Page 11 of V is for Valentine
“I am not.”
“Who’s the redhead?”
That was an interesting question, or rather, it was interesting that Felicity asked the question.
“Business associate.”
This was the perfect opening to fess up about Sandra’s role in Pete’s accident, but in the name of efficiency, it seemed better to do that at the end of their shift.
“Ah.” There was a curious note of satisfaction in her voice. “What business are you in? Dad didn’t know. He just said that he’d heard you were starting something up a while ago.”
“Computer repair. Right now my part-time assistant is full time. Clara appreciates the extra hours, so this is working out for everyone.” In truth, Clara enjoyed the business more than he did.
“Excellent.” She gave a little grunt as she manhandled a sheet of drywall off the stack and onto the hydraulic lift.
He watched surreptitiously as she raised the sheet until it butted the ceiling, then fastened it into place, using the drill with casual efficiency. She knew exactly what she was doing. As did he, who did not have a lift.
Danny heard her setting more screws as he measured four feet down from the ceiling, then mounted a two-by-four scrap horizontally on the uprights to use as a sill. Once done, he lifted the drywall sheet from the stack and set the bottom on the support before tipping the entire sheet into place. It scraped neatly past the ceiling, and he then put in two screws to hold it in place. The sheets were heavy, and Felicity was going to get a workout, but who was he to tell the boss what to do?
When he glanced toward the other end of the room, Felicity was finishing with the screws, only her legs visible from beneath the drywall. Soon he wouldn’t be able to see her.
And maybe that was best for his concentration.
Chapter Three
Ais forAwesome.
Felicity felt hamstrung by Danny’s awesomeness, because despite his assertion that he was doing this for her dad, she was also in his debt and that was not a comfortable place for her. Felicity preferred to owe no one. Life was simpler that way, but realistically, there came times when a person simply had to depend on others. Be in debt to others. This was one of those times.
She would make it through, swallow retorts, and generally be professional.
So far, you’re pretty much failing at that.
No kidding.
Danny had been dead-on about the two of them acting as if they were twelve. Or five. Or sixteen.
Actually, Danny had taken a hiatus from their running war after her mom died during their sophomore year in high school, but she hadn’t been able to handle the change…so she’d soaped up his car windows and the war was back on. It had felt strangely comforting to have a nemesis back in her life.
Yes. Sniping with Danny was comfortable.
Why was that more comfortable than peace?
Felicity was beginning to hate her little voice and its nagging questions.
She poked her head out from behind the sheet of drywall she’d just fastened into place, and could just make out the print on the back of his Awesome shirt.Holly Elementary Literacy Hero.
“You read to kids?” she asked.
“The school recruits people from the community and local businesses to read to students on Fridays,” he said without looking her way. “My company has the computer repair contract for the school district, so I take part.”
“Nice,” she said approvingly. “I wish I had time for volunteer work. I guess Stevie fills that niche in the family.”
“The trick,” Danny said as he turned back to her, “is to make time.”
“You have no idea what my schedule is like. Not a moment to spare.”
“Why is it like that?”
