“So, you’re dating Brad?” she asks without apology. Her chin is up, her eyes on mine, and I respect her even more. She’s not trying to gossip, she’s asking for information.
“We’ve been dating for a few weeks. Geez, more than that now, I guess.”
“I’ve known the Hulls for a long time, and I can tell you, they don’t get better than Brad.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Don’t worry,” she says, waving me off and straightening a shirt on a hanger. “I don’t have a crush on him. If anything I feel sisterly toward him. I dated Max for a while a million years ago.”
“I heard,” I reply and then shrug when she raises a brow. “Small town, Willa, and I’m friends with Jenna.”
“That’s right.” She nods and then laughs. “Max was a long time ago, but I still have a soft spot for his family. They were nice to me.”
“They’re nice people.”
“Exactly. So, I just wanted to let you know that Brad is what you see. He’s a good man, hard worker, handsome fella. And good for you for snagging him.”
“Dating in this town is hard,” I reply and she emphatically nods her head.
“Tell me about it. I’m either related to half the town, or I know too much about them. Or they’re only here on vacation. Not to mention, I have a kid, and he comes first. Always.”
“As it should be.”
“A lot of men don’t get that.”
“A lot of men aren’t worth your time then.”
She stops and smiles at me. “I like you.”
My phone pings with a text from Brad. Meet me at your place at 5:00?
“Speak of the devil,” I murmur and reply with sure.
“Enjoy him,” Willa says. “Make him loosen up a bit. He’s so stuffy.”
I nod and wave as I leave her store and decide to head home for a shower before Brad arrives.
Funny, he’s not stuffy with me.
Hot. Sexy. Funny. But not stuffy.
Chapter Fourteen
~Brad~
“THIS IS… INTIMIDATING.” I’m standing next to Jenna and Max, staring up at the tree houses that are currently under construction. They are about thirty feet in the air, supported by metal beams that will eventually be hidden by faux bark, making the supports look like trees.
“Tree houses,” Max murmurs and then smiles down at Jenna. “Only you would come up with something like this.”
“It’s been in my head for years,” she replies with a shrug. “And it’s going to be so cool. If I can get the contractor to stay on budget. This is the second one I’ll have to fire in less than a month.”
“The budget is a million,” Max reminds her with a frown.
“I know. And he’s almost reached it already and we’re only half way there. I would take over and just do it myself, but these buildings are off the ground. I need an expert for this.”
Max and I share a look of concern, and then we go off in search of the contractor together. We find him, sitting on the circular staircase in the biggest of the three houses, sipping coffee and laughing with a colleague.
“Oh, hi there, Max and Brad.”
He doesn’t acknowledge Jenna at all, which has me balling my hands into fists.
“We need to talk,” Jenna says, but he won’t make eye contact with her. “Mr. Jefferson, we need to discuss the budget.”
“Oh, no need to worry,” he says, but Jenna sets her hands on her hips and glares at him.
“You’ve almost reached my top budget and you’re only half way finished with the project.”
“Well, that can happen sometimes, especially when the woman in charge likes expensive things,” he says and winks at me, but I just narrow my eyes at him and he loses his smug grin, clearing his throat. “Brad, I’m sure you know—”
“I don’t,” I interrupt. “This is Jenna’s project, and you clearly don’t respect that.”
“The budget is the budget,” Max adds. “And you don’t respect that either.”
“You’re fired,” Jenna says.
Jason Jefferson’s eyes bulge and he starts to sputter. “What do you mean?”
“Fired,” Jenna repeats. “Out. Canned. Done. I want you off my property in twenty minutes.”
“You can’t use my guys,” he says nastily. “If I go, they go.”
“Fine,” Jenna replies, not looking at him. “I’ll find someone else.”
“I’ll spread rumors,” he begins, but I walk forward and push my nose into his face.
“You’ll what?”
“I’ll spread rumors,” he repeats, not backing down. “I’ll tell everyone that she sleeps with the crew and her brothers try to intimidate us.”
“I’m not trying,” I say and lean in further, not touching him. “I’m doing. Despite it being a dick move, I understand that in a small town a man doesn’t want to take orders from a woman. But it’s the goddamn twenty-first century and this is Jenna’s work site. It’ll be run the way she sees fit, and she wants you gone.”
“Fine,” he snarls and nods to his employee. “Pack up. Let’s get out of here.”
“I’m an independent contractor,” the young man says and turns to Jenna. “He’s not my boss. I’d like to stay.”
“You’re welcome to stay, Bubba,” she says with a smile. “Anyone else who wants to stay, and work for me, is welcome to do so.”
Bubba nods and leaves the house, walking out to talk to the others.
“You need to leave,” she says to Jason, who’s seething. “And if you try to spread rumors about me or my brothers, I’ll start telling the truth about your work ethic and ruin your business. I don’t want to do that. I think this project was just too big for you, and that’s okay. But it’s time to call it quits.”
“You’re a bitch,” he snarls and stomps away, gathering his tools.
“I hope he doesn’t come back here to destroy what we’ve already done,” she murmurs.
“He won’t,” Max says, shaking his head. “He can’t chance jail time and ruining his business. He’s just butt hurt.”
“Who are you going to hire?” I ask her.
“I have a few calls out,” she replies. “I’ll get someone new right away. This project is too fun and too different. Someone will want it. I’m also going to showcase it in the Parade of Homes later this year, so they’ll get exposure there as well.”
“Man, Jason is a stupid son of a bitch,” I reply. “But I’m glad he’s gone. You don’t want someone here like that.”
“He wasn’t always,” she says and walks into the area where the kitchen will be. “He was excited in the beginning, but I meant it when I said that it got to be more than he could handle. I wish he had just been honest about it from the beginning. Male egos are fragile.”
“That they are,” Max says with a grin. “I can put up more money if you need it.”
“I will,” she says with a sigh. “Thanks to Jason. But I know that this place will pay for itself in the first three years, even with the added budget.”
“I agree,” Max replies with a nod. “Now that I see it in person, I know it’s going to be impressive.”
“Just wait,” she says with an excited grin.
“Mr. Hull?” Bubba comes back into the house with a smile. “I’ve discussed it with the other guys, and they’d also like to stay and be a part of the project.”
“It’s not my project,” Max reminds him. “You all need to talk to Jenna. Always.”
“Of course,” Bubba says and offers Jenna a chagrined smile. “Sorry about that. We’d like to stay if you’ll have us.”
“Let’s have a quick meeting,” she replies and walks outside. “Everyone who wants to stay on this project, I want you to report inside now, please.”
She has her boss hat on now, and I admit, it’s impressive. I’m proud of my little sister.
Once everyone has gathered inside, about eight men, she smiles at them, and then gets to business.
; “I’m thankful that you’d all like to stay on the project. It’s important to me, and it’s going to be wonderful when its finished. But you all need to understand, I’m the boss. Always, every day. My brothers are investors, but that’s it.”
Max and I both hang in the back, our arms crossed over our chests, and watch her take the lead.
“If you have any issues with that, you’re welcome to leave now.”
She pauses and waits, but no one leaves.
“Great. I’ll be hiring another contractor this week, and he will also be a point of contact for you. We will continue with Friday lunches being brought in, as we have been. I want you to be happy and productive.”
“I don’t have any issues with you at all,” one of the men says. “You’re fair, you’re firm, and you’re kind to us. Jason is a dick.”
“Yes, well,” Jenna says with a laugh. “I think we all agree with you. Thanks for being here, guys. We are behind schedule.”
“We’ll pick up the pace,” someone else says. “It’ll get done on time.”
The rest of the men nod in agreement, and a few moments later, they go back to work and Jenna lets out a big sigh of relief.
“That could have gone very badly.”
“They respect you,” Max says.
“And they like you,” I add. “It goes a long way.”
She nods and then runs off out of the house. “Sorry guys, I remembered something I have to do in the other house.”
Max and I shrug and wander out onto the large balcony that looks out onto the ski slopes, green now with summer grass and bright flowers.
“It’s a good spot,” Max says.
“I had my doubts, but she has something special here.”
“Speaking of something special,” Max begins, “tell me about Hannah.”
“Touch her and I’ll kill you.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “No, asshole, tell me about you and Hannah.”
“I like her.” I shrug, as if it’s no big deal, and lean on the railing, not meeting his eyes with mine.
“And?”
“What are you, a woman? Do you want me to tell you all about our first kiss?”
“Sure.” He laughs. “You’ve always been the quiet one. You don’t talk about personal things often.”
“They’re personal.”
“And you’re difficult.”
“What do you want to hear? That I’m in love with her? That I can’t imagine what life was like without her?”
“That’s a start.”
“It’s too soon,” I mutter and shake my head in frustration. “It’s been less than two months.”
“So?” I jerk my gaze to his. “Who gives a fuck about how much time has passed? You’re not strangers, and you’ve spent enough time together to know how you feel about her.”
“She’s amazing,” I reply simply. “She has the next few days off of work, and I’d like to do something special for her.”
“Can you take some time off work?” Max asks.
“Yeah, I have plenty of paid time off coming.”
“I have an idea,” he says. “Take her to my condo in Laguna Beach. Use the plane.”
“Impress her,” I reply, not hating the idea.
“Treat her,” he counters. “Go live it up a little.”
“I don’t like taking advantage of you.”
“Jesus Christ,” he mutters and pushes his hand through his hair. “I understand that you don’t want me to pay off your house. But for fucksake, Brad, I own these things out right, and I’m not using them. You should use them. Take your girl for a romantic weekend at the beach.”
“Okay.”
He looks up, his eyes wide with surprise. “Yeah?”
“Yeah, that would be fun. Thank you.”
Max lets out a sigh. “I thought you’d never agree to it.”
“I’m proud of you,” I say and turn to face him. “I couldn’t be more proud. You’ve made more money than you can ever spend on your own, and you did it with grit and determination. You’re smart. Of course I’m proud of you. But those things are yours, not mine. I like making my own way.”
“I know, and I respect that. But using some of the things I’ve made or bought isn’t freeloading. I want to share all of this with my family. Otherwise, what’s the fucking point?”
I blink, not thinking of it this way before. “Thanks for that.”
“You’re welcome. Now go soak up some beach time with Hannah. Have vacation sex. Laugh. I think you both could use it.”
“That’s the truth. I need to make arrangements at work, but is the jet available this afternoon?”
“It’s ready when you are.”
“Can you keep Sadie?”
“Of course. That dog loves me more than she does you.”
“Whatever.”
“I’ll call down to the condo and tell them you’re coming. Everything will be ready for you.”
“I owe you.”
“No. You don’t. That’s the whole point.”
***
Work is squared away. I was surprised by how easily they all agreed to look after things for me while I’m gone.
I guess it’s been a minute since I took a vacation.
Sadie is safely with Max, my house is locked up tight, and I’ve called the airport. The plane is ready.
Max has owned it for a few years, but I’ve only ridden in it once before. It feels odd. Indulgent. Ridiculous, honestly. I mean, why would I need to ride in a private plane?
But Hannah will get a kick out of it. I’ve seen photos of Max’s condo in southern California.
We’ll both get a kick out of that.
I haven’t been excited for a trip like this in a long time.
I pull up to Hannah’s house and see her car parked in the drive. She’s at her computer when I walk inside, her gorgeous red hair piled on her head, and she’s only wearing a tank top and panties, her legs pulled up under her in the chair.
She’s a fucking wet dream.
But we don’t have time for me to live out the dream right now.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
She smiles and looks up, offering her lips for a kiss, which I gladly accept. I sink into her, kissing her much more deeply than I’d planned, and I have to tear myself away from her if we’re going to leave the house today.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Really?” Her smile widens. “Flowers?”
“Better.”
“Coffee?”
“Better.”
She lifts a brow. “Better than coffee?”
“Oh yeah. I want you to pack a bag.”
She frowns now and stands up out of the chair, and my semi-hard on is now at full alert.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. You’ll also need pants.”
“Will I need a passport?”
“Not this time.” I grin and cup her cheek, unable to keep myself from touching her. “We’re just going away for a few days.”
“Warm or cold climate?”
“Why?”
“I need to know what to pack, Chief Sexypants.”
I cringe at the horrible nickname. “Warm. Think beach.”
“Oh, the beach!” She claps her hands and jogs to her closet. “How fun. I’ll take lots of flip flops, a few bathing suits.” She pokes her head around the doorjamb, her hair falling in her eyes. “Will we need to dress up for anything?”
“Possibly.”
She narrows her eyes and then shrugs. “Okay. I’ll pack a sundress. Shorts. Tanks. Maybe a sweater in case it’s cold in the evenings.”
“We’re only going for a few days,” I remind her as she rushes past me to the bathroom.
“I know, but you just never know what I might need. All the makeup, hair stuff.” She gathers all the girl products in the world into her arms and tosses them into her suitcase, then proceeds to organize everything just so. “Okay, I think I have everything. D
o I need to do my hair and makeup for the plane?”
“No.” I take her shoulders in my hands and turn her to me. “You look beautiful just like this.”
“I’m a mess.”
“I don’t think so.”
“And I’m not wearing pants.”
“That doesn’t bother me either.”
She chuckles and kisses my chin. “When do we have to leave?”
“In about thirty minutes.”
Her eyes go wide. “Brad! We won’t make the plane in time!” She rushes to pull on shorts, slips into sandals, and zips her suitcase closed. “We have to hurry.”
Chapter Fifteen
~Hannah~
I DON’T KNOW WHY he’s so calm. We have minutes to get to the gate in time. There’s no way they’ll let us through security now.
Is this what I’m destined to deal with all the time if I stay with him forever? Because I have to be honest, I can’t do that. I’m way too organized for that. I get to the airport at least an hour before the flight takes off.
I mean, who shows up with only a few minutes to spare?
“It’s going to be fine,” Brad says with a smile as he turns toward the airport.
“Do you want to just drop me off and I’ll run in and check us in?”
“No.”
I stare at him and then shake my head, completely knotted up inside. But, I should calm down. This is his show, and if the plane leaves without us, that’s not my fault.
Yeah. That’s it.
Rather than pull into the parking lot, he takes a turn on what looks like an employees’ road that winds behind the airport, back where the planes are parked.
“We’re going to get in trouble,” I mutter, but he just chuckles next to me. “Who are you? You’re acting very weird.”
“Relax. I know that’s not easy for you, but I’ve got this. We’re not getting in trouble.”
I sigh, not believing him in the least, but decide to take both our advice. What’s the worst that will happen? We won’t go on this trip?
Hell, an hour ago I didn’t even know there was a trip.
He turns away from the commercial airliners and drives over to a smaller plane that has the main door open, the stairs pushed against it like it’s waiting for passengers.
“This is our ride,” he says casually and parks about ten yards from the plane.
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