Page 21 of Stuck With You
I look at her. We’ve seriously been through this. What the hell? “Yes.”
“And you’ll not do or order anything without my consent?”
I straighten, crossing my arms over my chest. “Would you like a report notarized and delivered by a courier?”
Her eyes drift toward the ceiling as if she’s contemplating it. “Is that an option you offer here?”
“Look, this is my business, and I don’t run it by screwing people over. I will perform an inspection and let you know exactly what I find. If you want a second opinion, feel free.”
The door opens, and Carson steps back in.
“You’re all set.” He smiles.
Sarah’s peculiar eyes hit mine, her lips moving to the side, and the fact that she remains unaffected by this conversation makes my skin prickle and shrink two sizes.
She waves a hand. “That won’t be necessary, but if the quote could come without the sprinkles of bitterness, that would be fantastic.” She rolls her lips as her hair falls from behind her ear, but it’s unable to mask her pure enjoyment of picking at my calloused layers.
This is where wanting to punch myself comes into play. I knew I should have sent her to a dealer, but no. My big mouth said I’d help, and now I’m stuck with whatever is happening that makes me want to peel off my skin to release the swell of foreign discomfort this woman is happily stirring within me.
Carson sniffs, and I know his dumbass is relishing this entire thing.
Her hand jets out, her key ring dangling from her finger. “Thank you, Mufasa. I look forward to hearing what you find.” She bites the corner of her lip, and my jaw clenches.
“You want help.” Carson jumps in, offering a hand to take the baby carrier.
“Thanks, but I’ve got it.” She scans the chairs to make sure she hasn’t forgotten anything. Carson holds the door open, and she disappears into the darkening night.
“Aren’t you just Mr. Helpful?” I grumble.
Carson grins. “Southern charm, man. It’s how we’re bred. You’ve got a little in there. Especially when it comes to single moms.” He pats me on the chest as he takes her keys from me.
Of course he’d note the absence of a ring. I’ll be damned if I’ll admit I’d already noticed.
“It’s just difficult to see underneath the bitterness, Mufasa.” He laughs as if it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard.
I press the button to open one of the garage doors extra hard.
“And she lives across the street from you.” He chuckles, covering his mouth with his fist. “I hope I’m there when she realizes it.”
I’m going to have to move.
He pushes away from the counter. “I think you may have just met your match.” He points at me. “Plus, she’s a lawyer. You better guard your balls, man.” He laughs harder.
“How about you shut the hell up and see if you can pull it onto the lift the first time. I don’t want to be here all night.”
He strolls toward the door. “You know, in the south, it’s proper manners to welcome our neighbors with baked cookies or something.”
The only thing I’m baking is his ass if he doesn’t shut his mouth. “I’m not making any cookies or welcoming anyone. Up here, we mind our own damn business.”
He snorts. “Go ahead and tell yourself that, bro. I can’t wait to tell the guys.”
I want to ram my head into a wall. Maybe I’ll get amnesia, and this will all disappear.
I need this job to be over as soon as possible. Next time, the import is going to the dealer, where I don’t have to deal with incessant sass and listen to the guys’ constant shit-giving.
I sure as hell won’t make even close to enough for this.
Chapter 5
