“Please don’t tell me you found another leak in the building.”
“No leaks. Sure, it’s an old building and things happen, but this pretty lady is in surprisingly good shape.”
She pressed a hand to her chest. “Thanks for saying that. I’m not sure my bank account can take another hit right now.”
He surprised her by smiling. “You’re saying I’m expensive?”
“I’m saying it’s a lot of work and not even for anything fun like a new kitchen.”
“You want a new kitchen? I have a great tile guy and I can get you a deal on new appliances.”
“Thanks for the offer, but let’s stick with fixing the store for now.”
He talked her through where they were on the east wall repair. They were doing it in sections, to keep disruptions to a minimum. Finding materials that would blend in with the Victorian era of the building had been a challenge, but Marcus had come through.
“When it gets to the hairy part, I’ll have two teams working. One during the day and one from eight at night until about four in the morning.”
Something he’d suggested when she’d admitted she was worried about disruption in the store. There hadn’t been much of an increase in cost, and it cut down the time until completion.
“Now, about that wall,” he began, only to be interrupted by Ramon flying over and landing on a nearby bookshelf. He peered at Marcus, tilting his head.
“Ramon, this is Marcus,” she said. “He’s helping fix the building. You’ve seen him around.”
Ramon walked toward him on the shelf. “Hello.”
“Hi.” Marcus looked at her. “Does he know what he’s saying?”
“Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me?” Ramon said, sounding exactly like Robert De Niro.
She tried not to laugh. “He, ah, doesn’t like when people don’t speak to him directly. And yes, he does know what he’s saying.”
“Sorry,” Marcus said, looking directly at the bird. “It’s nice to meet you, Ramon.”
The parrot inched forward. Jax held out her arm, showing him how to position his hand.
“If he likes you, he’ll fly to you,” she said, right as Ramon flew over and landed on Marcus’s outstretched fingers.
His eyes widened. “He’s so light. I thought he’d be heavier.”
“He’s only a pound.”
Marcus and the bird studied each other. “You’re handsome,” Marcus told him.
“You are, too.”
Marcus grinned. “Thank you.”
“You getting laid?”
Marcus involuntarily took a step back. He turned to Jax. “Did he just ask me what I think he asked me?”
She sighed. “Sorry. It’s his new phrase. Ramon, stop asking that. People get offended.”
He made a snorting sound and flew toward a group of customers.
“That bird,” she murmured.
“I can hear the affection in your voice.”
