Page 4 of The Sweet Part
He leans closer, and I get a hot flash.I swear I’m too young for hot flashes!“Why don’t you date?”
My brain stalls. I smooth my hair back, flustered by his close attention, his deep brown eyes, his sexiness.Think, May, why don’t you date?“I have a young impressionable daughter, and I’m too busy getting my new inn ready to open.”
And I’m afraid to fall in love again. It feels like a betrayal of my husband. I did try dating. Once. Last year I saw a guy from work casually. I made the mistake of letting Sophie meet him, and she got attached. When I discovered he was cheating, it was easy to let him go. Sophie was devastated when it was over. That’s more than enough reasons to swear off men.
At Mason’s continued closeness, and my continued heart-pounding, flushed excitement, I look around the room.Excitement? Yikes!“Is Cooper still here?”
“What do you need him for?”
“My handyman broke his arm, and I haven’t had much luck finding help during the holidays. I hoped Cooper might be available for a few minor repairs at the inn.”
“Anything my cousin can do, I can do better.”
My gaze snaps to his. “Well, it’s not a contest.”
He grins. “What do you need?”
“A deer knocked down part of the deer fence in the backyard—” I pantomime a deer leaping over the fence “—also I need some drywall repair in the guest bedrooms, and someone to install new light fixtures. I can’t get the electrician back for six weeks. I want to finish soon so I can get pictures for the website and marketing materials. I’m planning to open Valentine’s Day weekend.”
One corner of his mouth lifts in a sexy smile, making my pulse race alarmingly. “Consider it done. I’m all yours.”
My hand flutters in the air. “No, never mind. I’ll find someone. I’m sure you’re very busy with work and your TV show.”
“May, I can do it. I have off this week. I’ll work on it the day after New Year’s Eve. That’ll give me four days and—”
“But that’s your vacation time.”
He tucks his hands in his trouser pockets. “Between my dad and uncles, I’m well trained. Trust me, I’m good with my hands.”
I pull my collar away from my neck, desperately trying to cool off.Is Mason Shaw flirting with me?
He brushes his hands together. “Done deal.”
I focus on his broad chest, forcing myself to think this through.
He’s capable. I’ve seen him fix cars on TV. This work is probably much easier for him.
He’s available right away.
He’s gorgeous, but you can’t hold that against the guy.
It’s crunch time for the inn. If I have any hope of opening on Valentine’s Day weekend, I need to get this work done. Then I can get the word out to make the inn a success, support my family, pay off my debts. You know, all that crucial adulting stuff.
“Thank you,” I say.
He inclines his head, seeming pleased by my acceptance of his generous offer.
“I’ll pay you, of course. I just need…” I trail off as he crooks his finger at me. I swallow hard and lean in.
His voice turns husky. “I’ll do it for free if you let me buy you a drink sometime. Just a drink, no pressure.”
That sounds like a seduction scene in the making.Before I can answer a cheerful thanks, but that’s not necessary, small hands grab the back of my cardigan. “I have to dry my hands,” Sophie chirps, using my cardigan to complete the job.
I look at her over my shoulder. “Why didn’t you use the dryer in the bathroom?”
“It’s the new kind that looks like a hand trap.” She must mean the kind of dryer you stick your hands into for air.
I pull her out from behind me. “Next time dry your hands on your own shirt.”
