After I handed Ford the contract last night, he'd stayed for a bit.We'd watched people sip their hot chocolates, admire the Christmas tree, and go in and out of shops.It was nice to spend time with someone I knew so well and not feel the need to fill the silence with chitchat.
I'd told myself I wouldn't have to spend much time with Ford, but we needed to discuss the design and pick fixtures and tile.We'd be working together closely the next few months.
At the inn, I walked upstairs to the top floor, following the sound of demolition to the vacant room next to mine.
I picked my way over tools and boxes to get to the bathroom.Ford was ripping out the vanity.The mirrors and lights were in the bedroom already."You don't waste any time."
He lifted the safety goggles to his head."You wanted it done quickly."
I looked around."Where's your crew?"
He leaned a hip on the counter, crossing his arms over his chest, which amplified his bulging biceps."They'll be here tomorrow.I thought you and I could meet for lunch and go over the design for the bathroom."
"I'm free for lunch.I'll tell the hostess to save us a seat in the restaurant," I said, trying desperately to keep my gaze on his face.
He was wearing a Sterling Brothers T-shirt and worn jeans with work boots, and there was something inherently sexy about the look.He was muscular and strong, his skin tan as if he was used to working outside in the sun, and his jaw had a line of scruff I wanted to trace with my fingers.
He'd filled out since we dated.He was a man now where he'd been a boy before.
"We'll want to get started on ordering right away.We don't want to run into any delays with the holidays coming up."
"I figured that."I'd hoped we'd go our separate ways.Except Eve was counting on me to supervise the renovation.Maybe it would be easier when there was a team of construction workers, and I wasn't alone in a bathroom with my ex.
He rested his hand on the vanity."You want to do the honors?"
I blanched."You mean help remove it?"
He shrugged."You're in workout clothes.Appropriate attire for demolition."
"I don't know about that."I lifted the edge of my shirt to wipe the sweat from my forehead.When I lowered it, his gaze was on my belly as if he'd been looking at the sliver of stomach I'd exposed.Was this weird for him too?
He turned away, refocusing on the vanity.He gripped the edge of the green surface.At one time, I was sure it was meant to go with the Christmas decor.I was positive white tile would look just as nice, and we could add a few touches, such as lush red towels to contribute to the ambiance.
Now that the work had started, I wanted to get rid of the old and bring in the new."Let's do it."
He grinned."I'm going to lift, and we just need to wiggle and pull.It should come right out."
I huffed a laugh."Yeah, okay."
"It will be easy, especially with two of us."
I set my phone aside and gripped the counter next to him.He lifted, and the muscles in his arms rippled and bulged.I forced myself to focus on the counter.I couldn't drool over his physique when I was supposed to be helping.
"Now pull."
At first, it didn't seem to do anything, but then he wiggled it back and forth, and something broke loose.We managed to move it away from the wall."Now let's turn it and walk it into the bedroom."
He'd placed tarps over the carpet, probably because we hadn't officially decided to change it yet.There was a plastic curtain between the bedroom and bathroom.He was trying to minimize the dust and mess.
He took the end, where he'd have to back out of the room, and I lifted the opposite.He had the harder job, and I appreciated that he'd taken that position.He'd always been a gentleman, a nice guy who looked out for other people.
We walked the vanity slowly into the other room and set it near the door.
"When my crew is here tomorrow, we'll start carrying things out.Let me know what time would be the quietest.We don't want to distract from the guests' experience."
"I know it can't be helped, but I appreciate you minimizing it as much as possible."The bathroom still had the shower and tub with the awful tile, but soon it would be a blank slate.
He cleared his throat."I'm sure you have to get to work."
