Page 6 of Only One I Ever Wanted

“Yeah. I remember that red dress.” He was unscrewing something in the guts of the dishwasher. “Thought Booker was going to swallow his tongue.”

I huffed out a laugh. I’d lost my virginity that night. Even in the limo, we hadn’t been able to keep our hands off each other. “You went with Tina, didn’t you?”

“Sure did. Well, for part of the night. She broke up with me during the middle somewhere. Thought Randall Wheeler was a better steppingstone.” He gave a mirthless laugh. “She goes by Christina these days. Full name only. Married Randall a few months after graduation. They have three kids and a dog and live on Steward Place.”

I whistled. “Quite the glow-up.”

“Randall’s dad gave him a job. They seem happy enough.”

“Happy enough?”

He grunted as he dug out a roll of paper towels from his big box of tools. He ripped off a few sheets and a startling handful of goop dropped on top.

“Oh, gross.”

He laughed. “Don’t think this filter has been cleaned since...ever.” He stood and washed his hands. Took something else out of his box and hooked a hose to the sink faucet then cleared out the rest. “This just makes for not so clean dishes. Now I gotta find what’s broken that is backing it up.”

“How’d you learn this stuff?”

“My dad. He was mostly construction, but I ended up helping with odd jobs he didn’t want to deal with. I got good at them, then I got certified for a few things—air conditioning, heating, and a few others so I could expand the business. He’s mostly retired now.”

“Wow. Really?”

“Yeah, he hurt his back on the job. Forced retirement is more like it. Even if he tries to push his way onto jobs with me when it gets busy.”

“That sounds more like it. Your dad was the worst at sitting down unless he was watching a game.”

He laughed. “Not much changed since you went to California.” He swore under his breath. “I was hoping it wouldn’t require a part, but I have to order one.”

I sighed and hopped down on the mostly dry floor. “Guess I’m washing by hand for a while.”

He lifted the rack full of dishes and a good deal of muscle flexed under his black T-shirt before he settled it into the track.

Why on earth are you looking at him?

I averted my eyes, but not before he caught me.

Was my face red?

Hell.

“I’ll write up a bill for your landlord and order the part.”

“Great. Thanks.”

He crossed to me and pulled out a card, then he flipped it over. “Business line on the front and my cell is on the back if you need anything. This is an old house.”

“Right.” The punch of cedar always got me and made me want to lean in. Even back then.God, Nora, get a grip.I took the card. “How long you think?” I tipped my head up. I was a bit over average in height for a woman, but Sully had always made me feel small.

“Few days. I’ll be in touch.” He moved back and picked up the ShopVac. “Was good to see you, Nora.”

“Yeah. You too.”

“C’mon, Danny!” he called out.

A few seconds later, the kid appeared in the doorway with his Switch tucked under his arm. He looked down at the floor, then tentatively he took a step forward.

Surprised that he’d be so hesitant, I glanced at Sully. He had a sober expression on his face, his dark eyes watchful.

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