I walk into the equipment room and over to the sink, where a steady stream of water is pouring out. I twist it shut. You’d think with three pairs of strong hands turning it off multiple times a day it would stop, but it keeps turning itself on. Juni thinks it’s a poltergeist, but I don’t believe in the supernatural. My mom used to say I have the best business head out of all of us. Ghosts and things that go bump into the night aren’t a part of my world.
I grab my laptop from the shelf and balance it on the bench I’m using as a temporary desk. We’re running out of room here, as when Juni’s at reception there isn’t enough space for another person, especially if a client is there too. We did have an office upstairs, but that’s being used as storage for the food delivery business until Cole and Alyssa can find a new space.
We’ve received an offer from a business development firm to open up another gym in Everburn, which is a bigger town fifty miles to the west of here. It looks like a great opportunity, but it would mean at least one of us moving there while it got up and running. I don’t know anything about the town, so I make a mental note to speak to Kade about it. And I’ll need to go take a look at the space, and then talk to Cole and Ivar about it. I run my hand through my hair and stare down at my emails.
There’s a dripping noise. Shit. That damn tap. I don’t need plumbing emergencies while I’m trying to concentrate on the business. I walk over, grip it as hard as I can and wrench it closed, almost pulling off the tap in the process.
“That’s not gonna work…”
I whip my head round and Olivia’s standing right there behind me. Close enough that I can smell her daisy-scented perfume. Despite myself, my dick hardens instantly, even though the voice in my head is telling me over and over she’s out of bounds, she’s Kade’s baby sister and way too young for me.
“Let me guess. Barbie taught you how to deal with plumbing emergencies.” I raise my eyebrows.
She laughs. “No. My step-dad is a plumber. I picked some stuff up. I was planning on going to college to get qualified before…uh…before I came here. Anyway, I bet it’s the washer. If you have a home improvement store nearby, I can save you the cost of a call out. We need to turn the water off first though.”
I stare at her. She’s so small, but with that cascading blonde hair and her generous curves, I just want to scoop her up and kiss her. Instead, we’re talking about plumbing. It makes me like her even more; who knows what surprises she’s hiding?
I clear my throat. “Yeah there’s one across the street. Shall we talk about the job while we pick up the replacement washer?”
“Sure. I’ll just grab my coat.” She turns around and walks into the main gym. I take a moment to compose myself, then follow her. I can feel Ivar’s eyes on me as we walk back through, but I don’t make eye contact.
Once we’re in the store, Olivia asks sensible questions to the guy behind the counter while I stand there like an idiot. When we’re back at the gym, right in front of the sink, she looks over at me. “Shouldn’t you be interviewing me?”
I smile. “I think you’ve got the job, whether you fix the tap or not.”
She laughs as she dismantles the tap. “That’s a relief. Are you still into scary movies?”
“Sure. I like the comedy horror ones though - stuff likeScream. I’m not really aSawkind of guy.” I watch in admiration as she replaces the washer, her small hands deft and quick.
“Yeah, same. I get nightmares if it’s too gory. I like light-hearted stuff.” She looks up at me and I find it hard not to gawp at her.
Ivar walks in just as Olivia finishes fixing the tap. His eyebrows shoot up. “Olivia! I knew it was you. I remember you from back in AZ. Have you come to visit with Kade?” That’s my brother, a total charmer who never forgets a face.
Olivia smiles as she washes off her hands in our newly fixed sink. “Hey Ivar, yep. I’m staying in Darlinton for a while. And I’m hoping to be working here part time too.”
“Yes! Awesome news. Although Juni is arealstickler for how her spreadsheets are filled in. Just to warn you. Her bark is worse than her bite, though.” Ivar grabs a couple of weights, smiles back at Olivia and walks out.
I feel like I’m on the back foot. “Thanks, Olivia. Can you start tomorrow?”
She looks up at me and I realize I’m inbigtrouble. Her eyes are a crystal clear blue, fringed by long lashes.
“Sure.”
ChapterThree
OLIVIA
My cell screen lights up, illuminating the ceiling. I’d forgotten to switch it to night mode. I’m in Kade and Sally’s guest room. It’s more like a cupboard, since they converted their old guest room into a nursery for my twin nieces.
I wasn’t asleep anyway. I’d been lying here trying to get the image of Aron’s broad shoulders, huge arms and strong legs out of my head so I could sleep. If I thought he was cute out on the street, encountering him in the gym in a T-shirt and shorts was mind blowing. I have a mixture of excitement in the pit of my stomach and nervousness at the thought of seeing him tomorrow.
He seems so capable and in control. Good thing he doesn’t have a clue about plumbing. At least I got the opportunity to show off my skills. I put the pillow over my head. Like he would be impressed by my plumbing skills. I sigh and emerge from under the pillow, fumbling on the nightstand for my phone.
You fucking bitch. Don’t think you’ve got away. I’m going to find you and I WILL FUCK YOU UP.
I sit up quickly, my heart racing. He’d gone quiet and I’d slipped away, out here to Darlinton. A fresh start, far from him and all his drama.
But Adrian won’t let me get away so easily. I just pray that he leaves my family alone. At least Mom has Brian to protect her. As an ex-military man who became a plumber when he retired, Brian is no slouch in the security department. I hope that’s enough.
