Just like that, her perkiness was back. “Damn straight. Okay, what’ve you got? Is that ablueprint?” She snatched up one of the sheets he’d spread across her counter and held it out accusingly.
“More like a sketch.”
“A whole damn blueprint of my little kitchen!” she hooted.
He leaned his elbow on the counter and propped his head on his fist, content to watch her study the printout like it was some kind of holy text. “Do you want your pretty new cabinets to fit perfectly, or do you want me to just toss them up there randomly?”
“Everything I do is a wee bit haphazard.” She peered at him over the edge of the paper. “It’s a trip being around someone this organized.”
“I’m a contractor,” he pointed out. “Organization is basically prereq number one.”
“I guess this explains the itemized, day-by-day schedule of work to be done.” She pointed accusingly at his Excel printout.
“Listen, lady, if we don’t have a plan and stick to it, this whole project could fall into chaos and anarchy.”
“Chaosandanarchy?” She gasped. “My God. Fill me on this schedule then.”
They’d just turned their attention to the grid he’d filled out of which jobs would be performed when, based on the availability of his workers and his own nights-and-weekend plans, when the doorbellbing-bongedthrough the house.
“Expecting someone?”
“Nope.”
She walked toward the front door, and he followed in her wake, glad he was with her so she wasn’t alone when she greeted whoever was knocking after dark in a new neighborhood. She threw open the round-top front door, and he was standing close enough to feel her whole body stiffen as she took in the three people on her front step.
“Mom!” With a jolt, she moved forward to hug the woman standing in front. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Happy housewarming, sweetie!”
Aiden stepped back to let the group inside. Thea’s mom entered first, followed by a teenage girl and a balding man holding a large potted plant. The furrows etched into the man’s forehead deepened when he greeted Thea.
“You’re still driving that death trap? It’s a wonder it gets you to work in the mornings. You need a good American car!” He shifted the pot to the crook of his left elbow as his attention turned to the wallpaper in the hallway. He ran a finger over one peeling seam and announced, “Your daughter’s going to have her work cut out for her, Carly.”
“I think it’s got potential,” Carly said, turning to Thea. “It’s going to be beautiful, honey.”
“Thanks.” Thea’s voice sounded flatter than he’d ever heard it, but when she turned toward the teenager, she bounced back to chipper. “Good to see you, Belly.”
“You too,” the girl said. “I love your front door.”
“Isn’t it cute?” Thea squealed, and they exchanged identical one-side-kicked-up smiles.
And that’s when Aiden realized he was looking at Thea’s half sister, the surprisingly tall product of her mom’s marriage to the sweaty man currently shoving the plant into Thea’s hands.
“Here. Let’s see how long you can keep this one alive.” Then he turned and steamrolled his way down the hall. “Jesus, would you look at this?” His voice drifted from the kitchen, but Aiden couldn’t tell if he was complimenting the view or complaining about the decor.
“Let’s just… let him explore,” Carly said. Then she noticed the stranger lurking in the entrance. “And who’s this?”
Oh shit. They hadn’t discussed what to tell Thea’s family. Did they know about their deal, or was he playing the dutiful boyfriend? The uncertainty left him frozen in the hallway with a half smile glued to his face.
“Mom, that’s Aiden Murdoch.” The teenager didn’t roll her eyes, but it was heavily implied in her tone.
Thea glanced sharply at her. “How do you know Aiden?”
The girl shrugged and pulled out her phone. “Moo Daddies,” she said as if that explained everything.
“Aiden!” Carly exclaimed. “I haven’t seen you since…” The short silence stretched awkwardly until she said, “Well, you’ve certainly gotten taller.”
“Twenty-odd years can change a man,” he said easily. Of course, two decades ago Carly’s hair was as brown as Thea’s and her smile had radiated the same level of warmth and humor. Now she was blond and a little sharp around the edges, so much so that he almost hadn’t recognized her.
