Page 18 of The Problem with Dating
“Sure,” he said graciously. “Just give me a call when you decide.” Echo smiled at him, and I hung back as she walked him out.
After she shut the door, she turned to me and asked, “Is that reasonable?”
I could have been a dick and reminded her that she hadn’t wanted my help, but I couldn’t do that to her. “It is,” I confirmed. “He’s right about the bearing wall.”
She gave me a tight nod. “Oh, okay.”
“However, it doesn’t matter, Echo,” I told her. “I’m doing it.”
She let out a deep breath. “Have you not noticed how I don’t appreciate your high-handed ways?”
“And have you noticed how I don’t give a fuck?” I retorted.
“You can’t just barge into my life and take it over, Gideon,” she argued. “You-”
“I can do it for half that,” I told her, knowing she’d lose her shit if I told her I was doing it for free.
Her eyes narrowed as she regarded me. “How?” she asked.
“I don’t have to pay labor,” I told her, only partially lying.
“So, you plan on doing all the work yourself?” she asked incredulously.
I shook my head. “No. I just don’t have to pay labor,” I repeated.
Echo shook her head at me. “Nope,” she bit out. “That’s not happening. If you can do it for cheaper, then great. But I’m not getting hauled into some illegal labor scandal.”
I laughed.
I couldn’t help it.
“Jesus Christ, woman,” I chuckled. “I maybe be an asshole, but I’m not an immoral or unethical one.”
“I don’t want any favors, Gideon,” she replied. “I want to pay what is fair for something like this. Nothing more and nothing less.”
I stepped to her until I was crowding her space. I was back to intimidation because the woman was stubborn as fuck. “Here’s the deal, babe.” Her eyes narrowed at me calling her babe, but she didn’t say anything about it. “Either I get the job, or I will be over here every day, making Mitchell’s life hell.”
“Not if I don’t let you in,” she challenged.
“Unless you’re going to make the man tunnel in from underground, he’s going to have to use your front door. And you can’t stop me from hanging outside in my front yard, now, can you?”
“You’re a jerk,” she pointed out needlessly.
“Do you really want your new neighbors to pull out their lawn chairs and bust out with the popcorn to see the how the drama unfolds?”
“Get out of my house, Gideon Hayes,” she snapped. “Just…just get out.”
I smirked. “Sure thing, babe,” I replied before heading out.
“And quit calling me babe,” she called after me.
“Okay, baby.” And the door shut behind me on her calling me a motherfucker.
Chapter 11
Echo~
It was going to be a long day.
