Page 7 of Love Under Construction

“Ah, man, I think part of it was luck. And a whole lot of hard work. The real estate business was booming when I got started, and it’s still holding pretty steady. Steady enough that I’m able to turn a profit. Didn’t hurt that my parents and grandparents gifted me a nice down payment on my first investment property when I graduated high school. Of course, they didn’t realize that’s what I planned on doing with the money at the time, but it all worked out.”

“And Olivia’s dad, he taught you how to do renovations and shit?”

I nod enthusiastically. “I told you, my dad was always good with business. Mr. Hawthorne was good with his hands. He loved to build and fix things. I worked for him for a few summers in high school, before I worked for Atlantic Construction in college, doing bigger things.”

“Good for you. At least I know who to call when I’m ready to settle down with a white picket fence and all that shit.” Harley laughs.

“Yeah, I might know a guy. He might even cut you a good deal.” I jest. “Between us, I’m hoping I didn’t make a mistake by taking on this job with The Mason Center though. This project is one of those things that can make or break me, ya know?”

“Nah, I wouldn’t worry too much. The man in charge would have never hired you if they didn’t think you were the man for the job.”

I can only hope he’s right.

* * *

Showingup at the job site first thing Monday morning, the last thing I expect to find is Liv waiting inside the construction trailer. But she’s here in all of her blonde hair, blue eyed glory and looking like every teenager’s hot teach fantasy come to life.

Or at least mine anyway. There’s no way that my body hasn’t taken notice. I have to shift awkwardly to tried and hide the effect she has on me.

“Damnit.” She crosses her arms and stares me down. I half expect her to break out a ruler and smack my hands, or give me dentition. “I hoped, you would change your mind and go back home.”

“What are you doing here?” I question, not failing to miss for one second that she doesn’t seem all that surprised to see me here.

“Meeting with the architect.”

“Uhm. Okay but, why? That’s the part I’m confused about.” Really confused. She’s a teacher, to elementary school kids. She shouldn’t be here right now. Right?

“To review the plans and make sure he’s included all of the accommodations these kids are going to need.”

Okay. Maybe I should have read up a little more on what I’d be doing or more importantly, who all is involved. I’m not about to let her know that though. “Right. Of course.”

“You have no clue what you’re working on; do you?” Liv calls my bluff.

“We’re building a school here.”

“Not just any school, Jameson. A schoolandtherapy center for children with special needs. A place where parents will be able to find everything they need for their children. In one place.”

Suddenly it hits me. “This was your concept?”

For the first time since she found out I showed up in NYC, Olivia smiles brightly. “Yes. It was. I pitched the idea to Mr. Eastman, and here we are.”

Holy shit. I always knew Liv would do something great with that brain of hers. I remember her talking about something one time at a party her parents hosted over the summer between college terms. She was going on about this vision she had - to create a place just like this.

“Sorry, traffic was a mess,” Leo Eastman walks in behind us with the architect on his trail. “Jameson, I see you’ve met Olivia. This is Chase; he’s got all the plans. Shall we take a look?”

And just like that, we’re moving on. Changing the subject from how kick ass Olivia is, toseeingfirst hand, what she’s come up with and how it’s to be carried out.

I stand back and watch in awe as Olivia goes everything with a fine tooth comb and I realize something else...this isn’t going to be an easy or quick job. There is so much going into this and as the guy running things on the job it’s going to be up to me to make sure that the whole team is on board, doing precisely what they’re supposed to do.

I want to make this happen. I want to make it perfect for Liv.

“And what is our timeline again on this project?” I ask as we finish up reviewing the blueprints.

“Six months, minimum. That’s why we called you and your crew in. You came highly recommended to us from a donor when our original builders backed out,” Leo says.

“I sure hope you’re up for the task,” Liv murmurs loud enough for me to hear.

“It’s a tight deadline, Sir, but if anyone can get it done, I know my guys can,” I assure Leo though I’m looking right at Olivia.

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