“But don’t sue me, please?” Alex gave my hand a squeeze. “I’m pretty sure I’m not insured for that kind of thing. And I promise I’ll help you fix it.”
I shook my head. “I think I’ll wait for the professionals to handle this. You’ve kind of done enough.”
“I can at least get a tarp up there to tide you over until your repair guy comes through.”
“Did you hit your head?”
“No, I don’t think so.” For a moment his forehead creased, and he patted his hands over his head. Finding no reason for concern, he shook his head slightly.
“Well, you must have if you think I’m going to let you go back up there. I’ll get someone out here tomorrow if I have to drag him here myself.”
Alex shifted on the stack of mattresses and put his feet on the floor. “If you change your mind . . .”
“I won’t. But I do appreciate the offer.” I leaned over to brush some slivers of wood from his shirt. “You’ve got stuff on your back.”
“I’m just glad those mattresses broke my fall. Thank God they were there.”
Thank God, thank my lucky stars, thank everything in the universe for making sure Alex had a soft space to land. I couldn’t afford the claim on my insurance, not to mention what Lacey would do to me if the biggest wedding in the history of Ido fell through because I’d taken out the penguin guy.
Alex got to his feet and wiped the remaining bits of insulation from his jeans. He took a few steps toward the door leading tothe front office, when a loud cracking noise exploded from the ceiling.
I looked up in time to see a whole section of the ceiling collapse. I yelled, my feet frozen in place. Then something crashed into me, sending me sailing across the room.
Alex covered me with his body, his broad chest pinning me to the ground. A cloud of dust rose around us, and I coughed, more from his crushing weight than from the aftermath of the ceiling falling.
“Are you hurt?” He pushed up onto a hand.
My lungs filled with air, making my chest rise and fall. His gaze settled on my face. I could tell by the heat flooding my system that my cheeks were red, and I flip-flopped back and forth from wanting to push him off me completely and pulling him into me to take advantage of that pouty bottom lip I’d been admiring.
“Zina?” He pushed up on the other hand, hovering over me. “You’re not hurt, are you?”
“I’m fine.” Flustered at exactly how flustered he made me feel, I willed myself to pull it together. My roof had just collapsed, and all I could think about was how his tongue might feel sliding against mine.
“I’m sorry. Here, let me help you up.” He staggered to his feet and held out a hand.
I hesitated, not wanting to expose myself to more contact. His touch, his heated gaze, his voice . . . the combination made me want to throw caution to the wind and dive headfirst into the attraction.
Shaking my head, I scrambled to my feet, sending all inappropriate thoughts about Alex scattering like the pieces of my roof that now blew around the concrete floor. “What am I going to do now?”
A shrill ring came from Alex’s pocket, and he pulled out his phone. “It’s Lacey.”
“Don’t answer it.” That’s all I needed was Lacey to remind me I should have had the roof repaired last time it leaked.
“What do you mean don’t answer it? I have to.” His brow crinkled as he held the phone to his ear. “Hello?”
I dusted off my pants. It was no use. At least the pups were okay. The section of roof had collapsed over the supply area. But I’d need to find a place to move them where they’d be safe until I could get the roof repaired. The only place I could think of that had space had just been leased out to the man pacing across the concrete floor on the other side of the room.
By the time he hung up, I had a plan. A good plan.
“Sounds like Lacey wants to meet with us at her office in the morning. Are you available around ten?” Alex asked.
“Did she say what it’s about?”
“The wedding, I guess. Now what are you going to do about these dogs?”
“About that.” I braced myself for a bit of a battle. “I have an idea.”
“Okay, let’s hear it.” Alex gave me a smile.
