"I was always drawing something in school. Remember?" She waited for him to respond, and when he didn't, she continued, "The vision was so clear in my head; I just had to put it on paper."
She handed him her sketch pad.
He looked at it for a few seconds, then handed it back to her. "These are good renderings. You should frame them and put them on the walls when it's done."
"You think so?" Belle asked, excitement creeping into her voice.
"They're good," he said simply, as if it cost him to say that much.
There was something between these two. The tension was thick enough that it made me uncomfortable. I concentrated on placing the panties and bras just so on the table.
Maverick waited for Belle to put on her coat, and then they went outside, probably to discuss the design. A few minutes later, they returned through the side door. "I thought we could cover it to block the sun, and maybe we could have the ability to close it off during the winter. The cold season is so long here; it would give us more time to enjoy the space."
"It raises the cost considerably."
Belle's forehead creased. "Can you do the estimate with both options, and then I can talked to Eve about the options?”
Maverick edged toward the door. "You're the boss." Then his gaze snagged on my table. "You're selling"—he moved closer—"panties?"
Belle nodded. "Angela's shop was flooded recently so I offered her a table to sell her wares."
"Hmm."
"I'm really grateful to Belle for offering me space. It's tough being closed the week of Christmas." I wondered if he'd say something about Belle, but his lips pressed into a straight line.
"I'll be in touch with the estimate. Probably by email."
"Will you be the one doing the work? Or will you send subcontractors?"
He shook his head. "This project has my name written all over it. I wouldn't let anyone touch it."
"Oh, really? Why is that?" Belle frowned as she followed him to the front door.
He paused, angling his body slightly toward Belle. "It's not an easy project. I have a feeling you'll want to make changes and additions while the work is being done."
Her brow furrowed. " Are you saying that I'm a difficult client?"
He grunted again.
"I don't think you know me at all. You never did," Belle said, moving away from him.
I had a feeling she needed a few minutes to herself, so I kept folding panties and bras in careful stacks, organized by design, color, and size.
Maverick sighed heavily before opening the door and stepping outside.
Ayla piled the last of the lingerie on top of the table in a heap I'd have to refold. "Can I look at a book now?"
"If that's okay with Belle."
Ayla ran over to Belle, who stood behind the counter with her head slightly bowed. She looked up when Ayla asked, "Do you mind if I look at books?"
Belle shook her head slightly. "Of course not. Let me show you where the kids' section will be. I have a bunch of cool seating options."
They moved away from me, and I wondered what happened between Maverick and Belle. It almost seemed like they knew each other at some point, maybe even dated.
There was an undercurrent of something between them: tension, electricity, and maybe even bad feelings.
But I was just here to arrange my products, not to think about what was happening between Belle and her contractor. I had my own to worry about.
