Page 34 of Texting, Trouble & Touchdowns
“Alright,” I say, clapping my hands together. “Let’s see who’s got the better deal and timeframe.”
Mike and Pete exchange a look—like they’re about to go to war for this contract.
Olivia sighs, as if she can already feel the migraine forming. Her glare could scorch a hole in my soul. Good thing I enjoy the burn, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll let her sear me raw . . . provided she allows me to drag her down into the flames with me.
Chapter Eleven
Olivia: You never told me who we ended up choosing and how much I am paying.
Lucian: Well, well, well. Look who decided to text me first.
Olivia: Lucian.
Lucian: Olivia.
Olivia: Focus. The contractors. What happened to the bids? They said they’d email you the quotes—even when I said they should be sending them to me. Not you.
Lucian: Not even a “hi”? No “how was your day, Lucian?” No “thank you, Lucian, for single-handedly saving my business”??
Olivia: I am not thanking you, because I have no idea what’s happening. Once I do, I’ll gladly be baking you cookies as a symbol of my appreciation.
Lucian: I see. So, I don’t get a thank you, but do I get cookies? Can I choose my reward instead?
Olivia: LUCIAN.
Lucian: Yeah, yeah. I’m looking at the pros and cons of the proposals. They’re good, both. One has a five-week timeline while the other has a four-week.
Olivia: How much are they charging?
Lucian: Don’t worry about that.
Olivia: Of course I worry about it. I need to come up with the money. Aspen said she might lend me some of it.
Lucian: They’re not charging money yet.
Olivia: What do you mean, yet?
Lucian: Exactly what it sounds like. They want other kind of payment.
Olivia: I’m not having sex with them. Are you?
Lucian: LOL . . . you’re precious, baby. It’s not always about sex either. Who hurt you?
Olivia: I don’t see what else they could possibly want in exchange for this job. I mean one of them . . . I think Mike said it would be almost a hundred thousand dollars if we added my house.
Lucian: We’re adding your house. What they want from you costs much more than their quotes.
Olivia: Are you selling me to the black market?
Lucian: You have a wild imagination.
Olivia: How are we paying for this, Lucian? You need to disclose what’s happening. This is a hard limit.
Lucian: Ooh, and we’re back to hard limits. Me like this discussion.
Olivia: I swear to God . . .
Lucian: That you’re thinking about me right now.
