“Cass,” she raised her hand to halt any further discussion, “you ever think maybe I enjoy having time to myself? Maybe I like not answering to someone about what I’m doing or where I’m going?” She scanned the room. “Or hearing about how our business is more important to me than finding a husband? Imean, I’m an independent, self-made woman who doesn’t have the time to chase after a man.”
“Rox, I was just going to ask if you’d bring salsa and guac from Cantina’s on your way to my house.”
Oh. Well, that was a wasted speech.
“I wasn’t thinking about guys.” Cassie turned and strolled away with a few parting words. “I’ll say this, though I’d deny it in front of my husband. If I’d never met T, I might be inclined to chasethatman.”
No way.Roxanne wouldn’t entertain the topic of Jonah, let alone feed into it. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
Cassie glanced over her shoulder, and Roxanne clenched her jaw, seeing the humor on her sister-in-law’s face. “Yes, you do.” She winked and disappeared through the doorway.
Roxanne glanced at the art before darting her gaze across the room. She had to stop thinking about him. What was the point? There is, was, and never will be anything between them. Chasing any man was off the table. Besides, what were the chances they’d randomly bump into each other?
Zero.
****
“Looks great, man.”
Jonah glanced down from the metal beam he was standing on three stories up. He lifted his hand and waved to the couple below. It wasn’t often that he got visitors at his job sites. But these two had infiltrated his world, and Jonah wouldn’t complain.
The scaffolding was rigged with a ladder at the far end. He made his way past the guys seated on the ledge enjoying their last break of the day. He descended, making his way across the bottom ledge, and jumped down, adjusting his sunglasses.
“Looks like you’ll finish by Christmas, huh?” Bogs craned his neck, peering up at the framed structure.
“If the weather holds up, my estimate is right after Thanksgiving.” The job was one of his biggest and most lucrative. There’d been several bids from reputable construction companies. No one was surprised more when he received the call that they were going with him. While he’d never admit it, Jonah suspected Ethan had played a part in securing the job.
The money was great, and he needed it, considering he’d have two kids in college next year. But it came at a price. The hours were long. The work was taxing. Overseeing a whole crew had its own challenges. Long after he left the site at six, he continued working into the early morning. Then at five o’clock the next morning, he’d wake up and do it all over again.
“Nice,” Bogs said, stretching out his hand as they got closer.
“Hey, Jonah.”
“How’s it going, Kenz?”
She stepped back into Bogs chest, gleaming. He watched how easily she fit into her man’s grasp and how comfortably she did it. Jonah smiled, thinking of how much these two had been through. It was worth it, though.
“Things are good. Got a promotion.”
“Yeah? That’s great. Congrats, you deserve it.” He wasn’t sure if that was actually true since they didn’t talk much about her job when they’d spend time together. But he knew Kenzie deserved the best of everything, so his statement was universal.
“We’re celebrating at the steakhouse down on Center Street.” She clasped her hands over Bogs’, resting on her stomach. “Saw your truck and thought we’d see if you wanna grab dinner with us.”
Jonah flattened his lips. This wasn’t the first time they’d invited him to go out. In fact, between the two of them, it’d happened a handful of times. He was pretty sure Kenzie felt indebted to him for some reason. There was a connection.Nothing romantic on either end, but a common ground that made for a strong bond.
“I would, but I gotta finish up here and get home to the boys.”
Kenzie pouted. “I thought you’d say no.”
“Another time, I promise.”
She smiled and widened her eyes. “Fine. Are we still on for next Friday around four? If I get dropped off, can you drive me to T and Cassie’s afterwards? My car’s in the shop.”
Bogs rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “I told you he’d do it.”
Kenzie knitted her brows. “And I told you I wanted to do the polite thing and ask.”
Jonah chuckled, enjoying their banter. “Yeah, I can do that. Swing by any time after four and I’ll show you the wood I picked out.”
