Page 18 of When We Were More
I scoff. Something about her saying Holden’s name irks me. I love him, but my brother is a relentless flirt, and I hate thinking of Tillie smiling or laughing at him the way she just did with Jake.
The way I want her to do it with me.
I set the box of tiles on the steps, realizing she’s not going to work with me on picking a backsplash until she gets the answers she wants. My ego is awake now and wants her to knowexactlywho I am.
“No, I do not work for Holden and the brothers. Iamone of the brothers. I own the company, Tillie. Now, could you please sit and look at tile samples for your backsplash with me?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Her words come out clipped. I can’t quite read her expression, and that concerns me. There’s a mixture of anger and something else. Maybe distrust? “You’ve been working here for weeks, and you didn’t tell me who you were? That’s… It’s weird. My God, I’ve been a total bitch to you.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Would knowing who I am have changed how you engaged with me at all?”
She’s quiet for a few seconds. “No… all the times I’ve been pissy with you have been warranted.”
“I’m not sure if I’d go that far.”
Her eyes widen as if she’s suddenly remembering something important. “You cleaned another man’s pee off my bathroom floor.” Her face crinkles in disgust.
“Ugh. Please don’t remind me.”
She unceremoniously plops herself down on the step above mine, then reaches down into the tile box and takes her time picking up a few of the different samples to consider. She sorts through them without looking at me.
“I don’t like being lied to. You should have told me who you were. Holden did when he came.”
I flinch and pull back. “What? I didn’t lie to you, Tillie.” She finally looks up at me, but it’s to roll her eyes in response. I sense she doesn’t see it that way. Shit.
“You never told me. I even made some comments about your boss that first time you were here, and you never corrected me.”
I search my mind and realize she’s right. I guess I assumed I’d rarely, if ever, see her again, so why bother correcting her? I have a company to manage, an offshoot blowing up so fast there’s now a significant waiting list for our one-of-a-kind log homes, and two kids at home who need my attention. I don’t have time to be at sites regularly. Yet, I can’t stay away from this one.
I open my mouth to say something, but she beats me to it.
“Why are you still here?” Her head is cocked and her eyes narrowed like she’s trying to figure out a mystery. “You could have shown me the tiles some other time…”
My eyes betray me, darting over to the fence area where Jake is, then back to her. It’s a mistake because she sees it.
“Oh, my God. Are you serious? Because of Jake?”
I shrug. “You’re way out here with no neighbors close by, it’s getting dusky out…” I sound like an idiot. “I’m waiting until he leaves to make sure you’re safe.”
“Okay. That’s unnecessary. Honestly, you can go do—” she flaps her hands in the air “–whatever it is you do in the evenings. I can manage here by myself.” I swear she’s trying not to laugh.
I fix my gaze on her face. She’s incredibly pretty.
“Nope. I’ll wait.” I reach into the box of tile and pull out a subway tile in a cobalt blue that would be great behind the stove. “What do you think of this one?”
“Distracting me isn’t going to work. You can go. First of all, I have pepper spray.” She reaches inside her bag and pulls it out as if I wouldn’t believe her otherwise. “Anyway, if a psycho wanted to do something bad, they’d just pretend to leave and then park down the road and come back when you’re?—”
“Jesus, woman. You’veponderedthis, apparently?” She shrugs.
“I watch a lot of true crime shows.” She glances toward the backyard. “Plus, I know Jake probably as well as I know you. I’m no safer with you over him.”
“What? You just met him.”
“No, I didn’t.” She says it like it’s no big deal and continues looking at a piece of tile. Why does it bother me? I’m sure I’m not hiding the irritation consuming me, but apparently, she doesn’t notice.
She finally glances up.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I know him.”
