Page 17 of Crazy Love

“Alright, enough shit-stirring,” Rachel says, steering Meg back inside. “Get onto that company so we can start clearing up this mess. But seriously, Kali. You look like your heart stopped beating.”

Hazel bites back a grin as they head back inside, and I scowl at her. “Shut up.”

“I didn’t say anything,” she says, waving to Anthony. “He hasn’t stopped staring at you since he got here.”

I glance back at Anthony and sure enough, his eyes are still on me, a blazing heat in them that sends a volt of pleasure to my toes.

“You gonna stare at me all day, Red?”

I roll my eyes as I start towards him. “Oh, spare me! I’ve got three witnesses who say you haven’t taken your eyes off me since you pulled up.”

When I stop in front of him, lust-filled eyes meet mine. “Busted. I could stare at you all day.”

His words catch me by surprise, but Anthony doesn’t give me time to respond. He presses a toolbox to my chest, and I fumble to hold the weight before he lets go. He reaches back into the tray and heaves a giant power tool into his arms, securing it between his hands and shoulder. “Let’s get to work, Red.”

“Get to work?”

“I’m good with my hands, remember?” he says waggling his eyebrows like some cartoon lech.

He swaggers ahead of me with ease and coolness, greeting Hazel like they’ve been best friends forever.

How the hell am I going to get any work done with this amount of electricity firing through my body? Not to mention,knowingthe two of us are in on some stupid bet makes everything that much more heightened.

“You need a hand with that?”

I snap out of my gawking to see a kind smile sparkling in the sunlight. The man’s feathered blonde hair blows in the breeze as he watches me expectantly. “I’m good thanks.”

“Sorry if I startled you. I’m Nathan.” He gestures behind him. “I run the pool supplies shop a few storefronts down.”

“Pleasure,” I reply. “I’m Kali and I’d shake your hand, but they’re kind of full.”

“I can see that.” He turns to survey my bomb site shopfront. “Looks like a lot of impressive work going on there. A whole team of people getting it done.”

“It’s slave labour,” I admit. “All they’re getting is a pat on the back after this is over. I’m a terrible friend.”

Nathan chuckles. “It was the same when I started my shop. That’s what friends are for, right?”

“Damn straight.”

Nathan grins and I don’t miss the quick dart of his gaze down my body. “What business is this going to be?”

“A Pilates studio.” I look at the construction site. “I can’t see it yet, but my friends are cautiously optimistic.”

“I’ll have to hit you up for a discounted membership,” Nathan jokes.

“Absolutely. I’d love more men in my classes. Especially handsome ones.”

Nathan smirks. “Even if I’d be absolutely terrible?”

“You wouldn’t be terrible,” I assure him. “I’d help you. Pilates is for everybody, no matter your fitness level or flexibility.”

“I’ll remind you of that when I pull a muscle and can’t walk for three days.”

I laugh. “Deal.”

Nathan draws his bottom lip between his teeth before exhaling deliberately. “Look, I’m not usually this forward, but you seem nice and easy to talk to and you’re absolutely stunning. Would you like to go to dinner with me some time?”

I should’ve seen that coming. Flirting is so fun, I do it without thinking. I called him handsome and offered to help him in the space of two seconds. And heishandsome. He’s charming and confident without being cocky. He runs his own business. He can hold a conversation.

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