Page 9 of The Last Time

“We’re looking at about three grand for the pipes.”

That’s not a small chunk of change, but I was expecting worse. My blood pressure begins to come down a bit.

I can handle that. Three grand and two days.

“When can you start?”

“I need to call my buddy to see when he’s free, but I think we could start tomorrow. It’s Sunday, so I wasn’t supposed to work, which means I have nothing on the schedule. Monday, I can move some things around.”

I sigh with relief. “Oh my gosh! Thank you so much. I really appreciate you doing this for me.”

He looks at me like the words I said are offensive. “I’m not doing anything foryou. I’m doing my job.”

“Oh, right. Sorry, I wasn’t implying anything. I…just…appreciate it.”

He nods his head.

“Moving on,” he says as he looks back down at his notes. I try to focus on his words, but I’m too stunned at the cruel, bitter man sitting in front of me. “There is definitely some mold in the room upstairs with the leaks. Since we have to rip out drywall to replace pipes, we can take care of that, no problem.”

“I didn’t even think about that. Will you be repairing the drywall after?”

“We can. It will be another five hundred, but that will extend the project by another couple of days. I will send in my drywall crew afterward to get that fixed up.” I nod my head, trying to remain polite and upbeat despite his overall demeanor. “Aside from that, it does just seem like maybe some wear and tear that needs to be updated, but nothing too bad. I’d say you could sneak by with the roof for another couple of years.”

“I do want to repaint the outside of the house, and I would like to refinish the hardwood floors.”

“Those are easy. We could do those in a matter of a couple of weeks. I could work up a quote for you on the rest and email it to you this week.”

“That would be great.”

He pulls out a piece of paper. “Just fill this out so I have your contact information. I generally just need your email so I can make sure to get you the quote.”

He begins to stand up and continues, “Other than that, I will be in touch, but I do believe I will be out here first thing in the morning to start on the pipes.”

“Sounds good. Thanks again,” I say while handing him my information back, and he walks off the stairs of the back deck.

“It’s my job,” he reiterates. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With that, he disappears around the house. I sit back down on my chair and look out at the lake.

Gosh, I remember seeing his parents’ boat go by on the water and wishing I could catch a glimpse of him without a shirt on.

I was young and hormones were raging.

Something must’ve happened. You don’t turn that ice cold in life for no reason. I wonder what it could’ve been.

Chapter Four

Asher

“Fuckingasshole,”Imutterto myself as I drive away from her house.

I know I was a dick. I’m usually guarded and quiet but not so obviously rude. I wasn’t expecting her to open the door wearing next to nothing and looking so damn good.

Why does that piss me off so much?

It shouldn’t. I see plenty of beautiful women all the time. Most of them practically throw themselves at me at the bar or at Layla’s café.

This is different. I don’t know what it is, but I felt my heart beat faster, and my body started to react. I haven’t had a reaction like that to a woman since I met Lauren. It was like my entire body came to life, and everything else around me faded away.

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