Page 21 of Reckless Harmony

“You use your money for the rescue?” Hollis asked.

“I try not to, but when donations are low, sometimes it’s a necessity.” Rayna shrugged. “It’s all good, though. I got some equipment from a Facebook local free group and use it at home.”

Rayna touched the equipment again, and Stark could practically see the yearning on her face from across the room. He walked toward them as she smiled at Hollis. “So, if you give me ten minutes, I’ll write up the estimate, and you can discuss it with your boss.”

“We can discuss it now.” Stark joined them, pretending not to notice how Rayna’s body stiffened or the irritation that flickered across her face before a mask of polite professionalism settled onto her features.

“Mr. Stark, this is Rayna Abrams,” Hollis said. “She works for -”

“We’ve met,” Rayna said.

“Ms. Abrams,” Stark said.

“Stark,” Rayna said.

Hollis studied them both, her dark brown eyes unreadable as thick tension filled the room. “I’ll leave the two of you to discuss the issue.”

She left the gym, and Rayna gave Stark a thin smile. “I believe the water pressure issue is from a leaking pipe.”

“You believe, or you know?” he asked.

Her nostrils flared, but she kept that thin smile on her face. “I know. I used a listening disc to detect and pinpoint the water leak.”

“This building is brand new, less than six months old. Why would the pipes be leaking?” He could hear the exasperation in his voice.

“Most likely, it happened during installation,” Rayna said. “In order to fix the leak, I’ll need to remove some of the shower tiles and cut an access hole in the backer board.”

Fresh irritation washed over him. “The tile is very expensive, Ms. Abrams.”

“I can assure you that if you leave the leak, the resulting water damage will be more expensive,” she said.

“You’re certain it’s behind the shower wall,” he said.

“Yes.”

“How certain?”

She gave him a withering look. “I am very confident in my diagnosis.”

“Maybe we should have a more experienced member of your team consult on the issue.”

Jesus, he couldn’t stop needling her which did him no favours in getting what he wanted from her, but how her pretty brown eyes lit up with fire whenever he did fascinated him.

Those eyes were flashing fire and brimstone at him right now. He was pretty sure he’d be a smoking pile of flesh and bone on the floor if Rayna glared any harder at him.

“I have more than enough experience for this job,” she snapped.

“You’re young,” he said.

“What does that have to do with anything?” she said. “You’re old, but I’m not holding that against you. Your shitty attitude, however…”

“I’m only thirty-two,” he said, “and wanting to ensure that I have the best person for the job is not a shitty attitude.”

“I am excellent at my job, but I have neither the time nor the interest in convincing you of that. I’ll give my estimate to Hollis, and you can contact our office if you’d like to hire us for the job.”

She pushed past him and stalked toward the door. He stared at her ass in her cheap polyester pants, his face flushing when she suddenly turned and caught him staring.

“Sneaky Leaks Plumbing is the best plumbing company in town, and you’d be an idiot if you didn’t hire us for this job just because I won’t sell you my land.”

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