Page 35 of Overdue

Of course, he’s looking back. He’s caught me with my mouth hanging open and gives me a knowing jerk of his head. I clamp my mouth closed and glare back (also a wasted effort because of sunglasses). He, naturally, laughs.

With a righteous snort, I hurry into the house. I race upstairs to Eliot’s room. She has the best view of the backyard. There he is: bronze skin, messy blonde hair, twinkling blue eyes, and muscles that will haunt my dreams for years to come.

* * *

I close my laptop with a sigh. Finally, I’m starting to feel like myself again. I’m writing, thanks to a beautiful but impulsive man who brings a smile to my face more often than not.

I climb into bed and pull the comforter up. Thank you, Reed, for waking me up again. For reminding me I’m stronger than I thought. Hmm, I wonder what day the lawn is mowed now.

thirteen

REED

The week flies by quickly. My time is filled with working up the presentation for the town square and little else.

Chad came through with an amazing 3D rendering of the square on the computer. I took him out for a beer. A quick one, with some awkward conversation, but it was fine. He’s slowly growing on me.

I’ve seen Austen from a distance, and we’ve shared text messages. Most of my time is spent with my boss, going over everything I need to say. I just haven’t had time to continue my efforts at winning her over. With any luck, that all ends tonight. It’s finally time to present our plans for the new layout of the town square.

This might be the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever done. I keep going over it in my head, wondering if I’ve forgotten anything. I’ve got on my best slacks and shirt. Checking in the bathroom mirror, I make sure my tie is straight. When was the last time I had a haircut? Damn it. I should have run by Man Up and gotten my hair trimmed.

“Reed?” Gran called. “If you spend any more time primping, you’re going to make us late.”

I roll my eyes at my image in the mirror. “It’s not primping if you’re checking that your tie is on straight,” I announce, walking down the stairs. Gran is waiting in her wheelchair by the front door. She insisted on dressing herself and now sits arrayed in her church finery.

“Should I wear a sport coat?” Should I? Now I’m second guessing my decision not to. Gran must see it in my face.

“Let’s go.” She pulls the door open and pushes her chair through. Taking the chair handles, I aim toward city hall. We agreed it makes sense to walk. “You’ve got everything?”

“I think so. Chad’s meeting me there to run the computer stuff.”

“Who would have ever thought you and the Weston boy would be friends now.”

“I guess it goes to show we all grow up eventually. Even me.”

There’s already a group standing around, visiting in the council chambers when we arrive.

At least two other companies are bidding on the town square project. I recognize one of the groups. They’re a large landscaping firm from several towns over. I don’t know that I even have a chance of beating them. Ron should never have let me run with this.

“Clinch any tighter and you can go into the diamond business.”

I laugh at the voice in my ear.

“Classy, Eliot. I wish it was that easy,” I say.

“Relax, you got this. Austen droned on and on at dinner last night about how amazing your design is. ‘Reed’s so talented. Reed’s so smart. Blah, blah, blah.’”

“Oh, yeah?” I can’t stop the stupid grin. Austen was bragging about me? That makes me feel about ten feet tall or, in man terms, ten inches long. Where is she anyway? I thought she would be here.

“Don’t worry, she’ll be here. She had to lock up,” Eliot says.

“When did you learn to read my mind?”

“Ever since you two began making me nauseous with all the mooning.” She rolls her eyes. “So about freshman year.”

“Mooning? I haven’t shown anyone my ass in at least a month.”

“Must be a record.”

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