Page 29 of Crossing the Line
Offering to ask Hank for his plans?
That was interesting.
He'd talked to Hank about her idea and instead of trying to shut her down, he was offering her help.
Interesting.
More than interesting, it felt... good.
And she could certainly use moregoodmoments like this.
BIXBY
Once Bixby stepped back into the cool air of his air-conditioned kitchen he stopped and replayed the last few minutes of conversation with Janice.
Rather than the stilted back and forth at the market, it was less stilted.
He let out a sigh.
"Great job, asshole."
He picked up his phone from the kitchen counter and found Hank's number in his recent calls.
Hank picked up quickly. "Bixby! What's up?"
"Well, remember those plans you said you'd let Janice look at-"
"Oh? I thought you were saying it was going to be built today?"
Bixby wasn't sure how to explain, but Hank was apparently a few steps ahead of him.
"Let me guess..." Bixby swore he could hear Hank smiling. "That asshole from the pub canceled on her."
Bixby held the phone away from his ear and looked at his eyes narrowed. "How did you know?"
"Well," Hank sounded very pleased with himself, "I asked around locally and while people like the way he looks, there are quite a few people who were either cancelled on or had something negative to say about the finished project. So, I thought I'd help out my old friends with some foolproof plans."
"Foolproof?" Bixby snorted. "That's something coming from the best contractor and construction expert in four states."
"Four?" Hank sounded like he'd been wounded. "It's five states."
"Yes, King of Construction, my apologies."
Hank laughed out loud! "You don't have to mock my greatness."
"I've got to keep you honest." Bixby was stifling his own laughs. "I'm not sure who she'll find to build it. Maybe you can help us find someone."
"Well, let's cross that bridge after we've built it." Hank chuckled at his own humor. "Is Janice at home right now?"
"Yeah. I just talked to her over the fence in our backyard. I think her friend is bringing over the chicks today and-"
"Oh! Chicks?"
Bixby heard the unmistakable sound of Hank's wife, Jennifer, about to break a few champagne glasses with her enthusiasm.
"Do you think Janice would mind if we came over?"
Bixby wondered if Jennifer was letting her husband hold the phone or had she taken it away from him?
