Page 20 of The Best Wrong Move

“What? You didn’t have to fire Phil!” I feel responsible, even though I did nothing wrong. “And you did it while he’s at his niece’s wedding? That’s awful.”

“No, I didn’t fire Phil,” he clarifies. “I fired Phil’s new assistant, the one who made the mistake.”

“Oh.” I still feel racked with guilt.

“He let me know that this building is a new acquisition of mine, priced well to drum up business and keep it filled while he gets some of these little odds and ends fixed up. So, I’m sorry, there’s a few maintenance items to be done.”

“Like adding window blinds?” I ask, smiling lightly.

“That, and some other things. Like the front door sticking.” He gives me the same mischievous grin that made my toes curl yesterday. I bite my lip as he goes on. “The listing mentioned the cheaper price was due to some improvements needing to be made.”

I chide myself for not reading the fine print before booking. I picked it so fast that I didn’t even notice it was a shared townhouse,andin need of minor repairs. This whole situation keeps getting worse, but at least it’s led me to sitting here with this Greek God in my living room.

“I didn’t see that in the description.” I flop back against the couch cushions again. “I’ve been trying to stay off my phone as much as possible. The internet in general. It’s not really mythinglately.”

His face softens.

“I get that.” He reaches out to pat my knee. It’s innocent enough, but it sends a jolt of electricity through me just the same. Even sitting, his limbs take up about a third of the tiny room. “If you’re really desperate, I suppose I could let you go.”

A pathetic bubble of hope pools up inside me.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, before looking away. I should be happy to hear that, but my mind immediately spins with the idea of going back to New York.

As much as I’d fought to get out of this, I’m suddenly feeling stubborn about riding it out. There’s no way Rex wins here, especially now that I see he’s already moved on to someone new. I came here with a purpose. I just need to think about how to make this work without bringing myself down.

“I already checked to see if I could place you elsewhere, but all my other rentals are booked solid for the next eight weeks. I could refund your fees though, if you decide to stay.”

My eyes shoot to his.

A free stay? That sounds far too generous.

“That’s too much. I can’t stay for eight weeks for free.”

“Consider it my ploy to get a better review, considering there’s still some work to be done.”

Can I really turn down a free two-month stay? Even with Rex next door? I don’t think I can. Sure, it’s ridiculously generous, but it would also be an amazing gift, while allowing me the time to get the script done and let everything simmer down back at the station.

“Either way, I’m happy to install these as fast as I can to give you some privacy from . . .thatwhile you decide.” He pauses, throwing a thumb toward the shared wall. “Did you know he was already in a new relationship?”

“Nope.” My voice wavers. “And definitely not with a woman like that.”

“Nah, you’re way cuter than her,” he says absent-mindedly, as he examines an ancient-looking hammer before exchanging it out for a drill. They could pass for children’s toys in his enormous hands.

I crack a half-smile, though I don’t necessarily believe him. Juju is the very definition of attractive.

“I can’t believe we talked on the phone right after you helped me get the front door open. When did you figure out that it was me calling you?”

The corners of his lips turn up slightly, like he’s been caught. I watch him lick his lips before continuing.

“Toward the end of our call,” he admits. “When you finally read me the address of your reservation.” He gives me a cocky grin. “Why else do you think I ran over here with a stack of window blinds first thing this morning?”

I feel myself redden. “Well, I’m glad you did.”

“Do you have any plans for later?” Dom lifts another long shade out of its box. The question catches me off guard. “You need to get out of here if you’re going to enjoy yourself.” He pulls out a tape measure and gets to work again. I’m definitely enjoying this whole hot handyman thing he’s got going on. I sit back to watch him manhandling his tools.

“Other than shutting off all the lights so no one can see me sit on this couch while I spy on my ex and his hot new girlfriend?” I grin at him, knowing full well how ridiculously serious I am about my plan for later.

Dom sets the tools down, not bothering to hide his amusement. His eyes crinkle at the edges, but he doesn’t break into a full-blown smile just yet. “You’renotspending your evening sitting here alone in the dark, watching your ex outside with that woman.Juju.” He whispers her name like it’s a cuss word and we both stifle a laugh.

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