Sugar Pie by Victoria Pinder

11

Kerry

The next morning was easy. I made breakfast while he showered. The image of his naked body in the water played in my mind, as did the idea of stripping and joining him.

However, I wasn’t that much of a risk taker. I whipped together a quiche so that he could take some for his lunch.

I set the table and turned on the laptop as the coffee percolated.

I blinked at the no-signal sign and restarted the laptop. I paced, and my heart pounded. I needed to work. My shoulders slumped when he came out, and I met his gaze. He stared at me, and I knew he would ask, so I shook my head. “The internet is down.”

He licked his lips. “No worries. We can check on that later. How would you like to get out for an hour or two and help me install some ceiling fans? It would be a lot easier with a second pair of hands.”

The idea of seeing him work again had goose bumps growing on my body. I knew he would be busy. I grabbed my coffee and his cup of water. “I don’t know how much help I’ll be.”

“Unwrapping stuff and handing it to me so I don’t have to go up and down the ladder saves me half the time.” He tasted his breakfast then ate like he’d never had anything so delicious. My pulse zipped—he still liked my food. Once he finished, he wiped his mouth with his napkin.

I finished my quiche and coffee then stood. “Okay. When I get back, hopefully, we’ll have the internet working, and I’ll build the website.”

“Sounds good.” We took our plates in the kitchen, and I put his lunch into the refrigerator. Once we washed everything, he said, “Thank you.”

I had no idea why he thanked me. I was the one who needed to repay him. We gathered our things and walked to the truck. Once inside, I said, “And I’ll bid and book more jobs for you as soon as I have access to more than just my phone data.”

He winked at me. “Helping out and keeping the day bright by working together sounds great to me.”

True. Every day promised new possibilities. I hummed as we headed to a newly constructed home.

My mind buzzed. With skills like Warren had and following architecture plans that can be bought online, I thought he could probably better design any one of those cookie-cutter homes. We parked. Once we crossed the threshold, a dark-haired woman opened the door then shooed her children up the stairs.

She didn’t notice me at all, but as she and Warren spoke about ceiling fans, she played with her necklace as if she wanted to take him to her bedroom.

I unboxed the first of six fans and, when he went up on his ladder, I handed him the first one. “So the owner was interested in you,” I whispered.

He looked at me like I was crazy. “She’s a mom with small children.”

It was sweet that he had no idea how sexy he was.

We worked fast, but my lips tingled as I thought about him kissing me. I knew he wouldn’t, but those glances made my knees feel like jelly. That mother stared at Warren like he was dinner.

I hoped he never noticed her. Jealousy made me cold, and my hair stood on end. As we finished the last fan, my pulse zipped. As we picked everything up, I said, “I’ll start paying my half of the rent this month.”

I wasn’t sure why I randomly brought it up—probably the chill on my skin caused by the fact someone else might take him away, and then I would have nothing.

He shook his head and finished with the wire. “Just keep me fed like you usually do, and I’m happy enough.”

My phone beeped. I glanced at a message from Jeff saying he would call me soon. Warren smiled as we finished cleaning up and said, “Looks like my brother wants to talk to you soon.”

If I was divorced and available, I needed to keep Warren only as my friend and business partner. Helping him was now helping me too. However, my stomach fluttered as if I’d lied to myself. I ignored it and smiled. “Hopefully with good news.”

He led me out. “You deserve that.”

I waited at the door while the mother flirted and Warren took his pay. Once we left and were back in the truck, I said, “You don’t know half of it.”

He didn’t move. “Tell me, then.”

My heart thundered. He had no idea what it was like to be lonely. I swallowed and realized he would never understand what it was like to wait and not believe he had the ability to do anything. I wished I was stronger, but I gave off a laugh that didn’t sound as jovial as I wished. “Let’s check on the internet so I can get to work. I have a schedule to make for you.”

He paid me then drove off. “Sounds good.”

I didn’t count the cash. “What made you decide to become a general contractor? Were you practicing before?”

“Not really. I applied for my general contracting license on New Year’s and dawdled to start my gap year. I love my family and was there when some of my brothers got married. I put it off till my birthday.”

“Age motivated you to venture out on your own?”

“Sort of. Now, I’m happy I started in the summer and not the middle of winter.”

“Sounds nice.” I stared at his profile, aching to be his.

“We’re home.”

Right. My body buzzed as we walked together, but at the door, I saw a brown box. I raised an eyebrow. “You have a package.”

He laughed and opened the door. “Always, but that one’s for you.”

My mouth dropped open. I hadn’t expected him to flirt, so I hugged the box and brought it in with me. I shook it and asked, “What is it?”

He went to the refrigerator and grabbed his lunch for later. “Open it when I head out. First, tell me the internet works.”

I glanced at the laptop. The signal was there, so I nodded. “It’s on.” Then I opened the package, took out a red dress, and closed my eyes. The silky feel against me made me pause, but then I met his gaze across the room and said, “You didn’t need to get me clothes.”

He shrugged and headed to the door. “I thought you’d look pretty in that dress.”

I followed him to say goodbye but I whispered, “No guy has ever made me feel attractive like you do.”

He traced my cheek. “Whoever you were near must have been blind or stupid, as you’re the most beautiful woman I ever met because it comes from inside you.”

I believed him. My lips tingled to kiss him. Our breaths were close, as we were inches apart, but my phone beeped.

Heat rushed into my face as I said, “Your brother texted.”

He opened the door and waved. “When you talk to him, tell him I said hi. I have to go. See you tonight.”

“See you.” My heart beat faster. I’d wanted to confide in Warren entirely because he was the best man I’d ever met. Soon, I would have to tell him everything.