Page 37 of Burning Love
He hated to text and wanted to finish the last coat of paint, so he found his earbuds, popped them in, and hit call while he tossed his phone on the counter.
“Hi,” she said happily when she answered. “I didn’t think you’d call me.”
“I’m painting and don’t like to text. This was easier so I could talk and work.”
“Are you painting your living room?”
“Living and dining. I’ll be done soon. I’ll get the molding up and my downstairs will officially be finished.”
“That’s great. I never asked how long you’ve been working on the house.”
“About six months. The first few I was living in my apartment, then moved in here about three months ago.”
“Do you have living room furniture that is in storage or something?”
“My garage. I’ll have to get some more things, but I’ll be good enough for now.”
“I love shopping,” she said.
“I would have never guessed that.”
She laughed and the vibration of the sound sent his arm moving faster on the wall.
“I want to say it’s a girl thing, but I’ve got a few brothers that might put me to shame when it comes to shopping.”
He wouldn’t ask who. It wasn’t his business and he didn’t really care.
The last thing he wanted was for her to think he was interested in her family when he’d said enough times that he only was interested in her.
“Then you’ve got someone to go with.”
“Maybe,” she said. “So, I know you work on Saturday, and Sunday I’ve got plans, but if you’re not busy on Friday, how would you like to do something?”
“Sure.”
“That doesn’t sound convincing.”
“Did you want me to jump up and down and squeal like a girl?”
“That would be a sight to see.” He heard the humor in her voice.
“Not one you ever will.”
“I figured as much. I’m open for anything. Think about it and let me know. I’ve got a call to get on in five minutes. Talk to you soon.”
She hung up on him before he could say another word.
It was a good thing because he would have most likely made some sexual comment about how open she could get and he was trying damn hard not to be that person with her.
The question was—why?
12
HAVE SOME FUN
“You’re going out again tonight?” her mother asked her on Friday. It was only three and she’d hoped that her mother would have stayed at the bookstore longer and she’d be gone by then.
Talia was meeting Jace at his house at four. They hadn’t made plans exactly. She didn’t talk to him on Wednesday while he was at the firehouse. Thursday she knew he was sleeping in the morning and maybe part of the afternoon, then he was going to work on the house.
