Page 51 of Idle

She throws her arms akimbo. “Then why did you stop us?”

“Remember, I was warned away from you by your brother and cousin.”

“So what? They’re not here.”

“I can see why they stressed the word ‘baby’ when referencing you.”

Oops. Wrong observation to make. “I am twenty-three fucking years old. I’ve had several sexual partners. I’m no baby.” She twirls on her heel and faces the wall where the vanity will go.

“I didn’t mean it that way.” Now I have to process the fact she’s been with another man. Several. Keeping my voice low, I continue, “The problem is that I like you. Too much.”

She turns to me again, her fingers on her lips. “Really?”

Damn. I didn’t mean to confess this part. She’ll never understand why I have to keep her at arm’s length if I like her. Yet, I can’t lie. “I do.”

A huge smile covers her face. “Let’s stop here. After we finish filming in a few hours, know this conversation isnotover.” She leaves me alone in the bathroom.Shit.This didn’t go as planned.

The camera crew files in to set up. Since this is the first room I’m going to tackle today, I lay out my tools and go into the living room to get the lumber I need for the framing. Since she didn’t give me any changes, I’m going to assume we’re using the bathroom design we agreed on the other night.

“Oh no!”

Paige’s scream brings me into the bedroom in a flash. Nothing seems to be amiss. “What’s wrong?”

“I forgot my belt.” She pauses. “Myluckybelt,” she clarifies.

My eyebrows furrow. “Oh.”

Shaking my head, I turn toward the door but stop when she asks, “Can you get it for me? You’re all set up and I’m still getting my stuff ready in here.”

I have way too much on my plate to get an inane piece of clothing for her. She looks perfectly fine. If she wants it that badly, she can take herself back to the ViewPad and get it. “No can do. I’m up to my neck with the bathroom remodel.” I take one step and turn. Ignoring the purple blotches on her face, I ask, “Confirming you want to go forward with the design we discussed, and don’t have any changes?”

“No changes,” she huffs.

Seriously? All this over a belt? “Okay.” I leave her, twisted as a knotty pine, and return to the bathroom.

I hear her tell the camera crew she’s going back for her belt, and then the front door slams. Chuckling under my breath, I start hammering the required framing.

“And cut! Great job today, guys.”

The camera crew packs up their things while I review the items we knocked off our to-do list for the day. The bathroom’s done from my end, and I’ve made a huge dent in the dresser. Despite the tiff over her belt in the morning, Paige worked hard today. Her window coverings are coming along great.

I pick them up to examine her craftsmanship. “This is fantastic, Paige.”

“You think so?”

I run my finger over the edge, which she smoothed like a pro. “I do. I’ve never seen anything like these. They are so creative.”

She tucks her hair behind her ear. “Thank you.” She links her arm in mine, causing a zing to race through my body. Which I tamp down. “Let’s get out of these rooms. I need a break.”

I escort her onto the patio and inhale the fresh air—or as fresh as city air gets. “This is a great area.” I glance down at the floor. “You did a fantastic job with the tiles.”

“I appreciate your kind words. I’m trying to keep up with your talent, that’s all.”

A few minutes pass in silence. “I was surprised you sanded out the edges so well on the window treatments. That’s not easy to do.”

“Tell me about it. I was going to ask you for advice, but you were busy working on the dresser and I didn’t want to bother you. So I figured it out.”

“Now I’m doubly impressed. Working with a sander can get tricky.”

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