Page 43 of Comeback
That gives her a few months, but it’s going to take every bit of it and then some. God, no wonder she had an asthma attack.I’ve only been in here a few minutes, and I feel like I’ve inhaled a year’s worth of dust.
“Do you already have a contractor?” I ask.
“It’s not that much work. My dad is handy, and I liked to help him when I was little.”
“You’regoing to do all this yourself?”
She lifts one shoulder and shrugs. “I can’t afford to hire it out. The rent is a little cheaper than I budgeted, but I got a rough estimate for new flooring and installation and that alone takes up a good portion of the money I saved for improving the space.”
“Is it too late to get out of the lease?” I feel sick. Brogan isn’t going to just be upset I saw this place, he’s going to be pissed I let his sister walk into this place at night. I’m ninety-nine percent sure there’s a rotting dead corpse of some rat variety in here.
“I can do it,” she says again, lifting her chin slightly. “Just wait and see.”
13
SABRINA
Friday morning, I force myself to get up early, even though I’d like to sleep in for several more hours. We didn’t get home until late last night after our trip to the studio. After, I lay awake in bed for hours, thinking of Archer, replaying pieces of our conversation and the way it felt to have his stare on my lips all night.
When I get to the studio, I put on my respirator and gloves and start the gross task of cleaning the walls. I can’t stop thinking about Archer. I’ve been on actual dates that felt less intimate than talking with him at the bar.
I lift the respirator, resting it on top of my head, and bring a hand to my mouth as I get lost in my thoughts. The latex material on my hand tastes like dirt and cleaner.
“Yuck.” I drop my hand quickly and go over to grab my water bottle and drown the nasty taste.
The sun streams through the broken windows of the studio. I left the door open this morning to let in some fresh air. I also bought two air purifiers, and I rented a heavy-duty vacuum to finish cleaning the floors and walls. But there is still a lot to do toget this place cleaned up and I’ve accepted that I might have to break it up over several days or even weeks.
My AirPods are in, music playing, as I stare around the room, devising a plan. The floors are swept of all the big stuff, but there’s still a thick layer of dust and grime. Once I vacuum the cobwebs and dirt off the walls as well, I need to scrub the entire place from top to bottom.
It’s overwhelming, but one step at a time. I pull the respirator back down and drag the vacuum over to the far wall and get started.
In no time, my arms start to feel heavy and I’m sweating. I really need a ladder because even with the extension on the vacuum, I can only reach halfway up the wall.
Something catches the corner of my eye, and I glance over to the open doorway, then jump and squeak in surprise.
Archer’s lips pull into a smirk as I fumble to turn off the vacuum and remove my AirPods and respirator.
“Sorry if I startled you,” he says, walking into the studio. “But I did say your name a few times.”
His gaze roams over the space.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, moving in front of him like I’m trying to block him from seeing this place. I know he saw it last night, but it was dark. In the daylight, there’s no hiding just how much work it needs.
Then I remember the state ofme. I’m pretty sure my face is coated in the same dust and grime as behind me.
“I have the afternoon off and I thought I’d see if you wanted some help.”
“Help?”
“Cleaning.” He walks closer. He’s in jeans and a white T-shirt and his hair is covered with a white Mavericks cap. It really isn’t fair, him showing up here looking so good when I’m in old leggings and a baggy T-shirt.
His gaze drifts from my eyes to my mouth then he reaches up and runs his thumb along my cheek. My stomach flutters and my knees wobble. He’s seriously throwing me off. I can’t believe he’s here.
“I’m a mess,” I say. “Like everything else in here.”
“It’s not so bad.”
“Gee thanks,” I mutter.
