Page 13 of Hard Hat Hottie

She’s right. But that’s life in a tropical tourist destination. We need to either get over it or get moving. What’s the saying, get too busy working on your own grass to notice if someone else’s is greener?

“Okay, I’ll pick up something and meet you after work. Is the bar stocked?” Charlene frequently holds salon days for brides,graduates, and various other girly events, where cocktails and champagne are a must.

“If I had to pick between restocking the bar or the hair dye, which do you think I’d start with?” She giggles.

“I’ll see you later,” I reply, feeling a little more optimistic about my day than I was moments ago.

Tucking my phone into my pocket, I begin the trek up the ladder to the second-floor platform we’re currently working from. This little hospital has needed to expand for years. The fact they awarded the contract to Hightower Construction is a real mark of distinction. I need to remember that and start treating this career with the respect and work ethic it deserves.

“Hey, Harry. Isn’t that your girl?”

My head spins so fast in my effort to look down below, the scaffolding sways beneath me. But instead of finding the beautiful brunette smiling up at me like most mornings, she’s focused dead ahead. Her facial expression is stern, wearing a dark pair of designer sunglasses, her chin tilted to the sky like a super model at New York Fashion Week. Her posture displays a defiant,Take No Shitattitude. I can practically see words printed above her, like a social media meme sayingMay the bridges I burn light my way.

My face falls as I continue to follow her retreating form until she disappears behind the sliding glass doors. I, again, lean so far forward in my attempt to hold on to her every move that I nearly tumble forward.

“For fuck’s sake, Harry, I know you’ve fallen head over heels for this chick, but you don’t need to make it literal.”

“Shut up.” I grumble. My disappointment washes over me like an afternoon Floridian rain shower. Except while those brief episodes can provide much needed relief, this only leaves a turbid sensation in its wake.

Had something happened?Since almost the day the crew set up shop here, we’ve exchanged flirty grins as we’ve locked eyes with one another. I know it’s juvenile, but I can’t help looking forward to her arrival each day. Sure, she doesn’t workeveryday. This is an emergency room. But on the days sheishere, they’re always accompanied by a flirty smile.

“Aww, don’t pout, boss. Maybe Aunt Flow came to town.”

“What?”

“You know… she could be on the?—”

“Okay, okay.” I finally catch where he’s going with this ridiculous conversation.

“Just trying to make you feel better,” he gripes as he returns to where he was working prior to my arrival.

I set my sights on part of the remodel I’d been fussing with yesterday before it was time to knock off for the day. But my focus is unsettled. Watching that gorgeous creature walk by with her head held high reminded me of… well, the last time I saw Stephanie.

There has only been one serious romantic relationship in my lifetime. Much like this captivating nurse, Stephanie was stunning. She had inherited a resort home from her grandfather and had consulted with us to update it. I knew there were other contractors bidding on the project. Ones with a lot more money and resources than we could bring to the table. Yet, shockingly, she selected us to complete the job, and it felt like a huge moment in my career. It wasn’t until much later that Gus, Gino, and Vince pulled me aside to share they felt something was amiss.

Stephanie was a wealthy, attractive young woman. With her long blonde hair and big blue eyes, she turned many heads in this town. I hadn’t put professional boundaries in place at that point in my career and said “yes” when she’d asked me to go for a drink one night after working on her place. We were both young,attractive, and unattached. What could the harm be in dating her?

She was as clever as the devil and twice as pretty. That’s what.

It quickly became apparent how overindulged Stephanie had been growing up. While she’d graduated from an ivy league college, she’d never worked a day in her life. At first, I thought she was merely interested in a summer fling. I mean, what could this girl see in a construction worker? But it became clear she saw me owning this company as an investment opportunity. That I’d built Hightower Construction into a successful business at such a young age might become a windfall for her if we joined forces. She constantly went on and on about getting her daddy to invest and move us forward.

But the more she pushed, the more certain I was I wanted no part of that. My own father had no problem walking away. I didn’t need hers to do the same and take his investments with him.

Stephanie couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t entertain her musings on the matter and became incensed by my tabling any conversation that veered in that direction. I’m almost certain she’d never heard the word no. And one thing became abundantly clear. Unlessshewas committed to only usinghermoney to purchase the outlandish things she was interested in, I couldn’t afford to make any serious commitments to a woman with her penchant for spending.

So, when my crew became concerned that she might steamroll the company, I assured them I’d had a pointed conversation with her, and she’d let go of any thoughts of bringing in her father’s money, silent partner or otherwise. Stephanie was adamant she was in love with me and that nothing else mattered. I wanted to believe her. Hell, other thanmy mother and brother, no one else had ever declared such a thing and meant it.

Yet, once she started spending more time at my home, it was evident she wasn’t happy. She was used to having complete control. When I explained in no uncertain terms that my mother was my priority and would be living with me and any woman I settled down with, things began to unravel.

Steph requested more and more nights at her place. I understood needing private time together once in a while. Yet when it didn’t happen regularly, she began interviewing not only overnight caregivers but also looking into residential facilities for Mom.

My mother wasn’t an inconvenience to me. Paying for someone to watch her so I could live my life without her was no different to me than placing her in a nursing home. I wanted Mom with me. She’d devoted her life to me and Matthew. And I wasn’t leaving her alone now that the roles were reversed. Any woman who couldn’t respect the relationship I had with her wasn’t someone I planned to start a future with.

Once that final uncomfortable conversation took place, Stephanie packed her bags and placed the mint condition property we’d remodeled for her on a vacation rental site faster than you could say entitled princess. But the haughty look she wore as she marched out of my life, her sunglasses and hair flying in the breeze, was reminiscent of a Paris Hilton video. All she needed was a little dog in a stroller.

Did this nurse come from money? I can’t say that I know many wealthy people. Well, other than Stephanie and the affluent residents of Candy Cane Key who live in multimillion dollar resort homes looking for over the top updates. But none of the aforementioned would stoop so low as to work a profession in service of others. I’m certain of it.

The bell chimes overhead as I saunter inside Charlene’s salon, To Dye For, my stomach grumbling at the aroma wafting up from the to go containers in my arms. As the door closes behind me, I glance over to where Charlene is standing. Still a redhead. I never quite know what she’ll look like when I walk in. She seems to constantly re-invent herself.

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