Page 35 of Maid in Heaven

“It’s certainly not for me. I like the snow. Feels like they have one season year-round down there.”

Ava smiled. “I’m glad you’re there for your daughter. There are a lot of deadbeat fathers in this world. It’s nice to see one that cares as much as you do. And, not to toot your horntoomuch, butfrom a business perspective,if it’s any consolation, I think your service isfairly genius.”

“You can toot my horn anytime.” Will smiled playfully. “Yeah, I can’t believe how much it’s already grown in such a short time. I started out with one client, and now I have so many that I’ve had to start a wait-list. I only showed up at your place because Madison called in a favor.”

“Well, now I feel like an ass.”

“Don’t.” He waved a hand at her. “But yeah, I enjoy what I do for the most part. And the money’s great. Hell, I’ll stand on my head or do a jig for what they pay me. I don’t mind looking a little silly if it makes peoplehappy. I get to do what I enjoy, and ultimately, I take a lot of pride in knowing I made people’s lives a little bit better and made their day a little bit brighter.”

“I’ve never met a man who enjoyed cleaning.” Ava chuckled.“You certainly are a unicorn of sorts.” She scoffed. “Hell, most of us are lucky to find one that can get their clothesinthe hamper instead ofon the floorbesideit. Drives me insane.”

Will smirked. “Yeah, it’s way too commonplace.”He stared out the frosted window for a moment and then returned his eyes to her. “I wouldn’t say this isthe bestlong-term gig. Eventually,I’ll age, and scrubbing on my knees will get old. People will start paying me to keep my clothes on.”

Ava laughed at that.

“But for now, it works.It would be cool one day tomanage like a fleet of other men doingthe same thing.What would that make me? Like a pimp or something?”

“Not unless they’re doing a lot more than cleaning.” She giggled. “I’d say supervisor or manager would be more apt.”

“Right.” a handsome smile curled onto his lips. His eyes tracedthe delicate line of her neck to the feminine curves of her collarbonebeneath the lapel of her petticoat.Her skin looked sensitive like it might respond to the brush of his stubbleor a trail ofsoftdownwardkisses.

“If you wanted to expand, you could make exponentially more.” She was starting to sound like a financial advisor, tugging Will from his momentary fantasy of where he wanted to press his lips…

“You have a decent client base already established, sounds like,” she continued. “There’s very littleoverheadbeyond, what, gloves, gas, and costumes? You don’t even buy your own chemicals,so that even lessens your expenses—”

“Whoa.” He heldup a hand. “Is this a date or a board meeting?”

“Sorry.” She looked truly embarrassed, flashing her green eyes to freezing couple out the window, brushing past the coffee shop arm-in-arm. “You’re right. I apologize. I wasn’t trying to overstep. Ijustknow a good business idea when I see it. Seeking out businesses with widerpotential was my sole job for over a decade.Occupational hazard.My apologies.”

“So what is it that you want to do now? Can you do the same for another corporation?”

“No. I signed a hefty five-year non-compete. Standard for my field.By then, so much will have changed, and I’llbe too far out of the loop, finger off the pulse of what’s a good buy and what’s a waste of time and effort.Atotally new avenueis, unfortunately, in order. It’s justoverwhelming.”

“I can only imagine. But you’rebright. You’re ano-nonsensewoman who takes no shit, I can tell.”

“Oh,I still have plenty of nonsense,” she chuckled.

“Oh,please. What’s your nonsense? You’re a little messy?Not a biggie. What else you got? A designer clothing addiction? AnOnly Fansfoot fetish page?”

“Come on. Nobody would subscribe to see myOnly Fans,” she grumbled.

“I mean, you’d have one subscriber right here.”He bounced his thick, manicured brows.

His flirty words made Ava’s stomach flutter.She motioned to her drink. “This is delicious. You were right about this place.”

“You should try my coffee. Man, I make ameanmug.”

Ava nodded, trying to hide her smile. “I’d like that.”

“What are you doing Friday evening?”

Ava’s eyes bolted from her coffee to his in a flash. “Huh?” She wasn’t certain she’d heard him right.

“Well,” he looked at his watch, “I only have my babysitter for another twenty minutes, but Friday, Starla’s spending the night at her friend’s house. I could do some light fare or charcuterie or something and make you one of the best cups of java you’ve ever had in your life.”

“Bold statement.” She arched an eyebrow at him.

“I can back it up. What do you say? I can text you my address.” Will smiled gently. “Say yes.”

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