“You should be. It was irritating and inconsiderate.” Mrs. Hewitt said crossly before turning to leave.
“Well, thank you again, Mrs. Hewitt.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, scrutinizing me for a moment before she continued across the hall.
Alaric
I was at the shop for five o’clock that morning to meet Mitch, and then we spent an additional two hours on the job site, just trying to get it done so we didn’t have to come out again.
I hadn’t heard from Gwen since I left her place, but that hadn’t stopped me from thinking about her all day long.
Before leaving my house, I’d tossed the supplies I’d need to fix her counter into the backseat, intent on repairing it as soon as possible. I knew it was just another excuse to see her again.
It was nearly six when we finally got back to the shop, and I couldn’t leave quick enough.
“Hold up a moment, son.” I froze at the sound of my boss’s voice and turned, keys in hand, watching as Russell approached my truck. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been intimidated by a girl’s father, and it went past him being my employer. “I just spoke to Mitch, and he gave another glowing review of your performance on site. You’ve completed another job ahead of schedule.”
“I didn’t do it myself,” I responded, shrugging and hoping like hell I didn’t look as uneasy as I felt.
Russell let out a low chuckle and scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. “Well, I appreciate the hard work.” He said, his eyes twinkling.
“It’s my job, sir,” I told him, my hand twitching at my side. I gripped my keys a little tighter, not exactly trusting the calculating look in my boss’s eyes as he appraised me.
Russell cleared his throat. “I’m going to toss you in the shop for the rest of the week. We fell a little behind on the Creek project after a few measurement mishaps, and I think throwing you in there will help bring us back up to speed.”
“Of course.” I nodded, relaxing marginally. It wasn’t about Gwen.
“We need to be on track to start assembling by Wednesday next week.”
“I can make it happen,” I told him.
“Great. You have a good night, son. See ya tomorrow,” Russell said, nodding once before turning and heading back into the office.
I hit unlock on my remote and climbed in, letting out a heavy sigh. I rolled my neck, working the tension out, and shoved the key into the ignition, turning it with a flick of my wrist, guilt churning in my gut.
I should head straight home, end this thing between the two of us. Clearly, I was having a harder time keeping things casual and compartmentalized.
Maybe I don’t want to.
The thought caught me completely off guard, and it was accompanied by the mental image of Gwen’s head thrown back in ecstasy as I drove into her over and over again.
Normally, it was easy to keep sex separate from feelings, but I was beginning to realize that nothing about what we had was normal.
Not the way I burned for her, not the way she crept into my thoughts at mundane moments, and certainly not from the wave of calm that washed over me the closer I got to her.
I hesitated with my hand on the gearshift. Conflicting thoughts rolled around in my head—the conversation I had with my mother over the weekend, the one-sided argument I’d had with Cheryl, and my own wants and desires, my own fears and hang-ups.
The kicker was I knew what my dad would say if he were still here. He’d tell me to stop being an idiot and get the girl. Find a way to make it all work.
Tugging the gearshift, I pressed my heavy work boot down on the gas pedal and rolled from the parking lot, steering my truck in the direction of her apartment.
I parked at the curb and hopped out, opening the rear door to grab the supplies I’d tossed in. I made my way to the entrance, slowing when I saw the brick propping the door open.
Opening it, I climbed the five steps to Gwen’s apartment, pausing in front of her door. I took a breath and raised my fist, knocking hollowly against the cheap wood. A few moments later, it swung forward.
Gwen’s dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she was wearing pants that looked painted on. Her eyes widened with surprise. She hadn’t been expecting me, but she smiled brightly like she was happy to see me.
“Hey. Figured I’d stop in and fix that counter top,” I told her, trying to ignore the nervous pounding of my heart that betrayed why I was really there. To see her.
