He flashed me a smile."Now we can make the kitchen exactly what you want.I thought we'd talk about the design tonight."
I felt a little foolish thinking he was hanging around half naked to get some sort of reaction out of me when he really wanted to discuss business."That would be great."
"Have you thought about what you want?"
"I need more cold storage and shelves for my supplies and ingredients."
"I can stop by the kitchen to get a feel for what you're working with now.But we can draw some options tonight based on what you think might work."
"I really appreciate you pausing your other jobs while you get the bakery reopened."
He flashed me another smile."The town is our first priority."
"I don't know what I would have done without you these last few weeks."
He put the chicken on a platter."Thought we could grill outside."
I followed him outside.
"How is everything going with your temporary bakery?"He opened the grill and placed the chicken breast and drumsticks on the rack.
"I had to bring back an employee to help me sell things.We thought we could get by with one table, but now we have several.Our regulars came in first, and then word spread, and more people have stopped by, curious to see what happened with the fire and asking when we'll be open again."
He closed the top of the grill."Let me get into the bakery and see how long it might take."
I nodded, happy that we were finally given the green light to start repairs."I'm worried about the smell of smoke.Will we ever get the stench out of the shop?"
"We're bringing in a company that specializes in fires.They clear everything out, and clean everything from top to bottom.Getting rid of stains and smells is part of their job."
I sat on one of the cushioned chairs."I didn't even now that was a thing."
"We've needed them for several fires now."
"I'm glad I have you to navigate this for me.I'd be lost if I had to do it myself."
He braced his hands on the back of another chair."Now, that's not true.Anytime you've needed to figure something out, you do.It took you no time to secure a kitchen and sell your products.You didn't need anyone's help."
"Eve gave me the kitchen."
He raised a brow."You know what I mean.It was you that made it happen.Another person might still be wallowing in despair, thinking the fire was a sign that their business wasn't salvageable."
I frowned."I worked so hard; I'm not giving up now."
"See?You don't need me.You would have figured it out."
"I guess so.But you being here has made things easier."I had a place to stay, a truck to drive, and a kitchen to bake in.And he was taking care of the renovations of the bakery.I could relax knowing that he knew what he was doing, and he wouldn't skip any steps in the process.I could trust him.
It might have been because he was Tom's friend, but I think I'd gotten to know him better the last couple of weeks.Anyone who would risk their life to save someone else's was a good guy.
So why was I trying to tamp down this desire for him?Should I pursue it?See if he felt the same way?But I probably shouldn't sleep with the contractor who was going to renovate my bakery.It would make things messy when I wanted easy and uncomplicated.
"I'm going to grab the veggies."He ducked inside and returned with chopped veggies.
"This is a nice setup."He had a small kitchen and an outdoor fireplace.
"Maverick built me this when I moved in.Outdoor spaces are his specialty."
"I love what he did with Belle's bookstore.The patio area is a great place to relax, and that fountain is the best."
