Page 35 of Single-Minded
When I recognized West, my body reacted accordingly, as it did every time, against my better judgment. I apparently couldn’t think my woman bits out of their attraction to that man.
I’d left the main door unlocked since we were right here, and West came inside, dripping with water and sex appeal.
Dammit though.
“Hello,” I said, a question in my tone.
“Hey, ladies. I saw the lights on over here when I came out of the town hall.” He shook water off his hands, then unzipped his contractor portfolio and took out an official-looking paper.
“The permit,” I said excitedly.
“Sybil came through.” He took out a roll of tape, went to the window next to the door, and posted the permit.
“So we can start?” I asked.
“I’ll be here tomorrow evening.” He looked over at Rowan. “Sam’s staying with my girls,” he said of her teenage stepdaughter who’d started a babysitting company with a friend. “Tell her to fuel up good. She’ll need the energy.” He grinned.
“She’ll do better than I would,” Rowan said, laughing and rubbing her belly again. “Thanks for hiring her. She seems to be thriving with this business and the way it’s taking off. They’re up to five sitters now.”
“It’s a lifesaver,” West said. “We love Allie, but I can’t have her working fifty hours a week.”
“We love it too,” Chloe said.
As Rowan and Chloe discussed Sam’s business adventures, West closed his portfolio and turned to me. He flicked his gaze over my casual T-shirt dress, down to my boho slingback sandals. “Yet another pair of shoes,” he said quietly, with what felt like a private half grin.
“You like ’em?” I asked flippantly, keeping my volume down as well. I took in the wetness of his black Dawson Construction tee and the way it clung to his solid chest.
He didn’t answer, but I could swear heat flared in his eyes for a second before he glanced away.
“What are your plans tomorrow?” he asked, seeming to flip into business mode.
“I’m at your beck and call.” The words came out flirtier than I intended. Oops. I needed to reel it in. I knew this, but it popped out before I could stop it.
He hesitated for the slightest instant, as if deciding what to say to that, then glanced at Rowan and Chloe. “I’m hoping to have the drywall delivered, but someone has to be here to let them in.”
“I can be here whenever.”
He checked his watch. “I’ll see if I can catch Wayne tonight and arrange it. I gotta get home to my girls.”
“Thanks for bringing the permit over,” I said as we walked to the door.
“Later, ladies,” he said to Rowan and Chloe, who responded in kind. To me, he said, “I’ll let you know about the delivery.”
He went back out into the rain, and I forced myself not to watch him walk away.
“Well, that was interesting,” Chloe said.
I headed to the table, trying to act like that simple exchange hadn’t had any effect on me whatsoever.
“That’s what I’m thinking,” Rowan said.
“What was interesting?” I asked, playing dumb as I sat.
“The tension between you two was practically making the air crackle,” Chloe said.
I gave her a look that said there was no tension, and she was crazy.
“Are you and West…” Rowan started.
