“You’re right. And I can’t imagine we’d agree on anything.” I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “God, if he wasn’t such an ass.” Such a hot, sexy ass.
“Do what you do to win over our clients and the opposition—charm and disarm them.”
I laughed. “Charm and disarm them?”
“Yeah. You know how you make them trust you, let down their guard. You wow them with your intelligence and then go in for the kill when they least expect it.”
“Wow, um, I’m not sure whether to be flattered or insulted.”
“Flattered, definitely flattered.”
I smoothed a hand over my hair. “You’re laying it on thick today. Should I prepare myself for bad news?”
“Nah. Most of the office has left for the holidays. Nothing new is happening on the case. In fact, I’m kind of bored.” He leaned back in his chair and kicked his feet up on his desk.
“Call up one of your legion of admirers.”
“Meh.” He lifted a shoulder. “Like I said, boring. When are you coming back?”
“I don’t know. With the way things are going, probably not until after the new year.”
When I heard the sound of the jackhammer busting concrete, I ground my jaw. “Motherfucker.”
As if my hangover and this morning weren’t bad enough. I was going to kill him.
Chapter Six
Iswung the hammer, fastening the roof ties in place. The latest tiny house was coming together nicely, and I was pretty sure we were going to finish on time, despite the delays.
“You’re going to the Winter Solstice Celebration tonight, right?” Chase asked, using a rag to wipe the sweat from his brow.
The Winter Solstice Celebration was an annual Fall Creek tradition. Where Sunnyville had the Harvest Festival and Fourth of July, Fall Creek was known for the Winter Solstice Celebration.
“I don’t know, man.” I took another nail from my work belt and held it between my lips.
“It’s going to be fun. Shelby will be there.”
I rolled my eyes. “I told you—Shelby and I are over.”
“Okay. Well, maybe you can find someone new. It’s been a while… You know Vanessa has always had the hots for you.”
I shook my head and returned to my task, using the hammer to drown out his comments. Fire season hadn’t ended that long ago, and then I’d been busy with tiny homes and the paperwork for the nonprofit. Not to mention all the projects I’d been working on at Scott’s.
“What about you?” I asked.
“What about me?”
“You’re so hot to set me up. When’s the last time you got laid?” I moved around the side of the house, double-checking my work before glancing over at Max. Just as I’d expected, she was dozing in her fluffy bed by the heater.
“I’m good.” He grinned, and I shook my head. Always so cocksure. “My brother’s the one you should be worried about. You two could form a club for grumpy old bastards.”
I ignored the jab, latching on instead to the potential change of subject. “What’s going on with him?”
He glanced around, and even though most of the team were preoccupied with their own tasks, he lowered his voice. “Swear you won’t tell anyone?”
I nodded. “Of course not.”
“Jo wants a divorce.”
