“I like this too, Austin,” she said. “I’d like to see what happens.”
But time was marching on, and I had a group to prep for, a boat to see to. I pushed my chair back and stood, the sound scraping loudly in the quiet kitchen. “I need to get ready for work. Got a charter this morning.”
“Of course. I’ve got a full day too.” She stood up with me but didn’t move away. Just stood there on the other side of the cluttered table, her gaze soft and a little uncertain.
I closed the space between us. Before I could overthink it, before my usual defenses could slam back into place, I cupped her jaw, my thumb stroking the soft skin just below her ear. Her eyes widened slightly, her lips parting on a soft, surprised breath. I meant to lean in for a simple goodbye kiss—a soft, brief confirmation of the words we’d just shared.
But the moment my mouth touched hers, that plan went to hell.
She tasted of coffee and sweet mango. Her lips were soft, yielding, welcoming. What started as a gentle press deepened instantly to a magnetic pull I was powerless to resist. The memory of last night’s desperate heat flared, a coiling warmth in my gut. She pressed against me, and her hands came up to rest on my chest, right over my thumping heart. It wasn’t a frantic, messy collision like yesterday. This was something else.
Slower. Deeper. More dangerous, maybe.
I lingered for a moment longer, then forced myself to pull back. Her eyes were dark, color high on her cheeks.
My hand was still on her face. I brushed the back of my fingers down her cheek, the skin unbelievably soft. “Will I see you later?”
She gave a small nod. “You will.”
As I stepped onto her porch, a brand-new, clean Ford F-250 with crisp lettering forOn the Level Remodeling & Restorationpulled into the Heron House driveway. A man got out, maybe in his mid-fifties, with a calm, confident air about him that was the polar opposite of Mick Riley’s lazy swagger. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and the ebony skin of his weathered face was framed by a neatlytrimmed, salt-and-pepper goatee. This had to be Gus, the guy Chase had recommended and Iris had chosen. I’d heard of him but never met the man.
Iris joined me on the porch and squeezed my bicep. “He’s right on time. Come on. You should meet him since you’re the one who made it happen.”
“I’d like that.”
We crossed the walkaround porch and descended the steps to meet the man.
“Gus! Good morning!” Iris called out, her voice bright.
Gus smiled as he walked up the path, a clipboard tucked under his arm. “Morning, Iris. Ready to make some real progress?” His voice was a deep, steady baritone that inspired confidence. He nodded toward me.
“Gus, this is my neighbor, Austin. He was the one who put me in touch with his brother-in-law, Chase,” Iris explained.
I extended my hand. “Austin Coleridge.”
Gus’s grip was firm, dry, no-nonsense. “Gus Davis. Pleasure to meet you. Chase told me you know your way around these old houses yourself.”
“I know enough to stay away from them, usually,” I replied, and Iris laughed.
Gus’s smile widened. “I know the feeling. Well, no time to waste.” He turned to Iris, all business. “As I told you last week, my exterior crew is on the way to get this siding situation permanently resolved and make sure you’re watertight. We’ll have this whole west wall finished by the end of the day tomorrow. My interior guys will continue the third-floor demo for those en-suites. I’ve got a third team finishing up a job across the bay, and they’ll join us here in about a week. We’ll hit this place from all sides. Should have you ready for plumbing and electrical in no time.”
He laid out the plan with such calm, logical efficiencythat I found myself nodding in approval. I watched Iris’s face as he spoke. The anxious frown line that had seemed a permanent fixture between her brows was gone, replaced by an expression of pure happiness.
“That’s amazing,” she said. “I can’t tell you what a relief that is to hear.”
Seeing her like this, so happy and hopeful, did that unsettling thing to my chest again. Warmth spread through me, a feeling of satisfaction on her behalf that was profoundly, dangerously unfamiliar. With Gus and his competent crew taking charge, my presence was no longer required.
“Well,” I cleared my throat and addressed them both. “Sounds like you’ve got it handled. I have to get to work.”
The contractor gave me another firm nod. “Good to meet you, Austin.”
“You, too. We’ll get to know each other, I expect.” Couldn’t hurt to let the guy know I’d be around.
Iris turned to me, her blue eyes shining. “Thank you again, Austin.”
“You’re welcome. Uh, see you later.” I gave her a nod, unable to articulate the mess of conflicting emotions churning inside me, and retreated.
As I headed back to my place to shower, my world felt like it had spun sideways. I’d spent the night with the chaotic woman next door. I’d made her coffee in her kitchen. I’d talked, I’d laughed. And now, her biggest problem was on its way to being solved.
