Page 20 of The Last Time

The pipe is giving me hell, but I eventually get it in.

All I have left to do now is the second-floor bathroom.

I grab my tools and start bringing everything that I need upstairs. Once I get set up in the bathroom, I hear footsteps approaching. I’m on my hands and knees under the sink but I turn my head to see Charlotte leaning against the doorframe.

She looks slightly amused.

“You know, I thought plumbers were supposed to be old, fat, and have their ass crack showing every time they were in that position.”

I smile over my shoulder. “Can’t do anything about the old and fat part.”

Her eyebrows raise. “Oh, but the ass crack thing is still on the table?”

“It’ll cost you extra,” I say with a wink.

Her head falls back as she lets out a laugh. “Nah, I guess I can’t afford the good stuff. I’m on a tight budget. Anyway,” she takes a breath, then continues, “I think I’m over the embarrassment of being caught dancing and singing to myself. Still interested in that lunch?”

“I could go for some food,” I tell her.

“Cool. It’s on me. I’ll go order us some sandwiches. Anything you don’t like?”

“No, I’m not really that picky.”

“I’ll let you know when it’s here.”

“Thanks, Charlotte.”

After she’s gone, I take a deep breath that I must’ve been holding in.

Get a hold of yourself, man. She just asked you if you were hungry.

I know that’s what it seems, but it feels like more than that. It feels like she is extending some kind of olive branch to me despite the way I’ve treated her since she’s been back. There’s an obvious attraction between the two of us, and part of me thinks it’s dangerous to spend time in her presence. But the part of me that’s drawn to her doesn’t give a shit. Whatever it takes to keep feeling the way being around her makes me feel.

I work as fast as I can under the sink, wanting to get these pipes done before lunch. After that, all I will have to do is work on the shower, and I’ll be done.

Just as I’m twisting the connector on tightly, I hear familiar footsteps coming up the stairs.

“Hey,” she says as she appears in front of me. “Firstly, food is here.”

“Alright,” I put down my pliers and look up at her, “and secondly?”

“Secondly, can you please, please, please put the water back on? I have to pee so bad.”

She begins bouncing from one foot to the other.

I chuckle to myself as I stand up.

“Yeah, I think I can manage that. I’ll run downstairs to turn it on, then meet you in the kitchen.”

I walk past her and start to walk down the hall.

“I thought you said you’d run downstairs?” she says, hot on my heel.

“It was a figure of speech. Do you really need me to run?”

“I have had to pee for hours, Asher. Ineedyou to run,” she says with urgency.

“Or I could just take my good old time and walk slower,” I say as I take my step at a glacier pace.

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