I rolled my head from side to side, struggling to relieve some of the tension gathered in my neck and shoulders. "Thank you for that suggestion, Gigi," I called. "I can't imagine why I hadn't thought ofthatyet."
She walked back and stopped beside me. "I can give you a roof garden proposal for the budget you indicated but it will be light on the garden," she said, waving at the deck's splintered floor and ricketyrailing.
"That's fine," I said. "And throw in a secondary proposal, too.Onewith—"
"All the bells and whistles," she finished. "I figured as much, with those fancy new gutters. Are we doing that now? Coppergutters?"
"They saw it on a home design show. They were damn expensive," I replied. "Cost more than the marblecountertops."
"What you're saying is that they can afford a decentroofdeck."
"That's what I'm saying," Ireplied.
Magnolia proceeded to measure and photograph the roof deck while I scrolled through my emails and text messages. I hadn't heard from Alex since Saturday night, and that left me with a pinch of longing. I'd meant to message her about getting to a Red Sox game, but avoiding a post-meeting chitchat with Matt and getting the fuck out of the office had been my main priorities this morning. Thankfully, the owners of this property had called with an urgent request for a roofgarden.
"Are you up for some Monday Night Football?" Her iPad was cradled in one arm and her attention focused on the screen. "If you feel like it, we could grab a beer after I put together this proposal." Then she added, "Peter's outoftown."
"Ah, Peter," I said. "How is thatoldchap?"
She glanced at me, jerking a shoulder in response. "He's fine," she murmured. Her tone was one of reassurance, but it wasn't clear which of us she was attempting to soothe. "Busy. He's usually on the road about ten days each month, but this month is really busy. He has some personal issues goingon,too."
I ran a hand through my hair and looked out over the city. "Personal issues," I said eventually. And then, because even if you disliked someone on principle, you asked after their well-being, "Iseverythingokay?"
Giving a shit about people. It was the only way to stay a step above the douche waffles of theworld.
"I'm not sure. I don't know all the details," she said quickly. I stifled a groan. That wasn't a good sign. "But he's really sweet.So sweet." She wagged a finger at me. "Andmature. I didn't realize how much I wanted to be with someone who's lived a little and sorted out hispriorities."
"Yeah, that's important," I said but there was no conviction behind it.Personal issuesandon the roadsounded a whole hell of a lot likewife or girlfriend in another city. "I hope everythingworksout."
"Peter's really responsible. I'm sure it will be fine," she said. Again, it wasn't clear which of us required the convincing. "Did you ever find anyone to go to the RISD eventwithyou?"
"Uh, yeah," I replied. "A friend of Nick's. She works at the hospital with him." My head snapped up. "And she'satwin."
Magnolia shot me an unimpressed glance. "That's great," she said. "I'll be sure to say hello to her at the next meeting of the MultipleBirthsClub."
"I didn't mean that all twins or triplets know each other," I said. "But you and Alex are the only onesIknow."
She shook her head as she laughed. "I have two more appointments this afternoon," she said, glancing at her phone. "Just text me if you're free tonight, and I'll meet you somewhere to watchthegame."
"I have another few hours at this site," I said, following her through the brownstone and down to the curb where her truck was parked. "If I can get this day back on track, I'll catch you later." I dipped my hands into my pockets. "I might also be busy with a few otherthings."
Nodding as she set her bag in the passenger seat, Magnolia said, "Don't worry about it. I can watch football alone or with people. It's one of my manytalents."
"Impressive," I said. "Thanks for dropping by at such shortnotice."
I waved goodbye when she hopped in her truck, and then retreated to the home. There were crews on every floor and not a single room without the noise of nail guns, saws, or sanders. It was fucking ridiculous. I'd never had clients who kept changing their damn minds—not to this extent—and it was teasing at the threads of mypatience.
I hated redoing good work and wasting the time and efforts of my tradespeople. Sure, it all went on the clients' tab but this sort of inefficiency was driving me nuts. It was particularly annoying because I'd proposed all of these upgrades and options back when I'd designed this restoration. The roof garden, the extra closet,everything.
I was beginning to understand Patrick's brand of anal retentive. If it was possible, I was embracing some ofit,too.
Instead of attacking my checklist for this property, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my exchanges with Alex. Being around her was like my favorite flannel pajama pants—easy and comfortable, and roomy enough for unexpected erections. I liked her, even if we couldn't decide whether we were running toward each otheroraway.
And when I was with Alex, I wasn't aching for Lauren. I didn't want to ache all the time. I didn't want to verbally backhand my brother in status meetings, and I didn't want to bemiserable.
I wasn't miserable when I was with Alex. Maybe it was time to capitalizeonthat.
Riley:Saturday night. You, me,FenwayPark.
