Page 9 of Highest Bidder
JT jogs up to my door and waits for me to roll down my window. “Want to talk?”
“Nope,” I say, readjusting my hat on my head.
“Okay, so you can listen.” He crosses his arms across his chest. “Your mom is just trying to live her life and be happy. So quit being a dick.”
I sigh, knowing he’s right. I do need to support her. “Yeah.” I nod.
“Alright then.” He taps his hand on my truck before backing away. “See ya in the morning. Oh, and don’t forget to wear your best clothes.”
Turning to face him, I arch my brow and glower at him, not getting why he’d bring up my attire.
“You’re working with Hunter again.” Before hopping into his truck, he snaps his fingers and points at me, as he backs away with a shit-eating grin. I flip him the bird as I crank the engine and floor it past him. I don’t need to be reminded of that green-eyed devil. She’s been living in my head rent-free all day.
8
HUNTER
“Jess, this house is so cute!”She showed me her room, which has colorful free spirit vibes. The room I’ll be staying in has white walls. It’s like a blank canvas waiting for me to make it my own. We both have en suite bathrooms. Now I’m looking through the sliding glass doors on the back wall in the living room which flows into a cute bohemian style kitchen. I can see the crystal blue water of the pool reflecting the shimmer of the afternoon sun. It calls my name after being in the heat all day, but I have a lot of unpacking to do.
Switching my gaze from the pool to the large bay windows, I take in Jess’ tiny plant haven lining the window sills. “I see you’re a plant lover,” I say, dipping my head toward the plants as I kneel to rub Nickelback’s belly.
Jess’ dog has taken to me since I arrived, sniffing me and my luggage as he tried to figure out who the stranger was in his home. He’s been calm the entire time, giving my fingers licks as I roam from room to room, taking in the space. Having a cuddle buddy to come home to after work will be a nice change.
Jess reaches out and gently runs her fingers across a fiddle fig, allowing her thumb to caress a leaf before looking at me with asmile. “I love plants. They bring me peace. Did you know they talk to each other?”
“I didn't,” I say, walking over to join her at the window.
Nodding, Jess rotates one of the plants, giving the other side some time in the sun. “Yeah, they secrete chemicals into the soil that let other living things in its root zone know how it's doing.” Peeking up at me, the corners of her lips quirk up, revealing dimples in both cheeks. “Plants are amazing things.”
“Sounds like I have a lot to learn,” I reply, reaching out and touching the pointy, long leaf of one before turning and taking in the entire area. “It's a nice place, Jess. I appreciate you letting me room with you.”
Pressing her palms together in front of her, she squeals, “I’m glad you like it. I fell in love with this house the moment I saw it. I was happy when I got approved. I’ve been meaning to get a roommate to help with the costs, but I just didn’t know who to ask. The pool,” she says, looking out the window at the clear sparkling surface, “was definitely a major reason why I bought it. After a long day on the lanes in this Florida heat, it’s nice to get in and relax in the cool water.”
“I bet.” My eyes take in my new home. When I look back at Jess, she has a smirk plastered across her face. “What?”
“Oh, nothing.” She rocks back and forth on her feet. “You and Myles just seem to have a lot of chemistry, is all.”
I glower at her. “We do not have chemistry. If anything, it’s revulsion.”
Jess laughs. “From what I saw, you both feel a lot of things for each other and that isn’t it.”
“He’s awful, Jess.”
She thinks about that as she walks to the fridge, grabbing two waters and tossing one to me. “I know Myles is difficult at times.” She laughs when I roll my eyes at her understatement. “But,”—she puts a hand up to stop me from talking—“I’ve worked with him for years. He isn’t a bad guy.”
Opening the water, I drink half of it while I decide what to say. “I don’t know. I think he showed me his true colors, and it’s going to be hard for me to forget that.”
She nods. “Did you ever think that maybe your first day was a bad day for him?”
“I mean, JT told me Myles thought the job should have been his. But that’s not my fault.”
“No, it’s not. But maybe he really was blindsided. I just want you to know Myles has always been one of the good ones at work. Seeing how he acts around you though, I’ve never seen him like that.”
Nodding a few times, I remain quiet. I trust Jess’ opinion, and I’m happy she’s willing to help me talk through the whole Myles issue. I’m just unable to sweep his attitude under the rug.
I look out the back door and turn back to her, grinning. “So when can we swim?”
“I think we better get you set up first. But my favorite time to swim is when we can float under the stars.” She goes to the hall closet and pulls out a bag. “I have this air mattress and plenty of sheets you can use until you get a bed. Feel free to make yourself at home, and decorate your room any way you like.”
