Instead, I thought about how many buildings on Candy Cane Lane needed to be inspected and how much pipe I'd need to order. How long each building would take to replace the pipe, and how much money I'd made from the job.
If I focused on numbers, I wouldn't think about how Angela looked in silky lingerie or how her nipples were hard and begging for my mouth.
My body tensed as I fought with myself over the thoughts in my head. It was impossible to think about anything else but the material in my hands and the way it would look on Angela's body.
I worked faster, thinking that if the tiny scraps of silk and lace were out of sight, I'd stop thinking about how sexy Angela looked in them. I breathed a sigh of relief once everything was packed away. We carried the boxes up the narrow stairs to Angela's apartment.
CHAPTER 3
ANGELA
Once everything was packed, we carried the boxes up the narrow stairs to my apartment. I directed everyone to stack the packages in the living room which quickly filled the small space. This place was convenient since I worked downstairs, but I was a little embarrassed to be living in a tiny apartment with my daughter.
Surely by now, I should be able to afford something better for us.
"I have to call the insurance company," Eve said once the last box was placed in the living room.
"Thanks for handling that." The building itself was her responsibility, but I had a feeling not all landlords where that involved.
"I'll get your store up and running in no time," Eve said, and I wanted to believe her. But it was almost Christmas, and I'd be closed during the busiest shopping season of the year.
Eve said her goodbyes, then left.
"Thanks for coming out on a Saturday. I really appreciate it," I said to Cooper, who was moving toward the door, getting ready to leave.
"That's our job. We're always here for people in this town," Cooper said to me, and then to Hudson, "Don't forget to show her your place."
"You have everything you need?" Hudson asked me.
"I need to get dressed and pack a bag." In my bedroom, I reluctantly took off the sweatshirt, then packed it. I pulled on a different sweatshirt and sweats, packing a few things in a duffle bag for Ayla and me. When I was done, I went to the living room, finding Hudson looking at pictures.
I moved closer to him.
He picked up one where I was holding Ayla wrapped in a blanket in the hospital. I was gazing down at her with so much love on my face. I'd fallen in love with her instantly.
Gus hadn't been able to be in the room with me. He'd told me it was too much pressure for him. But thankfully, my mother had been there for me.
Hudson set the frame on the shelf. "There are a lot of pictures of you and Ayla."
"She's everything to me." No matter what happened with my ex, I couldn't regret having her.
His gaze flitted to the bag in my hand, and he reached for it. "Are you ready to see the house?"
I took a breath and said the words I'd been reciting in the bedroom while I packed. "I can go to a hotel for the night and find something else if it's a problem. I know Cooper put you on the spot."
Hudson shrugged. "It's fine."
This apartment was small but convenient since it was over the shop. I could work while Ayla slept upstairs. It would be nice to stay in a house for once. But I didn't want to do anything he wasn't comfortable with.
He slung the strap of my duffle over his shoulder. "Are you sure you got everything you need?"
"I can always come back and get more."
Hudson waited for me to lock the door. "I'm parked in the lot."
Hudson nodded. "I'll pull around then."
I waited for him in my car, and when his truck lumbered past, I pulled out to follow him to his place.
