Page 11 of Secret Billionaire

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“What do you mean I’m in charge?” Stan’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

“Listen Stan, you don’t really need me, you know what you’re doing. I’ll let the guys know that you’re the one in charge of this project. They all respect you,” Jesse said.

“You’re the brains of the outfit. I’m just the brawn,” Stan replied.

“Yeah right. You’re an engineer without the degree. You’ve got this bro. I’ve taken this other job on and it’s kind of an emergency.”

Stans eyes narrowed, “What job?”

“You remember Faye the owner of that new bar we were at last week? She really needs my help. She’s desperate. I couldn’t turn her down.”

“Wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with how attractive she is now, would it?”

Jesse grinned sheepishly, “It doesn’t hurt.”

“It’s not like you to put pleasure before business. You know how far behind we are.”

“Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking. I was telling myself to keep my big mouth shut the whole time, and then my lips started moving and what came out was ‘I’ll help’. Damnedest thing.”

Stan smirked, “Yeah I know what was doing the talkin’ and it wasn’t the brain in your head.”

“I’ll owe ya big time. I’ll still be available day and night if you have something come up. I’ll check in…I won’t completely abandon you guys.”

“You know you’re gonna catch hell from the guys. They’re going to have a field day with this one.”

Jesse shrugged. “I’m already prepared for that.”

“Well it’s your company. I’m just the foreman. You do what ya think’s best. At least it’s the guys’ favorite new hangout so we’ll get to watch over your shoulder after quittin’ time,” he grinned wickedly.

“Lucky me. I may have to pull one of the guys here and there for some of the work. Most of it I think I can handle by myself, but there are a few things that are a two-man job.”

“Like I said, you’re the boss and you sign the paychecks.”

“I just don’t want to put the rest of you in a bind. We’ll figure it out.”

Stan’s eye’s twinkled as he responded, “No worries here. We do all the work anyway. You just micromanage us. And I’m happy for ya. You’ve been crying in your beer for too long. Take it from me, find yourself a good woman and settle down. Don’t let Kelsey manipulate you. She had her chance and fucked up. It’s time to move on. You still get to have a life, too. How long’s it been since you and Kelsey split anyway, a year?”

“About that, but who’s counting?”

He clapped Jesse on the back and said, “Time to put the past behind you and have a little fun. You deserve it. You work way too hard my friend.”

“This is still going to be work. It’s just better scenery than working with the likes of you guys. Plus, she really needs the help. She’d probably have to shut down before she even got started if I hadn’t jumped in. She said as much. She said I’m saving her from financial ruin.”

“Ha! Nothing gets the loins more fired up than a damsel in distress.”

“Yeah, well there’s a lot of work to be done.”

Stan guffawed, “We’ll see how much work ya get done with that beautiful blonde as your backdrop.”

Jesses forehead furrowed, “Not much choice, the place is falling down. Listen, thanks man. I appreciate your understanding.”

Stan squeezed his friend’s shoulder, “No problem boss. I’m happy to help ya out. You’d give any of us the shirt off your back and then some. You already have. Don’t worry about a thing.”

Jesse smiled from ear to ear, “I’ll finish up the last bit of work at the Blakes’, then I’ll be free to get started on Faye’s place.”

Stan grinned, “Nothing wrong with doing the right thing, buddy. She looks like a good strong wind would blow her away.”

“I thought the same thing. I must admit, I do feel manly around her,” Jesse joked, flexing his biceps and sticking out his chest, cracking them both up.

“We’ve got your back. I’m happy to see that spark in your eyes again.”

He grinned. “What spark? There’s that overactive imagination of yours again,” Jesse said. “Let’s get going. I want to fill in the rest of the crew. It will be a bit of a juggling act for you because you’ll be handling both crews, but the condo complex is underway and going smoothly… should be fine.”

“I know where to find ya.”

Jesse held his hand to his forehead in a mock salute, “Thanks Stan.”

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