Page 50 of V is for Valentine
“I’m able to take care of myself, as I have demonstrated time and again.”
She gave him a look which clearly indicated that she could recall times when he’d failed in that regard.
“For the most part,” he amended. “Unless tool sheds are not involved.” He pulled in a breath. “What now? Do we work as far away from each other as possible again, to avoid temptation?”
“I can withstand the temptation that is you.”
“Experience tells me otherwise.”
Her mouth tightened ominously as she took hold of the front of his denim work shirt with the hand that didn’t hold a giant coffee mug, lightly twisting the fabric and pulling him half a step closer. “I’m not going to spend the last week on this jobsite avoiding you.”
He glanced down to where her hand was tangled in his shirt. “Well demonstrated.”
Her lips curved up into an unapologetic smile. “No kissing on the jobsite.”
“But we can mangle shirts?” he asked in a low growl.
She released her hold. “There’ll be no more of that on the jobsite either.”
“Actually, it’s not that bad,” he said as he smoothed the wrinkles.
She gave him a smirk as she stepped back. “We understand each other, right?”
Not even close.
Whatheunderstood was that he had seven days to convince Felicity that at the very least, they needed to remain in contact. That this wasn’t a moment out of time. It was their time.
The muffled sound of a car engine caught their attention, and they turned simultaneously toward the door.
“Your sisters are early,” Danny said.
“And they’ll be watching us.”
“Gr-reat.” He reached for his tool belt, hanging on the nail behind her. “So where do you want me to start?”
“Where you left off.”
“There’s a possibility that we will be working in the boardroom together.” Something she had avoided the day before.
“I told you I wasn’t going to avoid you. Besides,” she lifted her chin in an exaggerated way, “I can take it if you can.”
“Guess we’ll see about that.” He buckled on the belt as the front doors opened.
“Morning, all,” Stevie said, pulling off her knit cap as she came inside.
“Morning,” Tess echoed, following Stevie inside.
“No Neville?” Felicity asked as the door shut behind her sisters.
“Jason got back late last night, so I dropped Nev at his house.”
“I bet the little guy is overjoyed,” Felicity said.
“I believe he is now warming Jason’s feet.”
Danny passed the donut box and both sisters dove in.
“Thank you,” Stevie said, holding up a maple bar. “I didn’t have time for breakfast. By the way,” she said to Felicity, “I have Friday off. Teacher conferences and the teacher I’m subbing for will be there. I can paint Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”
