shielding his eyes from the sun. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but…”
“I bet you didn’t,” Tina grumbled under her breath while rolling her eyes.
Sasha pressed her fingers into Tina’s forearm and gave her a threatening scowl.
“Anyway, I overheard you trying to figure out the math for the brick placement on the slab. I can help you with that if you don’t mind. I actually used to tutor kids in math years ago.” Dan sat in the last vacant chair, which happened to be right next to Tina. “The slab is a thousand square feet, right?”
“That’s right,” Sasha replied.
“How many bricks did you buy?”
“I’m sure it was at least a thousand. I knew that was probably too many, but there’s the path and borders to think of too.”
“That’s good, considering the average size of a brick.” Dan pulled the pencil from its resting spot above his left ear and began scratching out the math on a piece of paper, “Let’s see… we’ll need to use six hundred bricks. Could be a little more or less, depending on how the pattern falls. I’d suggest starting in the center and working your way out.”
***
Tina studied Dan’s features as he figured the calculations. The day was warm, and his jacket sat on the hood of the work van. His skin, already darkened by the occasional warm days, glistened in the sun. The muscles in his right forearm flexed as he wrote. She was mesmerized by him—much more than she wanted to be. His two-day stubble seemed deliberate since it always looked deliciously the same, and those turquoise eyes, the color of the Caribbean, made Tina shiver. She had to look away.
“Thanks, Dan. At least I know we have enough bricks. That’s a relief. Maybe you can help me lay out the beginning of the pattern?”
I’d like to lay him out. Tina shook her head, appalled by the images in her mind.
“What are you shaking your head for?”
“Huh… me? There was a bee buzzing around. Didn’t you see it?”
“Nope.” Sasha grinned at Tina a little longer than necessary.
“Sure, Sasha,” Dan said as he went back to work. “Just let me know when you’re ready, I’d be glad to get you started.”
And I’d be glad to get you started, Mr. Hottie. That’s it—I have to get him out of my head. Tina stood up, huffed, and walked back to the house, dismissing everyone.
***
“Take these bottles of water out to the guys,” Sasha instructed Tina when they were back indoors.
“Who made you my boss?” Tina smirked while she secretly salivated at the sight of the men through the kitchen window.
“It’s just water, for craps sake. You looked interested. Mom, will you do it, please?”
“Forget it—give me the stupid bottles. I’ll hand them out.” Tina walked around to the back of the Victorian with bottles of ice-cold water for the hard-working guys. Dan, Jeff, and Bill were laying the floorboards on the bottom tier of the deck. The sun, being directly overhead, was beating down on the men. Each one had their shirts stripped off already, exposing rock hard, gorgeous abs.
“Hi, guys. I brought out some water. It looks like you might need some.” Tina turned on her heels after setting the bottles down on the treated-lumber boards. I’m going to pass out any second if I don’t get the hell out of here.
“Tina, come on back and sit with us. You aren’t that busy inside, are you?” Dan stood and reached for her hand to pull her up to their level.
Tina couldn’t tell if his smile was sincere or if he was messing with her. Either way, she didn’t want to engage with this over-the-top, full-of-himself, hot deck builder.
“Sorry, I’m busy.” She pulled away and continued on without looking back. “I can’t believe him,” she said as she stormed into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?”
“He’s standing out there, half-naked, being all arrogant and shit.”
Alina dashed to the window, craning her neck to have a titillating peek. “Who’s half-naked?”
“Dan, that’s who.”
Sasha peeked out as well. “Humph… the three of them look to be in the same stage of undress to me. It is hot outside, Tina, but funny how you only noticed Dan.”
“Whatever. So, when are we going nursery shopping?”
“Let’s go next Saturday. The guys will be busy with the vineyard anyway. We’ll drive to White Plains and hit all the baby-furniture stores. Should I invite Dan to join us?” Sasha asked, giggling.
“Knock it off, Sasha.” Tina grumbled as she pulled a bottle of Merlot out of the wine rack. She sliced the foil seal, pulled out the cork, and poured a glass for herself and Alina.
“What’s your problem with him anyway? I like Dan. He’s nice.”
“I don’t need nice. I can get that from Kismet or Claire. Men are a pain in the ass.”
“Yeah, that’s true… especially the gorgeous, sweet ones, right, Mom?” Sasha and Alina chuckled.
“Tina, darling, do you want a boyfriend or a husband someday?” Alina asked.
“I don’t friggin’ know. Possibly… but they’re so whiney and kind of unnecessary. Plus, they’re usually full of themselves.”
Alina eyed Tina up. “You do you enjoy sex, don’t you, Tina?”
“Mom!” Sasha sounded appalled.
“Oh, sweetheart, stop acting like such a prude. You are pregnant, aren’t you?”
***
Tina took note of the couples over the next few days. They all seemed to enjoy each other, even Sasha’s mom and dad, who had been married for thirty-two years. They sat side by side, holding each other’s hands as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Tina was certain they didn’t even realize it at times. Mia and Aaron were getting married in just over a month. Josh and Sasha too, plus they were preggers. Vic and Max were madly in love, and now Karen, the last spinster sister and Tina’s only hope, had finally given in and had cozied up with Mario. What a traitor! Tina was officially the fifth wheel, and it didn’t feel good. She couldn’t even hang out at Karen’s house since Mario was staying there during his recuperation.
She slowed at the stoplight, waiting impatiently for it to turn green. In the car to her right sat a man and a woman, clearly enjoying each other’s company. What the hell? That woman is almost in his lap. Tina gaped at them with disgust. The woman was about to swallow the man’s tongue whole. “Get a room,” Tina yelled out the window as she sped off, squealing her tires. I swear, I’m losing it, she thought when she realized she’d just berated two total strangers. Damn them all! There are couples everywhere I look! It’s like a friggin’ disease, but me? People probably think of me as an outcast, someone to pity because I choose to be single. Inside the house, she threw her purse on the coffee table, knocking over a pine-scented candle, and grabbed the remote. Plopping down on the recliner, she stared blankly at the TV, wishing she had Claire on her lap again. She felt a certain amount of comfort having the cat to care for even though Claire usually lay around like an entitled princess. Tina had sat every night with Claire while Karen was gone, patting her head as the neurotic cat licked her paws nonstop.
Dinner was a bowl of popcorn, and that suited Tina just fine. If I had a guy around, I’d be slaving away in the kitchen while he watched the news in his boxer shorts and scratched his balls. How disgusting! I wonder if Dan is a boxer or briefs kind of guy. This sucks! Maybe I need to find some new best friends that have sworn off men forever. Does that make me a lesbian? Tina was getting worried. She began to wonder why, after all this time, she was still anti-boyfriend. Maybe it’s too late for me now. I’m so set in my ways, and I don’t want to upset my lifestyle. I’m sure I haven’t turn gay. Wouldn’t there be some indication, like being turned on b
y women? She certainly didn’t hate men—she just didn’t want one of her own. She liked Aaron, Max, Mario, and Josh, but maybe that was because they were unavailable. Am I just afraid to be vulnerable again? Everyone else had their relationships turn out okay even when they originally thought the worst. I wonder what Dan is really like. I don’t know anything about him since I avoid him like the plague. If he ever talks to me again, I might listen… maybe.
***
With her mind still full of questions, Tina hit the off button on the remote, powering down the TV. I should buy a pet. That would be a start anyway. Baby steps, they always say.
The ringing phone, still in her purse, startled her out of her thoughts and the sneaky little headache beginning to thump in her temples.
“Hello, Ms. Destiny. What’s up, sister?”
“I’m thinking of going black. Can you help me out with that?”
“What the hell are you talking about, and what’s wrong with Josh? Wouldn’t you have given that some thought before you decided to get knocked up? Besides, I don’t know any black people.”
“Are you on something, Tina? I want you to dye my hair black again. I’m not in hiding anymore. Do you guys have preggers-safe hair dye?”
“Oh… that kind of black, and yes, we have safe hair dye. When do you want to come in?”
“Tomorrow… I’ll bring my mom too. She needs a trim.”
“Hey, Sasha, not that I care, but what do you know about Dan?” Tina walked around her living room as she talked, snipping the dead leaves off her houseplants with her kitchen scissors.
“I like the way you don’t care.” Sasha chuckled. “Anyway, I don’t know much. Only that he lives in Croton-on-Hudson with his parents for now until he can move into Josh’s house. He lived in Albany for a few years. He’s never been married and doesn’t have any kids. He sounds like a normal, hardworking, clean-cut guy. Should I tell him you’re interested?”
“I’ll kill you if you do… just saying. Okay, I’ll put you guys down for ten o’clock tomorrow. I know for sure I don’t have any appointments between ten and three. Maybe we can do lunch afterward.”
“Okay, see you at ten.”
***
The pounding woke the household. Sasha wanted her parents to have a relaxing visit, not one involving hammers and drills at seven in the morning. She figured the guys were starting early because of the forecast. She sat up in bed, stretched, and climbed out, sliding her feet into the cozy shearling-lined UGG slippers, and put on her chenille robe. She opened the sliders to the balcony and stepped out. Dan stood just below her, two stories down.
“What’s with all the racket down there, for crap’s sake?”
“Morning, Sasha. Sorry about the noise, but we want to beat the rain. We’ve got a couple of good days before the storm comes in, and we have to take advantage of it. You want this deck done in a few weeks, right?” He looked up, shielding his eyes, and grinned.
“That’s the plan, dude. I’ll let you get to it. I’m going to make a pot of coffee. Do you need some?”
“Yeah, it looks like we all do. Thanks.”
Sasha zombie walked down the staircase to the kitchen. Josh had recently put a doggy door in the laundry room that led to a small pen in the side yard for Kismet. The pup had her daily walks, but having the ability to go outside whenever she wanted to, especially since the weather was warming up, was a big help. Sasha hit the on button of the coffee machine and sat in the dining room with her iPad to check her emails. She heard footsteps descending the staircase. It sounded like only one set—most likely her mother. It seemed as though women usually set the day in motion.
“Hi, Mama,” Sasha said, standing to give her mother a kiss on each cheek. “Sorry about the noise.”
“That’s okay, darling. Your father snores louder than the banging outside, so I’m used to it. He’s still sleeping like a baby.”
“Do you want to go to Hair Brained with me today? I’m having my hair colored back to black. It’s time. I thought you might want to tag along and get a trim.”
“Thank you, dear, but your father and I have plans already. Josh offered to loan us his car for the day, so we’re going shopping for wedding and baby gifts.”
“Mom, you’re too sweet.”
“We love you, darling, and we’re just so proud of the beautiful, mature woman you’ve become. Your dad can’t stop bragging when he’s on the telephone to his friends in France. It’s adorable.”
The beep of the coffeemaker indicated the carafe was full. Sasha got up and headed to the kitchen. “Stay put, Mom. I’ll get the coffee.” She returned with the carafe and poured two cups. “I’ll be right back. I promised coffee to the guys outside.”
Sasha disappeared down the porch steps and followed the paver sidewalk around to the back of the house. Man, I can’t wait until there’s sliders right off the kitchen to the deck. It will be wonderful. This is a nonstop workout.” She reached the guys, who were busy setting up the decorative railing around the first floor of the deck. The continuous sound of the nail gun hitting the wood confirmed their progress. Sasha stood back and admired the work so far. “You guys, it’s just so beautiful. I’m really excited, and I can’t wait until there are doors blown through the kitchen right to the deck. And when I have a staircase from the bedroom balcony to the deck, I’ll truly be in heaven. Here, have some coffee.” Sasha poured three cups and stood chatting with the men for a while. She talked privately with Dan when Bill and Jeff took a smoke break. “May I be candid with you?”
“Well, sure… I think,” he said.
“What’s your take on Tina? Have you thought of becoming involved with anyone, or isn’t that on your radar?”
“Wow, you get to the point, don’t you?” he joked, a surprised expression crossing his face. Dan rubbed his forehead and frowned. “You know, it’s something I haven’t thought about for a while. I moved to Albany because of a woman. We were engaged for three years, but something about it never felt right to me. It seemed like because we were together that long I was expected to ask her to marry me. She and her family thought it was the natural progression, but I felt pressured. Eventually I called the engagement off. Call it a gut feeling, if you will, but I knew it was the right thing to do.” He picked up a twig and snapped it into four pieces. He let them drop back down to the ground. “Anyway, I stuck around Albany for a few years because my business was good, but running into her and her family was awkward. It took a while, but I knew I would end up back here, closer to home. There wasn’t a good reason to stay in Albany anymore. My parents aren’t that old, but I still want to be nearby. I can help them out whenever they need me. I’ve always liked Tarrytown and thought it would be a decent place to buy a house and settle down.”
“With a family or alone?”
He laughed again and gave Sasha a wink. “I know where you’re going with this. Are you the designated matchmaker in the group? Actually, I’d love to get married and raise a family right here. That kind of commitment has to come naturally, though, and it has to feel right.”
“Yeah… I understand. More coffee?”
“Sure, thanks. Anyway, Tina is kind of an enigma. I’m not really getting a good vibe from her. She’s beautiful and all, but she just seems angry at me. Do you think she’s still upset about that accident at Amelia’s? I mean, that was a few weeks ago.”
Sasha filled his cup to the top. “No, not at all. It’s just Tina being Tina. She’s kind of set in her ways and far too rigid for her own good. What she needs is to let her hair down and have fun. She’s a good time with the girls, but I think guys scare her. As far as I know, she’s never been in a serious relationship. I’m the newest sister in this bunch”—Sasha smiled, a million thoughts going through her mind—“but if you really want to know about her, you’d have to ask Mia or Vic. They all grew up together. Or you could ask Tina herself.”
“So, do you think I’m too scary for her, being of the male species and all?”
Chapter Twelve
Sasha yelled down from the balcony. “We’re leaving in five minutes, Dan, and wipe the sawdust off your clothes—I don’t want my truck messed up.”
Dan looked up and yelled back, “Won’t Josh think it’s weird that I’m taking off with you?”
Josh and Gerard had another full day of planting, then the tiny vineyard would be complete. After that, grape ivy needed to be strung through the arbors, and the pergola would be built over the bricked ceremony platform. There was still plenty of work to do in the next six weeks.
“Nope. I already explained it to him. Of course, he thinks I’m being a busybody, but he wishes he could see Tina’s face when you walk in with me.”
“Okay. I hope you know what you’re doing. There may be repercussions we’ll have to deal with.” Dan took off his denim jacket and shook it out. He brushed the sawdust off his pants, told Jeff and Bill he’d return in an hour, and climbed into the red Tundra with Sasha.
The buzzer rang out when they entered through the door of Hair Brained. Tina and Vic looked up for a second, out of habit more than anything else. Tina dropped the comb that was in her hand and stared at Dan. Trying to regain her composure, she grabbed a clean comb from her drawer and finished Lori Martin’s hair. Sasha’s—and what Tina had thought was Alina’s—appointment was next. She flung the cape off of Lori’s shoulders, handed her the mirror to take a look, and sent her on her way. Tina was pissed, and Sasha was well aware of it. Hair Brained was packed with all the stylists booked solid. Tina couldn’t pass Dan off on anyone else.
“Humph… your mom looks a little different than how I remembered her from… what, two days ago?” she snarled, directing her comment toward Sasha.
“Hey, girl.” Sasha air kissed Tina, playing it off as if nothing was amiss. “Dan’s taking her place. Mom couldn’t make it after all.”