“Why did people give their time for free?” he asked.
“Because they are my friends,” she declared. “And perhaps they want to be your friends too.”
“Oh?” He considered this. “I suppose your contractor friend will be there too.”
Her mouth twisted to one side. “You don’t like Cliff very much, do you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t really know him.”
“But you don’t like him, George, I can tell.”
“You want the truth?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Well, for starters I’ve heard he’s a womanizer.”
“A womanizer?” She laughed. “Who on earth told you that?”
“Lorna’s friend Gayla said that Cliff has been married a couple of times and has had several girlfriends.”
“That sounds like gossip to me.”
He felt unsure. Should he repeat what Cliff had said the other night? Or was that stepping over some invisible line?
“And that’s why you don’t like him?” She peered curiously at him. “Just because your lady friends are telling tales out of school?”
“There’s more.” He felt like Willow deserved to know the truth about Cliff. Then if she wanted to proceed with a relationship, at least she’d have her eyes wide open.
“Do tell.” She had a smug expression.
“Well, Cliff said a few things ... the other night when you took off and left me at the house with him.”
“What sort of things, George?” She folded her arms in front of her, waiting.
George told her, but once again, she didn’t seem to care. In fact, she acted completely nonchalant about the whole thing. “I just thought you should know,” he said a bit defensively. “If you’re going to be involved with—”
“My involvement with Cliff Grant was purely professional, George. And it was for your sake.” She tapped him on the chest. “I put up with Cliff in order to get your house fixed up foryou.”
George relaxed some. “So you’re not interested in him—romantically?”
She laughed. “I really don’t feel he’s my type.”
George felt a tiny rush of hope. “What is your type?”
Her smile looked a bit coy. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“I would like to know.” He tried to conceal his eagerness.
She pursed her lips. “Well, George, if you really want to know, perhaps you’d like to help me host that thank-you party.”
“Is this some sort of blackmail?”
“Does that mean you’re coming?”
He shrugged. “I suppose I am.”
“Thank you, dear. The party will begin at seven. I hope to see you there a little before that. Say, six forty-five?” Then, to his complete surprise, Willow came over and kissed him on the cheek. And it wasn’t just a peck either. It felt like an intentionally warm and passionate kiss. And it left him longing for more.
