Page 4 of Cementing Her Love

He cleared his throat, but didn’t apologize for getting caught. Another flush of warmth settled in my lower belly from the realization he found me attractive. But that had to be where it stopped. I couldn’t act on anything with him. He needed to be firmly in the friend/brother of my best friend zone.

“How about we meet at Hart’s Pass for dinner or a drink or whatever? That way we can make any changes sooner rather than later since we’re pouring the floor next week.”

Dinner or whatever? The way he said that word, then let his gaze fall to my chest, made me yearn for the whatever option. But whatever was not in the cards. I’d promised Brenley I’d handle this so we could stay on schedule.

Sighing, I took a quick sip of my coffee. “I’ll need to see if I can find someone to hang out with my daughter, Aria. She’s only seven, thinks she’s seventeen, but obviously can’t be on her own if I’m late. Can I text you?”

“You can text me anytime. Do you have your phone handy?”

Colton followed me way too close as I walked back out to the front of the shop and grabbed my purse. “Okay, what’s your number? I’ll type it in and, wait, what are you doing?”

His fingers gently wrapped around mine, tugging the cell out of my hand.

“Go deal with your flower emergency. I’ll put my number in your contacts, along with my address, just in case.” He winked, then waved me toward the end of the counter.

In a daze from another dose of adrenaline at Colton’s touch, I nodded and did as instructed. Lord knows how I would react if he’d leaned in and kissed me. If I hadn’t already made a promise to myself to put all thoughts of seeing where our attraction would lead us, I might just have complied.

If this was how I reacted to him from a simple request in my place of business, how was I going to handle myself with him outside of work mode?

4

COLTON

I’d never sweated waiting to hear back from a woman as much as I did in the hours it took for Shayla to text me. I prayed she’d found a babysitter and could meet me for a quick meal. I had no doubt that she’d like at least one of the stamps I had made for the shop, but the mixed signals she’d given me this morning had me barking at my crew more than once.

We were working on the summer home of my brother-in-law’s best friend and one of the producers for his adventure television show, Globetrekking. Hayden’s friend had been easy to deal with, but I just wanted the day over so I could meet up with Shayla. Any slight delay as the day wore on had me falling back into ranger form. And that life was over. Not that it hadn’t been exciting at times, I was just ready for the next chapter.

The spring day was unusually hot and by lunch I knew I’d have to find time to make it home for a shower. There was no way I was showing up at the restaurant in cement caked jeans, smelling as if I’d run a half-marathon.

“It’s gotta be a woman. He’s never like this. Yeah, I don’t think he’s dated since I started working for him.”

It took me a while to catch on that my crew was talking about me. Not until the cement had finally set enough that I could begin laying out the mats. The design the homeowner had chosen would be a head turner once the patio was complete. Taking pride in my work, I ignored the gossiping behind me and pulled the first stamp up. Satisfaction filled me. There was nothing like seeing the near-finished project that I’d designed. I enjoyed the hard work, being outside, knowing that something I created would be around for years to come and enjoyed just as long.

“Looks awesome boss.” Sammy, the college kid I took a chance on because I’m a sucker for lost souls, wore a sincere look.

“Alright, you smartasses, line up the rest of the mats. I’m not paying you to critique my mood. And yeah, it’s a woman, but that’s all you’re getting out of me. Now let’s get serious and finish the job.”

Forty-five minutes later, the patio was fully stamped, and the crew was finishing with the clean-up when my text tone chimed. Crossing my fingers, I walked away toward my truck for some privacy. I didn’t want the guys seeing my reaction, good or bad. I know I shouldn’t put too much meaning behind Shayla’s decision to meet with me after work, but I already felt like I’d wasted enough time since I’d moved back to Pineville.

Today’s interaction with her further confirmed what I already felt. And having her in my arms had been the biggest stroke of luck I’d ever had. She. Is. The. One. And I couldn’t wait to see her reaction when I told her.

I didn’t expect her to feel the same instant knowing. Some people needed a bit of time with someone before they knew if they liked, let alone loved someone. But I still remember the day last year when I first saw her. I’d felt like I’d been struck by lightning and if I didn’t talk to her, I’d regret it.

It was at my sister’s wedding, and she’d been a beautiful bride, but Shayla was stunning as her maid of honor.

She didn’t wear much makeup, didn’t need it. Her glowing light bronze skin, curvy hips and expressive eyes caught my attention immediately. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat people and I had a front row to her gentle reassurance as Brenley walked down the aisle, then stood next to Hayden, overcome with emotion as she read her vows.

Unfortunately, her daughter had become ill during the reception, so I never got my chance to approach Shayla. But I never forgot the feelings she set off in me. In fact, they carried me through my decision to retire from the Army and move back to Pineville.

If someone had told me ten, five years ago, hell even the day before I first saw Shayla that I would fall in love with a woman at first sight, then not even speak to her for almost a year, I would have laughed my ass off.

But this morning, with her in my arms, and seeing her reaction to me, I didn’t want to wait one more day to let her know my intentions.

I read her text and had to bite my tongue to keep from shouting out in triumph. At dinner, once we finished with the discussion on which design she wanted, the real work would begin: convincing her I wasn’t crazy and, two, I wasn’t going anywhere.

“These are awesome, Colton. In fact, I’m not sure which one I like better.” Shayla beamed at me. I could have died a happy man right then and there. This was going better and quicker than I’d hoped. Now I can focus on her. And me and us getting to know each other beyond business.

“Sleep on it and the first one you think about after you wake up is the one you should go with.” I set aside the samples, making sure to brush my fingers against hers. Any excuse to touch her and I was going to take it. Not in a creepy, intrusive way. Just enough to let her know where my interest was. It was on her. Not on the other customers or the servers, or any of the various distractions in the very busy pub.

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