Page 14 of The Last Time

Charlotte

Sandingaporchsucks.This is the work of the devil. Every muscle in my body is screaming at me to stop. Who the hell knew it would take so much stamina to get this shit off?

I sure as hell didn’t. I thought the sander was going to do all the work for me, but the strength it takes to push down and keep it in place is brutal.

But I’m too damn proud and stubborn to admit to myself or Asher that I’m in over my head.

The front door swings open, and the guys walk out laughing about something. I take the chance to look at Josh’s unrestrained laugh compared to Asher’s careful and controlled one.

The two men are so different. Josh is good-looking, too, but he’s also easy-going and kind—the way Asher used to be.

When Asher approaches, I turn off the sander, bracing myself for another insult, like how badly my breath smells.

Honestly, it probably does. They’ve had the water off all day, minus the hour they were gone for lunch.

“The master shower is working, and the water is turned back on,” Asher says as he leans against the railing.

“That is such a relief.” My shoulders sag at the thought of relaxing under a stream of steaming hot water.

His eyes look between me and the sander with slight amusement. “You know, I could get the porch and back deck done for you. It would save you a lot of time.”

My eyebrows scrunch together in annoyance. “I’m aware I could pay you to do it, but seeing as my father only left me this place and not a dime to go with it, I can’t afford for you to do everything.”

I think I see a faint glint of guilt in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I was just letting you know my company could provide the service if you needed.”

Crap, now I feel bad.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for my words to come out so harsh.”

He looks bewildered by my quick apology. Clearly, not something he does so easily to someone.

“No problem. Anyway, I’ll be back out here tomorrow to finish the work. Josh has to be back at his current job site tomorrow. I’ll be here bright and early so I can try to knock out the rest of the project tomorrow.”

It’s so hard to figure him out. His actions say he’s a decent man who runs a good company and offers to help a relative stranger out when they’re in a bind, even if it means him giving up his weekend. But his words and demeanor say something entirely different.

When he opens his mouth, his actions are overshadowed by the sting of his ire.

“I appreciate it. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I tell him.

Josh smiles at me. “It was nice to meet you, Charlotte.”

“You too, Josh. Thanks for helping out on such short notice.”

“My pleasure. I hope I’ll see you around this summer.”

He winks and solutes Asher, who is currently giving him a death stare, which only seems to make Josh laugh as he walks away.

“Bye, Charlotte,” Asher says in his deep timbered voice.

He walks away, and I turn the sander back on. I hate how there’s still a part of me that’s so attracted to him. Get a grip, Charlotte.

I begin to mindlessly sand the same spot while my eyes remain glued to Asher. He opens his truck door but doesn’t hop in right away. Instead, I watch him reach in his front seat for something, but I can’t see what it is.

His hand grabs the back of his shirt, and the next thing I know, I’m staring at his bare back.

I audibly gasp. Thankfully, I have this sander on, so no one can hear me losing my shit over here.

Every damn muscle in his back is thick and toned. My jaw is on the floor, but I can’t seem to pick it up.

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