Page 20 of Built to Last
“I mean, I’m always in pain but the intensity can change from day to day depending on things like my level of physical activity and even the weather.”Always in pain. I try to imagine what that might feel like but can’t wrap my head around it.
“That… that must be incredibly frustrating.” She shrugs one shoulder.
“I’d be lying if I said there aren’t days I get pissed off when I find something difficult or need to ask for help.” Her posture stiffens defensively. “I don’t want you feeling sorry for me though. This is all normal for me and I’m perfectly capable of pulling my weight here.”
“I don’t feel sorry for you but I do have empathy for you. As far as the project’s concerned, there’s no doubt in my mind that you’re more than capable.” Her shoulders relax and I smile. “Now that I’ve not reacted like an arsehole, can we agree that going forward you’ll pace yourself however you need to and you’ll let me know if there’s anything I can do to help? Not because you need my help,” I rush to add, “but because we’re friends. Or colleagues at least.” My cheeks heat and I wonder how long it will be before I stop acting like a bumbling idiot around Rose. I’ve not blushed this much since I was a teenager.
“I can agree to that.” She dips her head in acknowledgement, setting her empty mug down on the light-oak coffee table. “And at this point I think we can agree we’re colleaguesandfriends.” The smile she gives me lights up her whole face, stealing the breath from my lungs. I was right. A real smile from Rose is a life-changing experience. I’ll do whatever I can to make her smile like that again.
“It’s settled then. I’ll move a chair into the workshop for you and you’ll take breaks whenever you need them. I’m not going to judge you for doing what you need to manage your condition. You can come sit out here when you need to rest. Stretch, lie down, whatever.” I tell her.
“I will.” She nods. “Just don’t start hovering over me or wewillhave a problem.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I reply with a grin, hands raised in surrender.
“OK then.” She nods.
It’s going to take a lot more than one conversation for Rose to feel comfortable enough with me to let her guard down, but we’ve made more progress today than I’d dared to hope for. While I’m eager to learn more about her, I won’t push my luck when she’s already shared something so personal.
“Why don’t we call it a day for now? There’s nothing else you can do until I’ve cut the boards and it’s not like you need to sit and watch me do that. I promise it will get boring, fast. Let me drive you home. Not because you need me to,” I hurry to add when she opens her mouth to argue. “Because I want to give my friend a lift.”
“You’re incorrigible.” She sighs. “But a lift home would be great, thank you.”
My chest swells with victory at her agreement. It might have taken some convincing, but Rose is finally starting to open up.
Chapter Twelve
Rose
It’sobvious Phillip was hard at work after dropping me home yesterday. He’s already cut two of the panels and will be moving on to the next two today, but first we’re having a quick video call with Aria to update her on our progress.
As promised, Phillip has moved one of his dining chairs out to the workshop for me and I hop up to hold the door open for him as he brings in another one for himself. We decided to call Aria from out here instead of the living room so she could actually see how we’re doing so far.
“Get over here, she won’t be able to see you unless we’re closer together,” I tell Phillip, waving him towards me. I think he’s trying to be respectful of my space after yesterday’s accidental boob-graze but the camera on my tablet won’t pick up both of us when we’re this far apart. He obediently scoots his chair closer to mine and I immediately regret suggesting he move closer when a wave of his addictive pine and mint scent hits me. What is that? Is it his shower gel or something uniquelyPhillip?
“Ready?” he asks and I realise I’ve been caught staring. Cheeks heating, I avoid his gaze and make the call.
“Hi!” Aria greets us both enthusiastically. “How’s it going over there?”
“It’s going?—”
“Phillip’s already?—”
“Oh, sorry. You go,” he says.
“No, you should start. You’ve done most of the work so far.” I motion for him to continue.
“That’s not true, you helped a lot yesterday.” He twists to face me, the movement pushing his muscular thigh into mine. My heart skips a beat but Phillip doesn’t seem to notice the contact at all. The man is totally unaffected by me. I blame Aria for putting the thought into my head that he might feel differently. Now I’m getting flustered by a few accidental touches while Phillip’s completely unruffled. At least he seems oblivious to the effect he has on me, thank God. “If it wasn’t for you, it would have taken me all day to do all four outlines. No way would I have had the chance to cut anything yet,” he assures me softly, expression earnest.
Aria clears her throat pointedly and I jump, having forgotten she was there. Unsure of when I lowered it in the first place, I lift the tablet back up to face-height so she can see both of us again.
“It sounds like you’ve made some progress then?” Aria prompts, tone threaded with amusement. So glad she’s finding this funny. I look to Phillip indicating he should be the one to fill her in. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat before diving in. There’s not much to tell just yet, so after he’s provided a quick update, we stand up and I flip the camera to show Aria the wall behind us where the two panels Phillip has already cut are leaning.
“Are those the first two pieces?”
“Yeah, I’ll get the other two cut today, then I can start putting everything together.”
“Sounds great. We’ll do another call to check in soon but I’ll leave you to it for now.”
