This project will likely take months. With nowhere else to go, I’ll be living here during every step of the remodel. Crushing on my architect is not something I expected. And it's not something I should be feeling. I’m still mourning my husband. Surely, I’ll get over it once we settle into a routine.
In the meantime, I don’t guess it’ll hurt to allow myself to fantasize about him. Maybe that will take my mind off how much my real life is anything but ideal.
CHAPTER 3
ADAM
Cold air cuts through me as I run from my truck to the entrance of Sweet Cakes. Another cold front moved in last night, threatening to dump more snow on our small town. If this weather continues, it’ll be a long, hard wait for summer.
Ricky’s waiting for me at the front counter with an extra coffee in hand. I pull my work gloves off and wrap my hands around it. The sharp contrast between my frozen fingers and the heat seeping through the paper cup make my hands itch. One sip, and I instantly feel better. “Thanks, man. I needed this.”
Ricky raises his brows. “You ready for this meeting? You look nervous.”
“I’m ready.” I run my fingers through my hair and yawn. The past two weeks have been hectic. I promised Camille the estimate a week ago, but I missed that deadline. I hate postponing projects, especially estimates, but I didn’t have a choice.
The job I’m hoping to win from a former Chicago client, Craig Armstrong, unexpectedly took me out of town for several days. I thought I had at least another week before I’d hear from him.He’s not the type of client I can push off. I had to say yes when he called or risk losing the job.
I rub my hands down my face and yawn. “Just tired. Craig is running me through the ringer. It’s exhausting.”
“Any word on when he’ll make a decision?”
“Knowing my luck, never. One minute he’s acting like everything is on fire and we’re behind schedule, and the next he’s dragging this thing out like we have all the time in the world. He’s driving me crazy.” Which is true, but it isn’t the reason I’m tired. I can’t tell Ricky I couldn’t sleep last night because I’m anxious to see Camille again.
That woman affects me in ways I don’t want to acknowledge. There’s chemistry between us, and it draws me to her. But it’s more than that. She’s friendly and funny, but she’s hiding something beneath her smile. I catch the occasional glimpse of sadness in her eyes when she lets her smile slip. There’s a secret there—I’m sure of it—and she protects it like a precious gem. “Do you have everything you need to refine your estimate?”
“Yep, got it all right here.” Ricky lifts his bag sitting next to his stool. Electrical upgrades aren’t my area of expertise. I know enough to give ballpark estimates, but I need Ricky to tighten the numbers.
“Good.” I run my fingers through my hair again and sigh. Camille said she had the money, but I can’t stop worrying that she’s not going to be happy about the estimate. I tried like hell to bring the numbers down, but the amount of work she’s asking for is not only extensive, but also expensive. She says she knows that, but every client does. Yet they’re always shocked when I give them the quotes.
“Man, what’s wrong with you?” Ricky looks at me with concern.
“I told you, I’m tired.” I slump in my stool and wave at Rachel.
“Nah, not buying it.” He narrows his gaze. “Is she that awful?”
“Is who that awful?”
“The woman who bought the chalet.”
“Camille?” I shake my head, avoiding his stare. “No, she’s nice enough.”
A knowing grin spreads across his face. “You like her, don’t you?”
“Who?” I shoot a sideways glance at Ricky. I don’t like where he’s going with this.
“Oh, don’t play dumb with me.” He looks down his nose at me. I damn well know what he’s talking about, but I don’t want to admit it. “Camille. You like her.”
“Please. I don’t know anything about her.” Which is true. Yes, I thought about her at least once a day since we met, and I’m more excited to see her again than I should be. But the truth remains. I don’t know enough about her to say I like her. At least not in the way Ricky is referring to. I’m interested in learning more. That’s it.
“Attraction doesn’t require a deep understanding of a person.” He laughs, and I grunt.
Thankfully, Rachel walks over and saves me from having to respond to his remark. “Did you need something else?”
“A half dozen of your chocolate croissants, please?” I say as I toss some cash on the counter to cover the bill plus a little extra for all the freebies she keeps tossing my way. I remember what Camille said about chocolate croissants. And I feel no shame in using them as a way to earn her favor.
“Sure thing, hon.” She smiles and takes the cash I laid out for her. I peer at Ricky out of the corner of my eye and catch him staring at me with a suspicious scowl.
“What?” I say a little too harshly.
