Page 33 of Hard Hat Hottie

Ethan starts the ignition and lets out a laugh. “Well, maybe you were right, Har, one more drink would hurt.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

HARRISON

Pop, pop, pop.

The reverberation from the nail gun against my arm is taking a toll. While I was unfortunate enough to break my dominant wrist, utilizing my left arm for everything has caused my body to ache in places I hadn’t thought possible. Construction is definitely easier with two hands.

“Boss, you trying to give yourself heat stroke?”

Putting the nail gun down, I stretch my free arm overhead to work out the spasm that’s developed there before giving Gino a curious glance. “What’re you talking about now?”

“You’ve been out here all day. You need to go take it easy for a while.”

“We’veallbeen out here all day.” I exaggerate the all. “That’s what we do.”

“Nah, man. We all take breaks. No one can work nonstop in this heat without a break. You’ve been doing it all week. You even eat lunch up here. Are we still that far behind?”

Dragging my sweaty palm down my face, I allow my shoulders to slump. How had I thought these guys wouldn’t notice? “We’re catching up,” I mutter. “But, yeah. You’re right. I’ll go take ten.”

Carefully hanging on to the ladder with my good hand, I gingerly make my way down each rung. The ache of my stiff muscles as I grip the hot metal is more noticeable than it was even ten minutes ago. I’m going to pay for this fucking week.

As I walk into the pop-up shelter, I reach into the cooler for a bottle of Gatorade and plop into a folding chair. This last week has done a number on my head as well as my body. My mother hasn’t been herself. Joyce admitted she hadn’t been eating and has been hard to rouse from bed. On top of that, the letter I received from Outer Banks has been wearing on me. How do I walk away from an offer like that? But the biggest stressor… Harlow.

Why the hell hadn’t I gotten her number before she left The Wild Shrimp the other night? I walked away from that place happier than a butcher’s dog. Had I been so completely overcome by the nearness of her it fried my brain?

Realistically, it never dawned on me I wouldn’t be able to get in touch with her. I mean, she has to walk right by me to get to work. Yet I haven’t seen a glimpse of her all week. She’d said she had Guard duty last weekend. Had I assumed it was only Saturday and Sunday when she was away for longer?

All I know is, Gino might be right. If I continue to stand up there from sun up to sun down, just to chance seeing her again, I might die of heat stroke.

How pathetic would I be if I went inside and asked if she was working? Nah, I don’t want to harass her here. Sheesh, it’s pathetic. I’m in my thirties and have no game.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

Mindlessly, I reach for my phone. “Hello?”

“Hi, I was trying to reach Harrison Hightower.”

“You’ve got him.”

“Hi. I’m Braxton Hill. I’m the chief operating officer in charge of development at the Outer Banks Seafood RestaurantGroup. I’m following up regarding the letter we sent you recently expressing our interest in working with Hightower Construction on a chain of high-end seafood restaurants.”

I shift in my chair. Why hadn’t I looked at the caller I.D. before answering the phone? Now I’m completely on the spot. My brain is half melted from being in the sun all day. Nothing about this conversation is going to go well. “Yes. Hi,” I stammer. “I received your letter. Thank you. It was an honor, honestly.”

The line grows quiet momentarily. I’m sure this guy is thinking if it’s such an honor, why the hell haven’t you called us?

“I’m sure you are hard at work, so I won’t take up too much of your time.”

Shit.Is he going to tell me the letter was a mistake? It was supposed to go to someone else? It would make sense. As disheartening as that would be to hear, at least it would take the stress of this decision out of my hands. I’ve got enough to worry about with Mom in her own home. I just don’t know how to make an opportunity like this work.

“Is there a chance to meet for dinner? I’d like to share our vision with you in person. I think your company would be a great fit for what we’re trying to achieve.”

Hell, he really means me.How had this happened? I try to think quickly. “Sure, Mr. Hill. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. With the recent storms blowing through the keys, this hospital expansion has taken all of my focus lately.”

“I completely understand. And call me Braxton. I’m only in the area for a short while. Are you available tomorrow evening?”

“Yes. Name the place.”

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