Page 19 of The Last Time

“You got a new table?” I point out, noticing it wasn’t there before.

“Yeah, I needed somewhere to work this summer.”

She already has her laptop set up, and papers spread about.

“Well, I’ll let you get back to work. Is it gonna be a problem that I’ll be working around you today? Most of the work I have to do is in the kitchen.”

She waves her hand in the air. “No problem at all. I’ll just pop on my headphones. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Good deal.”

I start to move things around the kitchen as I bring in pipes and tools. It doesn’t take me too long before I start to cut holes around the first floor, making a mess as I go.

I hope she doesn’t kill me after all the scrubbing she did in the house. I try to sweep piles of drywall dust as I go so she doesn’t have to see too much of a mess. Another thing I never do for others. Mess is part of the work, and I generally don’t worry about it until the end of the day.

Luckily, even though I’m working near her, I get lost in the work for a bit.

After about an hour, I can feel the sweat start to run down my face. The sun is beating down through the windows. I’m in the foyer as I try to get the pipe that runs upstairs replaced. The patch I cut is a bit higher, making me have to get on my toes to get it secure.

I steal a glance out the window at the lake but notice her eyes on me from the kitchen table. Well, they are zeroed in on my stomach where I feel my shirt riding up.

She is lost in some thought right now. When she realizes I’m watching her, she sits up straight and quickly looks down at her computer.

I smile to myself, then get back to work.

Busted.

She was totally checking me out.

I like that she can’t help but have her eyes on me. There’s this lost part of me that I feel like her presence is awakening. It’s been dead for years. I know it’s dangerous for that part to come alive—I’m still a battered, bruised man.

On the other hand, it feels good.

After working to get this pipe in, the damn thing is struggling to go in. I realize I need a different tool that I think I left in the kitchen. I turn around to go grab it, but as I start to walk there, I stop in my tracks.

Charlotte has her headphones on and is mouthing the words to some song that must be playing. She has clearly gotten lost in the song and forgotten I’m here.

Her shoulders begin to move as she really gets into it. I creep over to the island and lean against it as I continue to watch the show.

The longer I watch, the more dramatic her dancing gets. It’s frickin’ adorable and sexy at the same time. I love getting a glimpse at her with her guard down. I hate that she has to forget I’m here for her guard to come down.

It takes about a full minute before her eyes meet mine. A look of horror flashes across her face.

She rips off her headphones, while I continue resting against the counter, arms crossed, and a huge grin on my face.

“How long have you been watching?” she demands in a piercing voice.

I shrug my shoulders. “Long enough to see a pretty good show that you just put on. That must be some song you’ve got on. What are you listening to?”

“None of your damn business. That’s what,” she fires back.

I laugh to myself. “Aww. Don’t be embarrassed. It was a great performance.”

She sighs. “And to think I was gonna be nice and ask if you wanted to have lunch if I ordered something.”

That intrigues me. “That was thoughtful of you. Just so you know, if you asked, I would’ve said yes.”

I don’t give her the chance to reply. Instead, I push off the counter and grab my tool, then head back to the foyer.

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