Jake leans back, considering her. He likes that. Someone who knows what it’s like to work their ass off. Most of the women he meets are wannabe models or influencers, spending more time on their phones than talking to him.
“Alright, your turn. What do you do?” she asks.
He pauses, letting the question hang. He doesn’t want her to look at him differently, not yet.
“Guess.”
She leans back slightly, eyes roaming over him. “Personal trainer?”
A low laugh slips out of him. “Good guess. But wrong.”
“Bouncer?”
“Not even close.”
She squints at him, lips twitching. “Lumberjack?”
He huffs, amused. “Do I look like I live in the woods? I’m far too clean.”
“Could be a side hustle,” she fires back with a careless shrug. “Alright then—what is it?”
His hand tightens around the neck of his beer, thumb tracing a slow line through the condensation. Normally, he wouldn’t think twice about saying it outright, but with her—sharp-eyed, harder to impress than most—he stalls. He lifts the bottle for a sip, using the pause to steady himself.
She said she’s only here for a couple of days, he reminds himself. What harm could there be in keeping things simple, in giving her story that won’t change the way she looks at him?
“Construction,” he says at last, the lie sliding out. He lets a small smile tug at his mouth. “Big guy like me swinging a hammer all day?Makes sense.”
Natalie studies him for a moment, then she nods once. “Yeah. It does.”
Jake lets out a breath, relieved.
“I need to find another gig soon,” he says absentmindedly. “Maybe you can give me some tips.”
“Oh?” Natalie says, leaning forward, eyebrows pinching in the middle. “Is your new job not working out?”
Careful Jake.“Something like that.”
“That’s too bad, if you just moved here,” Natalie offers, with a touch of concern.
“Nah, I expected it. Short-term contract and all that,” Jake says. “It’s something I’m dealing with.”
“Well, here’s to new beginnings,” she says, raising her glass.
“To new beginnings,” he says, clinking her glass with his.
CHAPTER 5
Jesse
gonna be out late. don’t wait up
Natalie
OK. Remember you have practice tomorrow.
Jesse
yes maam
