Page 4 of Nailed

At lunch, I’d said that aside from just picking something and going to vocational school for it, the best way to choose was to keep talking to people in the homebuilding industry.

“Well, I think it’s kind of a sign that I saw you, because last night I was looking at the conference program online and found out they sell standby day passes for Saturday and Sunday. I was thinking maybe I should go.”

“Oh!” My fingers finally brushed the cord I’d been looking for, and I tugged at it to get it out. I frowned. “Sam, that’s kind of far to go when you’re not guaranteed a ticket.”

“Yeah, I know. But it’s the biggest building conference in the Northeast, and won’t happen again until next year. Besides, I hear the party is a blast.”

I smiled. “It does have a reputation.” The conference was always held at the beginning of December and featured a giant holiday social on Saturday night where sometimes things got a little… lively. “But tickets for the party sold out weeks ago.”

“Honestly, I’m most interested in Jamie’s keynote. And your talk, too, of course.”

I’d finally untangled my cord from the items in my suitcase, but not before it had pulled a big swath of thick flannel with it. For a moment, my stomach flipped.

I glanced at Sam.

But that was ridiculous. He wouldn’t be able to tell it was a man’s shirt. And he wouldn’t know whose it was if he could.

“I’ve heard Jamie’s talks are incredible,” Sam said.

“Yes.” I tried to keep the bitterness from my tone as I stuffed the flannel back inside and zipped my suitcase shut. Jamie’s talks were incredible, unfortunately. Jamie wasn’t just a titan in the homebuilding industry—he had a captivating presence on stage.

Before I started working for him, I’d been a Jamie Reilly super-fan, just like Sam. I’d stayed that way through the first few months of my employment, too.

And more.

Until he suddenly went cold. I thought it was something I’d done, but the Rolling Hills renovation was ahead of schedule and under budget.

Cora had noticed his behavior, too. “Maybe it’s because of Gary?”

Around that time, Jamie had to let go of one of his longtime employees. It hit him hard; we all knew that.

“Maybe.”

Or maybe he’d just decided he didn’t like me.

Either way, he’d only invited me to present at the conference because his son Seamus had bowed out.

And pity-support wasn’t good enough for me.

I slammed the trunk of my car.

“My talks aren’t half bad, either,” I said to Sam as I trudged around to the driver’s side.

“Oh yeah. I’d be super interested to see yours, too!” Sam said quickly.

I laughed, wiping the last of Jamie Reilly from my mind like snow off my windshield. “I’m teasing. It would be nice to have a friendly face there, even if you’ll be outnumbered by women.” My talk was calledWomen Belong in Trades.

“I can think of worse things.” Sam grinned.

“Well, if you’re really keen on going, you won’t be able to stay at the hotel. During the conference, it’s a lost cause.”

“There are some motels nearby.”

So he’d done his research. I wondered if he had a bag already packed in his truck.

“Besides, after the Peace Corps, I can sleep pretty much anywhere.” He cleared his throat. “Well, uh, if I go, would you maybe want to go with me?”

I blinked. “Oh.”

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