Page 8 of When We Were More
I offer a small smile, hoping to diffuse some of the tension we had with each other yesterday. Despite first impressions, I’m pleased to see him here—he seems to be some kind of foreman, based on how he spoke and acted yesterday. He’s likely here to check things out, make sure the guys are sure of what to do. He did promise to oversee things himself for a few days.
He says nothing, eyes fixed on my shoes again, fighting back a smirk, but his efforts make those stupid dimples pop.Asshole.
“Yeah, um, I’m going to fix this situation and then leave.” I glance over at the two younger men. “Nice to meet you both.” I give them a quick wave and head to change my shoes.
Once upstairs, it only takes me a few seconds to find the correct shoe. There, now I match. I make my way carefully down the steep farmhouse stairs—these heels are fairly high—and when I get to the first landing, I stop. Standing before the front door, the one I need to leave through, is Henry.
My heels clicking on the wooden steps must have alerted him that I was coming, giving him the advantage of seeing me before I saw him. His eyes are glued to the lower half of me, watching as my body moves with each tenuous downward step I take.
As if it’s not bad enough that I appear like I’m intentionally sashaying down the steps when I’m really trying not to die froma traumatic fall, his slack jaw and wide eyes make me even more self-conscious than usual. It’s obvious I’m not a size four. These annoying curves of mine laugh in the face of anything even remotely near that size. But I don’t need him outright judging me in my own home. When I get to the finish line, I cross my arms over my chest.
“Can I help you with something?” The sharpness of my tone makes it clear I’m irritated. I hope it does, anyway.
His head snaps up, and he clears his throat. At least he has the decency to be embarrassed, if his reddened cheeks are any indication. He shakes his head, and I’m pleased with myself that I seem to have flustered him. Good, that’s what he gets for body-shaming a woman in her own home, even if it was only with his eyes.
“You, um, you said goodbye to the guys but not me.”
I stare at him. He can’t be serious. “What?”
He squares his shoulders. His facial expression and body language now exude confidence. Like what he just said wasn’t weird.
“Yeah. You said goodbye to Tommy and Jay but forgot me. I figured that was a mistake, and I came to see if youmeantto do that or…”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You ambush me at the bottom of the stairs because, what, your feelings are hurt?” The sarcasm drips from my voice.
“What? Um, no. Also, I didn’t ambush you. I was going to the truck to get something. I wasn’t waiting here for you.”
“Mmm hmm. Okay, well, whichever it is, I need to go…”
He doesn’t move, not even a bit. I huff.
“You’re blocking the door.”
He responds almost immediately, twisting and grabbing the handle, pulling the heavy wooden door open with ease before gesturing me forward.
“Ladies first.”
Everything in me wants to insist he go out first to prevent him from judging my ass in this skirt. Instead, I summon my inner goddess and accept that my body shape is too curvy for some men, and I won’t let that define me. Then, pretending I have all the confidence in the world, I stroll past him, across the porch, and down the steps.
I’m about to climb into my car when he calls out. “Ma—Tillie?” I glance up at him and give him the most disinterested expression I can muster. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Am I?I didn’t bring anything in from the car when I got back here. I’m not sure what he’s talking about.
Then, the grin threatening to spread across his face gives it away.
I roll my eyes. “Goodbye, Henry.” Now I’m the one trying not to grin. I remind myself that I don’t like him.
“That’s better. Goodbye. Until we see each other again. Soon.”
“Too soon, I’m sure,” I mumble to myself. I climb into my vehicle and pull out as quickly as I can.
CHAPTER 5
Henry
The alarm on my phone blares an obnoxious tune, reminding me it’s time to get up. I groan and roll out of bed. Layla and Lena are still asleep, warm and cozy in their beds. Mornings in the house are quiet. A yawn escapes me. I guess that’s what I should expect when I get up at five a.m. to get paperwork done before the kids are up.
Being a single dad is hard. I seriously am in awe that so many people manage to do this alone, especially with a limited supply of money. Luckily, my financial situation isverysecure. When I expanded Dad’s original carpentry business, Aron Builders, and brought my brothers on, it was a risk for all of us. What if it failed? Luckily, it didn’t.
