Page 53 of More Than a Pretty Face

“It does.”I sip my drink, then set our glasses out of the way.“Show me what to do.”

He pulls a folded sheet of paper out of his pocket.“You wanted three beds.Eight foot by four foot.”His finger traces the sketch I made as he talks.“Let’s mark the spots where we need to cut, then fire up the saw.”

“I’m so glad Mr.Grindle let me borrow it.He didn’t even ask if you’d be helping me before he said yes.”

Tyler chuckles as he marks the first board.“Let’s mark all of them.Then after I cut the first one, you can keep cutting while I lay out the forms.”

“Sure.”I’ve never used a saw like this before, but I’ve watched enough videos online to earn at least a badge, if there is such a thing.

I hold the tape measure in place as he marks the board, and we repeat the process until all the two-by-tens and two-by-fours are ready to be cut.

He carries a two-by-ten to the sawhorses he’s set up, then rests a hand on the saw.“Have you ever used one of these?”

“I haven’t.”I skip telling him about the videos.

“Here’s a quick tutorial.”He shows me the important parts of the saw and demonstrates how to cut the board.“Any questions?”

“Seems straight forward.”I walk over and grab another two-by-ten.Since we bought eight-foot boards, we’re only cutting every third one to build the shorter ends of each box.I fire up the saw and slice the board in half without maiming myself.

I like that Tyler glances over but doesn’t hover while I use the power tools.It’s almost like he thinks I’m capable.

We don’t break for lunch until the last raised bed is built.

After yanking off my gloves, I drag my arm across my forehead.“Whew.I can’t believe how much you got done.”

“Wegot done.You weren’t just out here looking pretty.”He bumps my shoulder.“Well, you’re looking pretty, but you were also working.And I’m properly motivated.All that’s left is to fill them with dirt, and the garden will be ready for planting.”

“I made sandwiches.Hope that’s okay.”

Instead of looking at me like I’m trying too hard to snag his attention, the corners of his eyes crinkle as he smiles.“Better than okay.”

So much of my life has been spent trying to be okay.Once I moved out and away from my stepfather, life didn’t explode into rainbows.It was okay.

As I drink in his smile, his words etch themselves on my soul.Life now is better than okay.And Tyler is one of the reasons.

Crazy as it sounds,my lips start to tingle when he cuts open the last bag of soil.I’m a sweaty mess, and his now shirtless back has a sheen.But all I can think about is kissing him.

With his arms deep in the dirt, he mixes the compost and soil.“Unless there is something I missed, I think we are done.”

“It looks so good.I can’t wait to buy plants.Later this week, I’m going to try the nursery Sutton mentioned when we were at the hardware store.”

“What time does that place close on Saturday?We could go now.”He shakes his hands, trying to rid them of dirt, but only soap and a shower will fix that kind of mess.

I pull up the site on my phone.“They’re closing right now.”

“Well...”He looks down at the front of himself.“I need a shower.”

I nod but don’t add anything because I want to hear more from him.

He picks up his shirt but only tosses it over his shoulder.“I could order us a pizza, race home and shower, then try to be back before it arrives.I figure it takes me about—”

“Seven minutes.”

His eyes twinkle like he knows I’ve timed him.“Each way.Plus a ten-minute shower because I’m going to need extra scrubbing.I could be back here in less than thirty.”

“I’ll give you a head start.I’ll order while you’re driving home.”Now more of me is tingling, and he hasn’t even touched me.

He slides his wallet out of his pocket and hands me money.“Be back soon.”Tyler blows me a kiss, then walks around the house.

I didn’t even ask what he likes on his pizza.

---