“Yeah, sure,” Wolfe heard himself say, and then surprised himself even more when he offered her his address.
Was he coming or going?He wasn’t quite sure when it came to Aspen, but he’d better figure it the fuck out, and soon.
Wolfe finished hanging the extension cords on the hooks he mounted into the garage wall, then hustled inside to take a quick shower.
He was throwing a t-shirt on when he heard the doorbell ring.
He finished dressing and headed to the front door, dragging his fingers through his wet hair to keep it off his face and out of his stubbled beard.
“Hi,” she said, a soft smile touching her beautiful face, the purest of cream with a handful of freckles dotting skin, and devoid of any make-up.
Jesus, he had it bad.
“Hi,” Wolfe’s voice croaked, sounding husky and desire filled.“C’mon in.”
He held the door open for her to enter the small foyer at the opening of his home.Aspen looked beyond the entrance to the living room filled with a giant couch and a massive television that dominated the space.
“This is nice.”
“Thanks.”
Why was it so awkward between them when they never had a lull in conversation before?
Oh, yeah, they were fighting over money and not even an official couple.
“Look, Connor, I just wanted to come and apologize,” she rushed out the words.“I am so grateful for the help you’ve given me over the last few weeks and I want to say thank you.Thank you so much.”
“Is there a but here?”
Holy fuck is she ending this when we haven’t even defined whatitis?
“No!”she practically yelled.“I just...I know you don’t understand about not taking money or exploring other options, but it’s just where I am right now.I don’t want to argue with you, Connor.I have a plan for my business, and I know I’m going to meet my goals.Honestly, I’m on track to transition to a better financial place sooner than later.”
Wolfe thought long and hard about his response.He had plenty to say, but at the end of the day, it was her business.And if she’d accept his handyman work, he’d take it and let the big stuff be.He knew over time he could change her mind.He would change her mind.
He would pause and regroup.For now.
“All right, BB.I’ll let you work to grow your business as you see fit.”
She cocked an eyebrow his way, questioning how quickly he acquiesced.“Really?”
“Really, really,” he said, knowing he’d figure out a way to help her get what she needed for her shop, even if it meant orchestrating some bogus air conditioner lottery.“Now, what’s in the bag you’re clutching?”
“I wanted to say thank you for all of your help, and since you don’t eat sweets,” she thrusted the gift bag against his chest.“I had to get creative.”
“You can get creative with me anytime, BB,” Wolfe drew out the sentence thinking of many ways and places his boss baker could get imaginative with him.
Her cheeks tinted crimson.“Just open your gift.”
Wolfe pulled apart the bag to reveal a lavender t-shirt with a silk screen on the front.“Justin Bieber?Sweet.”
“You’ve mentioned him a couple of times and it seems to me you might be a ‘Belieber’ in your spare time.”
“Well played, BB.Well played.”
He handed the bag back to Aspen, took off his REO Speedwagon tee and replaced it with her gift.
Aspen’s eyes tracked the movement of the t-shirt until it completely covered his abdomen.She then gave her head a shake like she was breaking up cobwebs.
