Page 4 of Property of the Woodsman

Chapter Two

Jen

“Who’s the hot guy and where do I get one?” My friend Mabel steps into the house, a cool breeze carrying in behind her as she flips her long auburn hair back over her shoulder.

I consider telling her that the man in question is a handyman or a circus clown, anything but the guy I hired to take me to the wedding, but Mabel will be there as well, and given the fact that we’re best friends, I figure she deserves in on my bullshit.

“He’s my fake date,” I manage, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Your fake date?” She narrows her brows with judgment, a signature move that I usually bond with her over. “What does that mean?”

“Reed is going to be at Brian and Lydia’s wedding with his new girlfriend, so,” I shrug like people do this all the time, “I hired a fake date.”

She glares up over the wood banister at the man currently scraping some kind of mud all over the wall. “And he also does home repairs?”

“He was supposed to have finished them already.” I shake my head and take her hand in mine, dragging her into the kitchen and out of the man’s earshot. This guy doesn’t need another boost to his ego. Something tells me he’s doing just fine in that department.

“Wow, I like it. Is this some sort of kink thing? Does he like being bossed around and told what to do, or do you get off on your ex watching you with another man?”

I consider the options and wonder which is truer. “Oh God,” I groan, taking a sip of the coffee I’ve just poured. “Am I that girl?”

“Maybe.” She shrugs and sets her mug down on the granite countertop I had installed last week. “The countertops look great, though. The whole place does. You’ve really done a lot with it.”

“Wait, go back to the weird kink thing. Do you think I’m a weirdo for bringing a fake date?”

She shakes her head, hiding her smile behind her mug as she takes another sip. “What? Who said that?”

“You did! You asked me if this was a kink or something.”

“Well,” her eyes widen, “is it?”

“No! You can’t tell me you wouldn’t want to make your ex jealous too. I mean, you—”

“You don’t have to explain it to me. I know what he put you through, and I saw the little tramp he’s with. So, I say go for it.” She takes another sip of her coffee. “I’m just surprised is all. You’re usually so reserved, and this guy is… wild-looking. I think you’re definitely going to put on a show.”

“A bad show?”

“No.” She shakes her head back and forth quickly. “If I were your ex, I’d be jealous. That dude is big, rough, hot, and he looks like he knows how to have a good time. How do the details work on that? Do you pay him, or provide other services?”

I don’t have it in me to get into the details of the arrangement, so I nod and change the subject. “Something like that. We’re still working out the specifics. Does this kitchen remind you of anything?”

Mabel’s eyes draw through the galley-style kitchen, taking in the oak cupboards and the pine floors. “It’s a lot like your parents’ place.”

I grin. “Right? Even the maple trees through that window bring back memories of their house.”

“Absolutely.” She wanders toward the window and stares out, the red and orange leaves spiraling to the ground. “We used to climb that tree outside the kitchen window every day after school before your mom hollered for you to come practice piano.”

I pinch my lips together and nod, my heart somehow both full and sad all at once.

“I’m so thankful you made the move out here with me. It’s so nice to have a friend that remembers the old days.”

“Your parents practically raised me. You’re my family, Jen. I just… I worry you overextended yourself. I mean, how are you going to afford all this? You haven’t written in months. I mean, where did you even find the cash for the renovations or the handyman sex god?”

“Handyman sex god?” I laugh. “I hope so, ‘cause I’ve got a few entryways that could use some work.”

Did I say that out loud?

“Seriously,” she presses. “I’m worried about you. The divorce, your job, and now the renovations. You’re running yourself ragged.”