Page 4 of Built to Last

“Yes. One doesn’t say no to royalty. I was hesitant to do another show like this, but Anika seems like she knows what she’s doing. She speaks so eloquently about her new country. Is she around? I’m supposed to meet with her this afternoon.” Reid checks his watch and his grin kicks up. “But I have an hour or so. There’s a café around the corner. Maybe you would like to join us for lunch and you can tell us all about the work you do for her?”

Yeah, I’m sure that’s what he wants to talk about. “Ani’s here. She wanted to run through the house with the renovation specialist.”

“Ah, then he’s here, too,” Reid says with a wince.

Jeremiah’s gaze goes between us like he’s watching a tennis match.

“I suppose so.” I want to see what I can get this guy to say. So I can get my bestie to fire his ass. We need a woman designer. If Ivy had a hint of style, I would tell her to do it. Honestly, I don’t understand why we need a designer at all, much less a jerk like this guy.

Reid looks like he’s contemplating keeping his mouth shut. And then chooses not to. “Any idea why she chose a firm that does high-rises and grocery stores? Is there some kind of familial connection I’m unaware of?”

Says the man who works with his brother. Hypocrite much. I merely shrug. “Ani’s been friends with the CEO of that firm for years. But I also know she’s got complete faith in them. Do you have a problem with high-rises and grocery stores?”

“I simply think the ones built by this particular firm lack something. Buildings like the ones Ross Construction builds don’t add a lot of value to a community, if you know what I mean. Not like this one,” Reid says with a smile as though he didn’t insult the hell out of an entire company.

“Reid,” Jeremiah begins.

“Really? There’s no value in a grocery store?” I ask.

Reid seems to finally understand I’m not hanging on his every word. “I meant to the beauty of the community. Not that grocery stores aren’t important. I simply wish we could make them nicer than the big boxes we see so much of today.”

“Yeah, well no one cares what the store looks like when they live in a food desert, but I suspect from the thousand-dollar loafers you have on that you wouldn’t even know what that phrase means,” I shoot back.

“Maybe you can explain it to me.” The man is optimistic.

“Reid, she’s not coming to lunch with us. I do not know what is up with your radar, but this woman does not like you,” Jeremiah says under his breath. “You should probably ask what her last name is.”

Reid gives his brother a what-the-hell look. “Why? We’re just having a discussion.”

“No, you’re flirting and she’s sending you looks that should have you running for your life, and I wonder why that is. I also wonder why she’s wearing steel-toed boots,” Jeremiah replies. “It’s almost like she works construction and you made an ass of yourself.”

I like the brother.

Reid turns back my way and has the grace to wince. “Uhm, Harper. Your last name wouldn’t happen to be Ross, would it?”

“Harper Regina Ross, and for your information I’ve studied renovations like this for years. It’s a hobby of mine. I also know the history of this house backward and forward, but I do construct grocery stores on occasion. I’ll have to remember to try to make the dairy section as pretty as possible next time. Wouldn’t want to outrage the designers, would I?” I start for the door because I know how to make an exit.

“Ms. Ross, maybe we should talk,” Reid begins.

“I like grocery stores,” Jeremiah calls out.

“Did I mention I would pay for the lunch?” Reid tries again. “Anything you like. It’s on me. Punish me with surf and turf?”

I simply keep walking.

I run straight into Ivy, who has two corn dogs in her hands and a smile on her face. “The twist is cheese, but you don’t know what kind. Also, some of them have ghost pepper in them but the dude forgot which ones, so it’s like corn dog roulette. Want one?”

“Sure, why not?” It can’t possibly be worse than learning my peaceful job is going to be ruined by an overly privileged dude in designer wear who I absolutely am not attracted to in any way.

Any way.

I follow Ivy down the hall but when I glance back, Reid’s there, his icy eyes watching me. Probably still plotting how to get rid of the construction worker in exchange for his high-minded friends who only work on mansions and museums.

“Hey, have you ever tried crab juice? This guy says he makes the best,” Ivy explains.

It’s going to be that kind of a day.

Chapter Two

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