"I'll clean up and get out of your hair.But we'll be here tomorrow bright and early."
Her brows rose."On a Saturday?"
I gestured at the shop."You're working, aren't you?"
"Well, yeah, Saturdays are a big deal for retail.But I didn't think construction workers worked weekends."
"I want to get the work done.I have other projects lined up."Then I wouldn't have to work so hard to ignore the shop owner.
She flinched, but I refused to feel badly that she'd taken it the way she had.It was easier to avoid her and these pesky feelings if I wasn't nice to her.She'd remember that I was a jerk and avoid me.
"It will go more quickly if there aren't any half-naked women on my job site."
She rolled her eyes."So you've said."
"It bears repeating.I don't want anyone to get hurt."I wasn't sure why I was bringing it up again, except I couldn't stop thinking about how she looked.
She just stared at me as if she was a kid who was unimpressed with her father's use of the wordno.Probably because I kept offering excuses instead of sticking to the boundary I'd set.
I rolled my shoulders back."Hopefully, the noise hasn't deterred your customers."
She smiled."The kids enjoy watching the backhoes and other equipment."
"I'm glad we could entertain them."I didn't care if the kids enjoyed watching us.I only cared that it made Belle happy.I wasn't supposed to be making her happy outside of the job I completed.
"I won't keep you.I'm so excited to see it all come together.The patio, the fountain… I can see the chairs and tables now.The people sitting and sipping their lattes and reading.It's going to be everything I've ever wanted."
I raised a brow, wanting to know more about her."You've always wanted a patio?"
Her eyes shone with excitement."I've always wanted to own a place where people could come and browse books, maybe read on a comfortable chair, or sit outside and enjoy the sun.A place where people can gather."
She had a way of making people share her vision, and I wanted to make it perfect for her.
"I almost forgot.I'm wondering if it's too late to add a fireplace to this area."She moved toward the space that was staked out for the four-seasons room."Maybe here.And it could be two-sided.Or would that make the room too cold?"
My jaw tightened."Probably."
"Hmm.Could we add a fireplace out here?I was reviewing at the designs you posted on your site?—"
"You checked out my portfolio?"I couldn't help but ask, intrigued that she'd searched my work.
"Well, yeah.You're building me a patio.I wanted to see what was possible."
I cleared my throat, remembering my role."What did I tell you about additions after the work started?"
Her nose wrinkled."You wouldn't be happy about it, but you're always grumpy.Is this really going to make a difference in your countenance?"
She had me there.The fact that she was speaking to me had elevated my blood pressure.I ignored the voice inside me that said it had nothing to do with irritation or even anger.I wanted this woman, and a part of me was starting to tire of ignoring it."Any additions delay the project."
Her lower lip protruded into a pout."But this is my dream.And I want to do it right."
I raised a brow."If a fireplace was your dream, why wasn't it in the original plans?You framed your designs on the wall, and there's no fireplace in them."
Her lips quirked."You're right about that.It was something that just came to me.This is a Christmas-themed town.I'm sure it won't be hard to convince Eve that it's something we have to include."
I sighed."You're used to getting what you want, aren't you?"
This time her smile was wide."Actually, I'm not.But I'm finding that I get more of what I want when I'm really clear about it."
