Page 9 of Summer Love

She paused in front of me and arched a delicate brow. "Am I dressed appropriately?"

I nodded, my throat dry. "You're missing just one thing." I pulled out the hard hat I'd hid behind my back.

Her eyes widened.

If she said no, I'd send her packing without any guilt.

"Safety is important to you," she said matter-of-factly as if she was making a mental note. She waited patiently while I placed the hat on her head.

It didn't quite fit with her ponytail, so she handed the hat back to me and removed the elastic holding her hair up, carefully plaiting it into a braid, the tail curling over her shoulder, teasing the swell of her breast under her shirt. The motion caused her shirt to ride up, revealing a tantalizing sliver of tan skin.

She gestured for me to place the hat on her head again.

This time, our gazes collided as I settled it on her head.

"Is this acceptable?" she asked.

"You're perfect." Why the fuck had I said that?

Before she could ask any follow-up questions, I turned on my heel. I rattled off the plans for the day. We were putting up drywall. It was boring work, and I figured she wouldn't stay out of my way, peppering me with questions and taking notes. Generally making a nuisance of herself. But when we reached the bedroom where I was working, she said, "What can I do?"

I paused. "You want to help?"

She nodded. "I want to get to know you. What better way than to do what you do?"

I had several smart retorts for that question, but I didn't say anything. I just nodded. "You can hold the boards while we install them."

She grinned. "I'm excited to get my hands dirty."

I wanted to get more than her hands dirty, but I was gentleman enough not to say that to a reporter who was doing a story on my family's business. I wasn't sure how long my sense of decorum would hold while working side by side with this woman.

This was not how I thought my morning was going to go. I figured I'd have some socialite who didn't want to get dirty. I never suspected Elena would want to work alongside me. It made me feel more vulnerable in a way. Like she could see me better if she was working next to me. The idea was ridiculous, but I couldn't shake it.

I moved the first piece of drywall and leaned it against the stud.

"What's everyone else doing?" Elena asked.

I chuckled. "Trying to stay away from you, I suspect."

Her forehead wrinkled. "Why would they do that?"

"They don't want to end up in a magazine," I said flatly.

Her frown deepened. "The story is about you and your family, not your employees."

"You can tell them that, but I don't think it will make them less shy."

Her lips twitched. "You're saying your coworkers are shy?"

"They just want to get their work done without any hassle," I insisted.

Her shoulders lowered. "I don't want to be a problem."

"Relax, I was just giving you a hard time." I meant it, but when her face screwed up with anxiety, I couldn't let her think that she was the reason why my men were avoiding us this morning. I think it had more to do with my surly attitude.

Her gaze met mine. "I promise I won't get in the way."

"Is this your way of getting close to me so you can ask me out?" I knew I was being an asshole, but I couldn't seem to stop myself from antagonizing her. "If so, it's quite the elaborate plan."

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