Page 4 of Tempting Tessa

My first appointment of the morning goes easily and it’s time for me to head to Tessa’s house. I pull up and notice that the roof looks like it was damaged in the bad storm that we had about a month ago. I also notice some siding and gutter damage that probably goes along with that. I get out of my truck and walk up to the front door, ring the doorbell, and wait.

The door opens, and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen is standing in front of me. I lose my train of thought and almost forget where I am and what I’m supposed to be doing. She doesn’t notice her effect on me and immediately starts talking to me. I have to remind my dick to stay down. I don’t need to start sporting erections while meeting with potential clients.

“Hi, you must be Jake. I’m Tessa. Thank you so much for getting me on your calendar so quickly.”

I snap out of my foggy state and stick my hand out to accept hers.

“No problem. Caroline told me you needed someone quickly and that you needed someone trustworthy. Our company has been around for over 30 years and we strive to be the best. I noticed a few things outside when I pulled up that look like they are issues, but why don’t you go over what you are looking to have fixed or replaced.”

“Sounds great. I’m sure you noticed the roof damage. That was caused from the hailstorm we had a few weeks back. My insurance company already had an adjuster out and approved for the entire roof to be replaced, as well as the gutters and some of the siding. Inside, I just had a pipe break over the weekend that flooded my kitchen. I now need the ceiling fixed as the water came from my washing machine upstairs, as well as the kitchen flooring. I called my insurance company this morning to report the leak and damage and they are sending an adjuster out this afternoon to take a look and let me know what they will cover. Even if they don’t cover it all I need to get it done, so I’m not worried about waiting for their answer to get started.”

“That’s all very doable. Let me look at the kitchen, as well as your laundry room, so I can make some notes and then we can head outside to look at those issues.”

After gathering the measurements I need from inside, we head outside. Tessa hands me the paperwork from her insurance company that lists everything they deemed damaged and will be covering. I pull out my ladder to climb up on the roof to make sure they didn’t miss anything. Once I have verified their list is complete, I can put together a complete estimate and timeline of when we can get her repairs all completed and hopefully it will be within her budget.

“Have you thought of what type of flooring you want to put in the kitchen?”

“I have a few ideas. I’ve wanted to replace the flooring for a while now and just haven’t gotten around to it. I’m leaning toward a hand scraped hardwood. I know for sure I do not want tile or linoleum.”

“Sounds great. Here’s a list of the local stores that carry the flooring brands we recommend, otherwise, if you have something you already know you want that is local, we can also install that. Once I’m back in the office, I can start working up the estimate to send over to you. Depending on what flooring you choose, we can finalize the estimate.”

“Perfect, how far out are you currently booking?”

“Your jobs are all fairly easy and quick, so depending on how quickly you pick the flooring we could actually get you squeezed in starting next week. We are scheduled to start a new build sometime late next week or the week after depending on the ground prep being completed. If we can’t get you in before we start that, then we are looking at the end of summer.”

“Oh wow! I guess I’ll choose the flooring right away then. Sounds like the perfect time to just get everything done and out of the way.”

“Here’s my card, plus you already have my cell number. Let me know as soon as you pick a flooring option so we can get it ordered. Once I have that information, I can finish the estimate for your approval.”

“Thank you so much for your help and how quickly you were able to get me in.”

“No problem, I will talk to you soon.”

I get back in my truck and drive off. Tessa stays on my mind the rest of the afternoon. It was obvious she doesn’t realize just how beautiful she is. It was hard to not just stare at her the entire time I was with her. I had to keep myself from just babbling around her. I need to ask Caroline more about her the next time I see her, and ask her why she has never introduced us before. I didn’t notice a ring on her finger and believe me, I checked.

Tessa

Jake left and I couldn’t shake how handsome he was. I haven’t really been attracted to any men since Matt died, but I know deep down that I’m lonely and need to move past my guilt of moving on since Matt’s death. He has been gone for 5 years, and I’m not getting any younger. If I ever want to have more kids I need to work past the last of my grief and anger over his death and allow myself to love someone again. Caroline and my sister-in-law, Sara, both tried to set me up on blind dates a couple of years ago and they both ended horribly. I just couldn’t bring myself to open up and the dates ended with dinner. Matt is still the only man I have ever kissed, the only man who I have slept with, and let me tell you I miss sex like crazy. The last five years I’ve gone through a fair share of batteries and battery operated boyfriends. My main concern has always been Ty. I don’t need a revolving door of men in and out of his life, but he also needs a dad figure in his life. My dad, along with my brothers, Matt’s dad, and Matt’s brother have all stepped up and tried to provide that for him but they can’t be here all the time.

Considering Jake’s company is so busy, I’m on a tight schedule if I want them to be the ones to complete the repairs on my house. I need to get the flooring picked out ASAP, so I head for the store to pick something out. On my way, I call my mom to check on Ty. He stayed there last night so he would be out of the way this morning with Jake coming over and the adjuster coming out this afternoon.

“Hey, Mom, how is everything going today? Ty behaving?”

“Hi, sweetie, yes, he is behaving just fine. We’re just about to head outside to play until lunchtime. Then after lunch I figured we would have some quiet time with a movie. How did your appointment this morning go?”

“It went great! Jake measured everything and gave me a list of local flooring companies to go choose flooring from. If I can get it selected quickly, they can squeeze me in next week before they start a large job that will last all summer. I am actually on my way to the store now to see if I can find what I want.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Sounds like it will all work out perfect. With you running all around today and dealing with the insurance adjuster, how about you plan on just having dinner over here tonight when you come to get Ty?”

“That sounds perfect, Mom, thank you so much. I’ll head over once I’m done with the adjuster this afternoon.”

I arrive at the first business on Jake’s list and head for the flooring department. I quickly text Caroline to see if she’s busy.

Tessa: Hey, are you busy? I met with Jake a little while ago and I’m now looking at flooring options.

Caroline: Just at home with the boys, send me pictures of what you pick out!

Tessa: Will do, and um hello, why have you never mentioned Jake to me before? Is he single? What’s his story? He was HOT!

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