Page 3 of His Handyman Skills

“Just one,” Leo says, shooting me a grin. “I’d like to pay for my new friend’s meal. She was gracious enough to let me join her. It’s the least I can do.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I say when she walks away.

“I want to,” he says as he finishes his drink before pulling out his wallet. Then, when Julie hands him our check, he passes a few bills to her, telling her to keep the change. “It was nice meeting you, Shayla. Maybe we’ll run into each other again.”

“Yeah,” I say, watching him leave with wide eyes. “I hope we do.”

“Me too,” he replies as he gets up and leaves the restaurant.

As I watch him go, disappointment seeps in. He definitely turned my mood around and made me feel better, but it feels like our time together was far too short. He was funny, attractive, and interesting. I’ve never felt so drawn to a man before. While I’m walking home, I remember that Nicole said he was a regular and decide that any time my roommate’s acting up, I’ll head to Lucky’s for refuge.

Chapter Two

Leo

Every time I’ve dined at Lucky’s, I’ve always been seated alone. Even if the place is packed, I usually wait until there’s a table available for me. A few days ago, when Nicole asked if I’d be open to joining someone, I thought it was odd, but said yes regardless – I don’t have time to meet new people with the kind of job I work, so I’ll never turn down an opportunity for human connection.

I wasn’t expecting to meet someone so sweet. I could tell Shayla’s typically shy, but it didn’t take much to get her talking. I’m fairly certain she had more to say about that roommate of hers, but I doubt she wanted to throw all of her complaints at someone she just met. As wrong as it is to wish she has more issues with her roommate, I want to see her again.

As luck would have it, two days after our first meeting I spot her brilliant red hair as soon as I walk into Lucky’s. She’s sitting in a booth alone with her back to me. I can’t tell if she has food in front of her or not, but I take my chances and bypass Nicole at the host stand. Hopefully, Shayla will be open to me joining her It meal, even if she’s already halfway through it.

“Fancy seeing you here,” I say when I stop next to her table. When she looks up at me with wide eyes, I ask, “Is this seat taken?”

“No,” she replies, giving me a sincere smile. “It’s all yours.”

“I hope I’m not intruding,” I say, looking at the salad in front of her. She’s barely touched it, so it seems like the timing has worked out perfectly.

“You aren’t,” she assures me. “Spending time with someone friendly would be nice.”

“Roommate troubles again?” I guess, opening up the floor for her to vent her troubles if she needs to.

“How’d you know?” she says, the corner of her mouth lifting as her beautiful blue eyes meet mine. My gaze is drawn to the dimple on her cheek. I know she’s having a hard time at home right now, but I can’t help but admire how absolutely beautiful she is.

“Lucky guess,” I say, glancing at our server walking over with my Diet Coke. “Have you ordered anything else?”

“I got the smothered chicken,” she replies as my drink hits the table.

“That sounds good,” I say to our server. “Can I do that with green beans and a baked potato?”

I wait while she scribbles that down. Then, when she walks away, I turn back to Shayla and ask, “What happened today?”

“Just the usual nonsense,” Shayla sighs, pushing a cherry tomato around her bowl. “The apartment is a mess, her crappy music is too loud, and the atmosphere was just bad. I needed to clear my head and have dinner, so I came here.”

“What an awful way to live,” I tut, wishing there was something I could do to alleviate her troubles. As much as I like seeing her here, there’s a slump to her shoulders that no one as young as her should have. Actually… there might be something I can do to help her out. “You know, if you ever need to get away or want a quiet place to decompress, you can come to my house.”

Shayla looks up from her salad, a curious expression on her face. Then, after a beat, she says, “I’d like that. I can’t remember the last time I had some peace and quiet. It feels like Daisy’s always home.”

She’s so sure of her answer that it throws me for a loop. I was expecting her to need some coaxing or reassurance that the invitation is sincere. Apparently the situation at her place is worse than she’s let on.

“Your boyfriend won’t mind?” I ask, unsure of why those are the words that come out of my mouth. I guess it’s my way of trying to suss out if I should stomp down the attraction I’m feeling for her.

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Shayla giggles, ducking her head and grabbing her water. Before she takes a sip, she mutters, “Actually, I’ve never had a boyfriend before. I don’t really talk to many people.”

“Really?” I ask, realizing how innocent she is all at once. She might be single, but that doesn’t mean I can make a move on her like I might with anyone else I’m interested in. I’m going to have to control myself. “Someone as pretty as you? I find that hard to believe.”

“You’re just saying that,” she mutters, looking up at me through her eyelashes. Her cheeks turn bright pink, and I’m able to see a smattering of freckles.

“I promise you that I’m not,” I tell her, enjoying the way she grins at the compliment. “I only asked about a boyfriend because I couldn’t imagine a woman as pretty and kind as you not having one.”

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