Mike pulled out the chair and took a seat.
It had only been a few hours since he’d talked to Esther, but in that short amount of time, she and Tracy had managed pages and pages of notes and information. It was quite fascinating.
They had facts on the neighborhood, and on the house itself. Information on who built it, and who lived in it, filled the pages of the notebook.
They’d brainstormed on marketing, and that included becoming members of the Chamber of Commerce.
Tracy, he assumed, had even thrown in a few pieces of fabric. He wasn’t sure what those were for, but he liked her thinking.
“So if we get it listed with the historical society, we might be able to get a grant?” he asked after looking at the notes.
“Never hurts to look into it. It was one of the original houses in that area,” Tracy said. “And you know how that goes. The historical society wants to preserve everything.”
She rose from the table, walked to the cupboard, and pulled down a plate. Setting it on the table, she took her seat and pulled a mug toward her.
With her fingers, she pulled out the bag, and set it on the plate. Mike watched, and then followed suit.
Tracy picked up her mug and sniffed the aroma, and then she sipped satisfied.
Mike picked his up, sniffed as well, and forced his face not to contort into some pathetic scene. He couldn’t help but notice Esther’s slight grin—he’d been set up.
He took his first sip of Tracy’s tea, and he hoped his skin hadn’t gotten noticeable goosebumps. Swallowing the concoction Tracy had considered tea, he set his mug down and picked back up the notebook.
“I have a meeting with Peter on Monday morning about his job offer. I’ll see what he’s thinking, and what his terms on the signing bonus are.”
Tracy looked at both of them. “Peter? Was that the man I met the night Holly and Gabe had their baby?”
Mike thought for a moment. “Yes. That was the night he’d offered me the job too.”
She sat back and fanned herself. “I always tell Chandra to find me a nice looking, older man, who is rich.” She leaned in over the table. “What do you know about him?”
Mike laughed. “Nothing really. I’ll see what I can find out.”
She grinned and brushed her hands over her skirt, which sent her bracelets into song when her arms moved. “You do that. He was a looker.”
Just as Mike lifted his cup to take another obligatory sip, there was another knock at the door. He’d never been so grateful for a visitor.
This time when he pulled open the door Chandra stood there, her hands on her hips, hair pulled back, and her lips pursed so hard they creased.
“I want to talk to you,” she said as she pushed through the door and came to a quick halt when she saw her mother and Tracy sitting at his table.
“Oh, Chandra, hello,” Tracy greeted. “I heard that boy of yours scored in the game today. I’m so happy for him. Let him know for me, okay?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I will.”
Tracy and Esther exchanged glances. “Mike, we’ll leave you with our notes,” Esther said as she stood and put her jacket on.
Tracy quickly stood as well and gathered her bag. “It was lovely to see you, Chandra. Mike, thanks for letting us stop by.”
Both women hurried out of the apartment as quickly as they could, causing Mike to laugh as he closed the door.
He turned to see Chandra in a defensive stance with one hand on her hip, while she bit on her other thumb. It kind of took the edge off of her mad he thought as he watched what must have been a nervous tell.
“I have a nearly untouched cup of tea if you’d like some.” He pointed to his cup on the table.
“Tracy’s blend?”
“Yep.”
“Oh, hell no,” she said, and that had him burst into laughter as he picked up the cups and poured their contents down the sink. Then, with some thought, he poured some soap down the drain and started the garbage disposal. He wanted to be sure that the tea didn’t grow back.
When he turned off the disposal and the water, he turned, leaned against the counter, and crossed his arms in front of him. “So to what do I owe the honor?”
“You left Jason’s game,” she bit out the words harshly.
“Yep. The moment it was over, I left the game. I managed to get over to the sidelines and give him a high-five first, but I did leave the game.”
Her mouth opened and he could have sworn she even squeaked as if she were going to say something, but nothing came out.
“Is that all? I’m in the middle of getting some measurements for the new blinds.”
She turned her head and looked at the windows, and then the mismatched colors he’d painted on the wall seemed to catch her eye, and she walked toward them and studied them.
“I like the lighter brown one,” she said softly enough he had to move from his position against the counter to hear her.
“Which?”
“Lighter brown. I think it would open the room up.”
“I’m leaning that way,” he admitted. “Not sold yet. My mom would say to give it some time.”
She agreed with a nod and turned to face him. This was when he decided he’d move back toward the kitchen, a few steps away, and separate them with the table between them at least.
“I didn’t know you stayed to watch the whole game. Here I’ve been mad for hours and…”
“And you were ready to let me have it, huh? Well, I promised him I’d be there to see him score, and I was. Even my son watched him score, so I think I should earn some bonus points for that.”
“Right.” She looked at the floor, chewed on her lip, then shifted her gaze to him. “Why did you leave?”
Mike gripped the back of the chair, just as he had the last time they’d started arguing with each other. Only this time, he wasn’t going to be kissing her when it was over.
“At one point I’d turned around and saw a man cuddling up to you. There’s one thing for sure, Jason looks like his father, doesn’t he?”
“I didn’t know he was going to be there.”
“You didn’t seem to mind having him so close.
“Mike, you have no idea…”
“You’re right. I don’t,” he said moving to the door and gripping the handle. “I know I laid things out and told you I was interested. You, on the other hand, let me know that wasn’t an option. I kissed you today out of sheer excitement at the moment Jason scored. I’m sorry for that.”
“I didn’t ask him to come.”
“But did you ask him to leave?” he asked as he twisted the knob.
“No.”
“Where is he?”
“At home with Jason.”
Mike pulled open the door. “I’ll fix anything you need to be fixed, but I’m not the kind of man who likes to be left just waiting as a second option. I’ll get the apartment fixed, and then I can move on. It seems I have a few business partners who are interested in my B and B now.”
Chandra stomped toward him. “You’re going to go into business with my mother?”
“Her and Tracy.”
“Tracy? How did you get her involved?”
“I didn’t. They came to me, and I’ll tell you, I wasn’t sold completely, but I am now. I’d be honored to have those two women finance me. You’ve got an incredible support system with those two, do you know that?”
“Of course I know that.”
He pulled the door open fully so she could walk through. “Well, then, don’t keep old baggage around too long if you want your mother back at your house or she just might find permanent residence on Tracy’s couch.”
“She told you that?”
“Goodbye, Chandra. Call if you need something fixed.”
Her eyes had gone sad, but he had to let her go. He didn’t want to be the man that was just around if she needed him. He wanted to be more than just needed for leaky faucets, but if that was all she could handle, then that was a
ll he’d offer.
She passed by him, and he was careful not to inhale, making sure not to catch her scent. When she stopped in the hallway and looked up at him, he waved and closed the door.
Chapter Nineteen
Somehow Mike managed to avoid Chandra for two days. That stupid storage unit was still outside, and he needed to decide if he was going to carry his belongings up the stairs or rent a storage unit. Right now, trekking to Chandra’s house to use her garage wasn’t the option he was most excited about.
He made himself sparse around the restaurant and worked hard all night on the remodeling of the apartment.
He’d agreed with her paint choice and nearly had all the walls done when he had to clean up for his meeting with Peter to discuss the job offer.
Esther had called and asked him to dinner. He couldn’t think of any reason not to enjoy a meal with her and Tracy, so he’d agreed.
At noon, he sat at a brewery in LoDo watching the men and women filter in and out in their suits and skirts. Was he really considering going back into the corporate world? He hadn’t worn a tie since his interview, and he was quite enjoying that.
Glancing at his watch again, he noted that Peter was nearly twenty minutes late. Maybe that was a sign, he thought, just as the man rushed through the door.
“God, Mike, I’m so sorry. Today has taken its toll already,” Peter said as he pulled off his coat and hung it on the back of his chair before extending his hand to shake Mike’s.
“Had a few days like that recently myself,” Mike admitted as he shook his hand and watched Peter sit across from him. “Can I order you a beer? Or are you strictly a water guy during business hours?”
He watched Peter’s expression change, and suddenly he knew this meeting wasn’t going to go the way he’d intended.
“You know, I’ll take that beer,” Peter said as Mike motioned for a waitress.
A few minutes later she returned with their drinks and took their order.
Mike watched as Peter wrapped his hands around the glass and stared at it, deep in thought.
“So, bad day?” he finally asked as if to bring the subject back up again.
“What’s wrong with this world?” Peter groaned. “I’ve had my job for fifteen years. Someone got word about the startup, which I thought was common knowledge, and suddenly I’m on my ass out of a job.”
“They let you go?”
Peter picked up his glass and took a long sip. “Yep. Just like that.”
Mike laughed, though he hadn’t meant to. He lifted his glass to Peter’s. “To new opportunities that come your way when you least expect it.”
He watched as the expression on Peter’s face lightened. “You know exactly how that goes, don’t you?”
“I do. Sold my car, my house, and gave away my dog. Moved here and got laid off. Seriously thought that was the end.”
“But you’re not doing what you came to do yet. You’re a handyman.”
Mike nodded, but he knew there was a wide smile on his lips. “I am, and I’m loving it. I’m renovating the apartment I’m living in in exchange for rent. Can’t beat that. I’m constantly busy at the restaurant fixing things. And it looks like I have my own group of investors in a real estate buy.”
“You’re buying a house?”
“An old house just outside of downtown. We’re going to look into purchasing it and turning it into a B and B. I grew up in one. It’ll be just like home.”
“You might be too busy for my startup,” Peter finally relaxed in his seat.
“I’m still on board.”
“Well, at least I’m a saver. Ex-wife didn’t take off with my savings. I live in a condo I’ve had paid off for years, and I own my car.”
“Then look at it as this was just the new door opening.”
Peter nodded as he saluted Mike with his glass. “I like your thinking. Now all I need is a woman who thinks I’m the king of the world.”
Immediately Mike thought of Tracy. “How do you feel about hippies?”
Peter grinned. “I used to be one.”
“Well, then, I might know a gal.”
Chandra watched the front door, and the kitchen door, disappointed that every person who walked through wasn’t Mike. The thought had crossed her mind to go up to his place and make sure he wasn’t dead. It had been Saturday since she’d talked to him. Of course, her mother had let her know that he was fine when she’d called to say goodnight. They’d had dinner together, and Mike had told her all about the work he’d been doing in the apartment.
It chapped her backside to think her mother hadn’t come back home yet, and she was having meals with Mike. This wasn’t how things were supposed to be working.
To top it off, she’d already had a phone call from the school regarding Jason’s behavior. That, she knew was a direct correlation to his father being in the house. Hell, if Gabe were there, he’d be sending her home too, since her mood was so sour.
She’d already snapped at three waitresses, a busser, and maybe a gentleman who was looking for the restroom. And that, she knew, was also a direct correlation to Austin being in her house.
Since he’d shown up on Saturday, she’d washed his clothes, lent him money, watched him slam through two six packs, and pour at least three shots of whiskey. It had been a non-stop X-box party, and of course, Jason was still awake when she returned home.
This wasn’t what she signed up for, but for some reason, she grew weak around the man, and it broke her heart.
When the door to the kitchen pushed open, she looked up, waiting for Mike. This time, however, it was Gabe, and he wasn’t looking to happy.
“What are you doing here?” She greeted him before he could say anything. “We had a deal.”
“Yeah, well the deal didn’t include my mother-in-law. I’m getting out of the house, and there is nothing you can say to me, or I’ll fire you.” He winked, and she realized the grim look on his face had been the knowledge that she would jump him for being in his own restaurant, just as she had.
“Why don’t you sit down and take it easy then and I’ll get you something to drink. Want some food too?”
He laughed and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You spoil me.”
“I do.”
“Where’s Mike?” he asked as he pulled himself a beer from the tap.
Chandra felt her jaw tighten. “Haven’t seen him.”
“I was going to see if he wanted to watch the game while I was here.” He set his beer down by the register. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to ask him. Why don’t you put in an order of nachos for us.”
She watched as he disappeared down the hallway and through the door to the staircase that led to Mike’s apartment.
The way her heart began to hammer in her chest, she would have thought a celebrity was going to walk through the door. Why was she so nervous to see him? Wasn’t it what she’d been looking forward to?
Chandra picked up the rag she’d been wiping down the bar with when she noticed her hands had begun to shake. It was just Mike. She’d even consider him a friend, so there seriously was no reason to get worked up over seeing him.
When she looked up, Gabe was walking toward the bar alone.
“No need for the nacho order?” she asked as he picked up his beer and took a sip.
“Have you been upstairs? It looks fantastic,” he said as he set his glass down. “He’s finishing up some trim. He’ll be down in about fifteen minutes. So I’ll take those nachos. And you will take the night off.”
Her hand curled around the rag, and she felt her jaw tighten. “You’re not supposed to be here,” she reminded him.
“And you’re still going to take the night off. You’ve been a life saver, Chandra. I love that I’ve been home with my wife and my girls. But tonight, I want to be here where I’m equally at home. I want to serve the bar and watch the game with my friend. Go home to Jason and have a nice night. I insist.”
She looked toward the stairs
again, but Mike hadn’t come down them.
She was torn. Part of her wanted to take the offer and run. The other part wanted to see his face—hear his voice.
Giving into Gabe’s request, she set the rag down and walked to the computer to put in his nacho order.
When the order had been sent she looked around the full dining room. Any other time she’d have taken his offer and run. Why was she even considering hanging around?
“You’re sure?” she asked before she left her post.
“Very sure. I don’t want to be home with my mother-in-law, but she insists on helping. I guess she’s had a change of heart since she’s become a grandmother.”
“It happens. Okay, I guess I’ll go then. Call me if anything comes up. I can be right back.”
Gabe chuckled. “I’m fairly sure I’ll be just fine.”
She gave him a nod and headed to the office to collect her things.
Chandra swung on her coat and scarf, then picked up her bag and headed out of the office. Just as she closed the door, she saw Mike descend the stairs and stop.
His eyes lingered on her for a moment, and a smile came to his lips.
“Hi.” His voice was soft, and it fell on her like a warm blanket.
“Hi. Coming down for the game?”
“Gabe was looking for some company. Headed out?”
She bit down on her lip and nodded. “He gave me the night off since he’s here. I tried to argue, but…”
“You need a night with your family,” he agreed, and she could see the vein in his temple pulse as he did.
She wanted to argue that Jason was her family. Her mother was her family. But she surely didn’t want him thinking that Austin was her family—not anymore.
Mike gave her a little smile and turned toward the restaurant.
Something inside of her didn’t want to see him walk away, so she called after him. “Gabe says the apartment is coming along nicely.”
He smiled as he turned back toward her. “It is. I’m happy with it.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“Would you like to come up tomorrow and see it?”
Chandra swallowed hard. “I would love that.”
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