Page 19 of Fallen Hearts

“Yep.”

We stood in the Eliza room, considered the best of all eight. It boasted both a view and a fireplace but was definitely outdated.

“What are your thoughts on updating the rooms?”

“That we need more money to renovate than Heritage Hill’s coffers will allow.”

“So you’re on board with some updates?”

“I am, but we need to work within a budget. I’ve thought about asking Parker to handle some of the bigger renovations—he’s in construction—but he’s still in building season.”

“So maybe over the winter, weather allowing?”

“Maybe. If we sectioned off some of the rooms while renting others, it could work since the winter is less busy anyway. But the main rooms downstairs? I don’t see how to get that done without closing. The outside is tricky too. No one wants to pull up to scaffolds on their romantic getaway.”

When he said the word “romantic,” our eyes met. And for the first time, something in his look set off alarm bells. And fluttering in my stomach. I wanted to look away but found it impossible. He was so damn sexy.

When his jaw flexed, I could tell Mason was annoyed, probably with himself for showing any kind of interest in me.

“Hey, oops, sorry.” Beck leaned against the doorframe. “Didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”

“You’re not interrupting anything,” Mason said, his tone annoyed. “We’re touring the property.”

“Uh huh, okay.” He put up his hands as if giving himself up.

Beck was one of the only people who had more animated hand gestures than me.

“I think it’s really incredible, what you’re doing,” I said, my meaning clear. He was dusty as hell and actually had a cobweb in his hair.

“You realize I heard that as, ‘You are incredible,’ right?”

“Ugh,” I asked Mason, “is he always this impossible?”

His answer was automatic. “Always.”

“Now that we’ve established I’m pretty incredible and impossibly magnetic?—”

“That’s not what I said.”

“There’s a lot of shit down there. Cole and I are putting it in good, trash, and ‘ask Mason’ piles. Does that work?”

“Sure,” he said. “I’ll come down after I get Pia settled.”

Beck’s grin meant he was about to say something spicy. “Want me to get her settled for you?”

Mason looked pissed. “She is my employee, asshole. Keep it professional.”

The irony of that statement wasn’t lost on either Beck or me; we both laughed. But I stopped immediately as I turned back to Mason. He was not laughing. In fact, he looked even more off-put than the first time we met.

“Good luck with that one,” Beck said, walking away.

“It’s okay,” I assured Mason. “I don’t offend easily and can handle him. Honestly, it’s no big deal.”

“You shouldn’t have to handle Beck. I’ll talk to him later. I don’t know how long he’s staying but he won’t make you uncomfortable in the meantime.”

“I’m not uncomfortable at all,” I reassured him. “Seriously.”

Mason looked like he was going to argue. Instead, he nodded toward the door. “Come on, I’ll take you to your office.”

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