Page 22 of The Sexy Part
She doesn’t drink. That would’ve been a nice touch.
“I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if you stayed with them for a while,” I say. “Keeps them from bickering too much.”
“I’ll ask. Of course I’d pay rent and utilities.”
“I doubt they’ll charge you rent. The house is paid off. They’re just covering utilities and food.”
“And property taxes too, I’m sure. I’ll give what I can and clean the litterbox.”
I laugh. “You don’t have to clean the litterbox.”
“It’s the least I can do. Besides, Felix is my new best bud.”
“I thought I was your new best bud.”
She flashes an impish smile. “I haven’t heard you purr.”
I do my best approximation of a purr. She strokes my hair like she’s petting me and quickly drops her hand.
Her eyes meet mine and shift away. “Almost as soft as Felix.”
I bite back the many pussycat references on the tip of my tongue.
She lets out a shaky breath. “Is it weird I feel sorta free right now? Like I’m getting an unexpected fresh start. It’s terrifying but also exhilarating.”
“I’m liking the optimism creeping in. I knew you had grit.”
She cocks her head. “I guess I do. If only I had better instincts for people.”
“Your instincts are just fine.” I lean across the table and lower my voice to a husky tone. “You’re here with me, aren’t you?”
She flushes. “It’s too bad I didn’t meet you before Dave. You seem like the kind of guy I should’ve been with. Now it’s too late.”
“Why is it too late?”
“Because I never want another relationship ever.”
“Never ever?”
She swats my arm. “Don’t tease. I’m serious. My heart is shattered into tiny sharp pieces that stab me every time I breathe.”
“Then you’re in luck. I’m not only a bartender and cook, I’m a handyman. I can fix it.”
She shakes her head. “It’s too far gone.”
I lean forward. “Rowan, I can fix your heart.” Her breath hitches. This is definitely not one sided.
She looks down, tracing a circle on the table.
I go for casual to put her at ease. “Proof of my handyman skills is in Mackenzie and Harper’s house. When Shayla first bought the house, I was the one who went through and fixed anything that needed fixing, installed closet organizers, and helped assemble furniture.”
She meets my eyes. “Living up to your handyman title. And that was so nice of you to do.”
“They paid me with a thank you. My brother, Finn, got paid big bucks to paint the interior. What’s that about?”
She cocks her head. “That’s strange.”
“Nah, it was actually a funny situation. They were originally paying him so he could earn money for a car, but then he developed this ridiculous crush on Olivia, Shayla’s assistant, who, by the way, is four years older than him. Finn’s still in college. Anyway, Olivia found it disturbing that Finn was crushing on her, so she got Shayla to pay him triple overtime to finish the job faster.”
