Page 5 of The Sweet Part
“But then my shirt will get wet.”
Mason chuckles.
“I told her to shake her hands in the air,” Alice says. She kisses my cheek and gives Sophie a hug. “Bye, ladies! Bye, Mason. Nice to meet you.”
He raises a hand. “You too, uh, May’s twin.”
“Alice,” she supplies helpfully. “May was too dazzled by your presence to introduce me earlier.”
“Shut up,” I say under my breath.
Alice wiggles her fingers and sails out the door.
I blow out a breath and give Mason a quick smile. “I was distracted by Sophie. That’s why I forgot to introduce Alice.”
He lifts his brows. “Mmm-hmm. Have you and Alice ever pulled the twin switcheroo?”
“Not since high school.”
“My twin brothers love to trade places. And my uncle Josh and uncle Jake, also identical, pulled a switcheroo on the women they ultimately married.”
I can feel myself getting sucked in, wanting to know more, but I have Sophie here with me.
“That sounds like a story for another time,” I say. “Unfortunately, we have to go. Thanks again, and I’ll pay you, okay?”No seduction here. I take Sophie by her damp hand and turn to go.
“Where’s your inn?” he asks.
I stop and turn back. That would be good info to share. I give him the address.
“I know where that is. If it’s all right, I’ll stop by tomorrow to get an idea of what I’ll need to bring for repairs.”
I nod.Tomorrow. A gorgeous repairman. That’ll be a first. Ooh! Maybe I can put him in the brochure!
“You’re coming to my house?” Sophie exclaims excitedly.
He smiles. “You bet.”
She jumps up and down. “Yay!”
I sober. I don’t want Sophie getting attached to a guy who won’t be sticking around for long.
I hurry her toward the door, saying a brief goodbye over my shoulder.
“Mommy, you shared our address,” Sophie says accusingly. “You said we don’t share our address with everyone.”
“I know, but it’s because he’s going to fix things for the inn.”
Sophie chatters on excitedly about Mason visiting, and how she wants to show him all the stuffed animals in her room.
Four days, that’s all. I’ll compensate him somehow. That will make it a simple business transaction. No complications. No broken little-girl hearts. A drink for free repairs is not how I roll. I know how guys think. A drink, back to his place, ba-da-boom—one-night stand.
I’ve never had a one-night stand in my life, and I don’t intend to start now.
I push the front door open, relieved by the blast of cold winter air for my overheated body. He’s just another repairman.
This is no problem. Really.
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