Page 38 of Hers to Hold
She clung to him, pressing her lips to his and eliminating any sliver of space. She couldn’t have him after this, that was true. He’d never forgive her for lying.
So she’d have him for this moment. This kiss. For a brief time, she’d have a family.
Because after she and Jimmy discovered the truth about Drew’s campaign finances, Drew, his family, and Wes and Chastity will cut her out of their lives for good.
She came to town with no one, and she’d leave alone.
Chapter 16
Drew stepped into the office trailer, his face tense. When he removed his hardhat, sweat poured down from his hair. “Wes, remind me why I’m in this business again?” He grabbed a water from the fridge and emptied it in five gulps. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Also, remind me never to build during the summer.”
Wesley chuckled. “Hot out there, huh?”
“How did you get stuck inside when I’m the boss?”
“Would you rather deal with the subcontractors? It’s payday and I’m still having trouble with Rankin Electrical.”
Drew pulled another bottle of water from the fridge and had gotten halfway through before he asked, “Rankin…again?”
“Yup,” Wes drawled.
“How many contracts do we have with them?”
“Plenty.”
Drew groaned and slumped into a chair across from Wes at the planning table. “How come it’s always an issue for them? We can’t get their timecards on time… Do they not want to be paid?”
“I’ve been talking to the accountant about doing an audit of the financials.”
“We’re on the up and up, though.”
“Sure, we are. But I want to make sure we’re not overpaying in any way. Always being late is an indicator to me.” He tossed his pen on the table and leaned back, putting his hands behind his head.
“Of?”
“Fudging timecards.”
“How did we get saddled with these guys?”
“I can’t remember who recommended them. Marley?”
Drew pulled a towel from his waistband and dragged it across his forehead and over his hair. “I think you’re right. A favor for him. Said Rankin was looking to increase his business footing in the community.”
“Working for you has accomplished that.”
“Other than timecards, any issues?”
“Yeah, actually…” He tabbed over to a new screen displaying the Rankin company profile information. “A steady stream of violations. We never pass inspection the first time around.”
“But we eventually pass.”
“Sure. But according to the notes my other project managers, it usually ends up costing us time and money.”
“Issues we could’ve avoided from the start.”
“Don’t worry. This project’s on schedule.”
Drew smiled weakly. “Good. I don’t need another problem right now, Wes. Kat saw a new ad from my opponent last night. It was so bad she cried. I don’t want her stressed out any more than she is already.”
