“You’ve never had a female best friend?” I asked, my voice laced with humor because I knew he’d deny it. He loved his wife, his kids, his family, and most of his employees, and he feigned irritation with most other people.
“I’d never had a best friend before marrying Emilia. You know I can’t stand most people.”
He was full of shit. He liked to play the part of the grumpy asshole, but he was a big teddy bear beneath all that broodiness.
“Well, I didn’t like having her so far away. We’ll leave it at that.”
“Maybe you aren’t supposed to be far away from one another,” he said as loud laughter came from outside my office.
ROD Construction had grown quite a bit since we’d opened the doors. We had twenty-two employees now, not to mention all the subcontractors we worked with in town, from framers to painters to electricians. A lot of my guys did the woodwork and special projects for homeowners, and we had a real good thing going.
Blue Sky Bay was making a name for itself, and this small town was one that tourists flocked to in the summer and the winter. Blue Sky Lake was a big lure, with its turquoise waters and mountain scenery. Our ski slopes were just as impressive during the colder months, and people were buying up homes and willing to commute to the city, driving forty-five minutes each way every day, just to come home to this beautiful landscape at the end of the day.
I was happy that ROD Construction had played a role in the growth of this town that had become home to me. I loved the locals, and the quaint downtown with all the self-owned businesses. My company did everything from new construction to full renovations where we’d gut a home or business down to the studs and bring our clients’ visions to life.
“You might be right, but she’s moving to New York to work for her old boss, and we’ll just have to visit when we can.” I glanced out the all-glass doors to see Gracie standing at the front desk talking with Zoe, who ran our front office. And I didn’t miss the way Dirk Roberts had been stopping in every day this week ever since Gracie came to work here. He owned the window company in town, and he handled all of our windowand door orders. Suddenly the dude was stopping by every day and hanging all over her. When I mentioned it to her, she just laughed it off and reminded me that she was a grown woman and she could handle herself.
I knew she could.
And I’d never been the jealous type, even with women I was actually dating.
But it irritated me the way he hung all over her.
I’d always been different with her.
“Well, I’m glad she’s there now,” my uncle said. “Emilia is no longer worried at all about the house, and she said that we’re in good hands. So keep me posted, and we’ll talk later this week.”
“You got it. Talk soon.” I ended the call and saw Zoe grab her purse and keys, which meant she was heading home.
Dirk was talking up a storm with Gracie, and I moved to my feet and made my way out to the front office.
“You out of here, Zoe?” I asked.
“Yep. I’ll see y’all in the morning.” She waved before pushing the door open and stepping outside.
“See you tomorrow,” Gracie said, and Dirk just continued gaping at her.
I raised a brow. “I’m guessing you need to get back to your office at some point?”
“Oh, yes. I’m just distracted by a beautiful woman, I guess.” He chuckled.
“Well, how about you get distracted at your own place of work?” My lips formed a flat line, and I crossed my arms over my chest.
He smirked. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Gracie. Well, if I’m lucky I will.”
For fuck’s sake.
What kind of shit line was that?
If I had a hose, I’d turn it on and spray him down like a dog.
Gracie just chuckled and waved before turning her attention to me. “I’m making dinner for us tonight.”
The last few nights had been busy, as everyone was happy she was back in town. We’d gone to the container park for dinner two of the nights, and last night we’d eaten at Bennett’s because she’d been dying for one of Bass’s steaks.
“Yeah? Are you sure you feel like cooking? I can grab us a pizza.”
“Yes. I picked up some groceries this afternoon and dropped them at the house,” she said as we walked out of the office, and I locked up. We’d walked here this morning, seeing as I only lived two blocks from downtown, where my office was.
