Page 43 of Suddenly Entwined

“You can’t come on the site without PPE,” I tell her, figuring that’s the best way to get her back into her car.

“That’s okay. I’m not really planning to stick around. Just wanted to bring you that.”

“Appreciate it,” I say, steering her around by her shoulder. “I’ll walk you back to your car.”

“Berg,” she says my name with a laugh. “You don’t need to escort me off the premises.”

“I’m not.”

I peer over my shoulder for any sight of Chris.

“Really? Cause that’s sort of exactly what it seems like. Is this a no girls allowed worksite?”

“Of course not,” I splutter. “We have women that work with us. Lynn. Lynn does a lot of our electrical work.”

“I believe you, Berg. I’m only joking around. Is my brother here?” She leans to see around me. “I should at least say hello.”

Absolutely not.

“Oh, he’s around somewhere. Busy, though.”

“Alright.” Her eyes narrow with scepticism.

“Drop off go okay?”

I know it did, before the braid photo she sent a quick message letting me know that they’d had no issues getting to school on time.

“Yep, smooth like butter.”

“Good, good.”

I can’t stop looking at her lips. I need to get it together. Crushing on the nanny? I’m a suburban, middle-aged cliché.

“Hi, Dean. Dean Whitaker.”

I glare at my friend’s outstretched hand and the grin that’s a little too roguish for my liking.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay over there?”

Caro shakes Dean’s hand.

“Nice to meet you. But, apparently I need to get out of here because I’m violating about eleven rules by not having a hard hat.”

“Oh, Berg totally has an extra in the back of his–”

I smack his stupidly lean stomach.

I’ll kill him. The man lives on a boat, after all. I’m sure drownings aren’t that suspicious.

I throw my hands up in the air. “Yeah, too bad it won’t fit her.”

They’re adjustable, but I’m banking on her not knowing that.

Caro glances between us, lips curling with bemusement at our antics.

“Okay, well, enjoy your Dunkaroos, big guy.”

She pats my shoulder platonically. I’d rather kiss her goodbye again.

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