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“Was Bells okay? Any other place in the neighborhood have issues?”
“Not stubborn my ass,” Mae muttered. She sighed before answering his questions. “She’s upset, but doing okay. And it was only her place. Nothing was stolen, either, just destroyed. I tell you, this job has been more than a little frustrating for me and my crew. First there was the permit issues when we started back in July, then the zoning commission inquiry delay in August, and now this.”
He frowned as he glanced from the road to her and back. “What are you saying?”
“I’m not saying anything really. Just that it’s been quite the string of bad luck.”
Bad luck, coincidence, or something more? Something personal? His gut tightened at that thought, and he made a mental note to mention it to Asher and Loyal. Right now, he slowed and put the signal on for a right turn.
“On the opposite side of that though, the day wasn’t all bad,” Mae added. “I had a meeting with the client on the job we’re starting, and an opportunity has come up that allows them to expand their original plans, which pretty much doubles our contract.”
“That’s great.”
“Becca’s going to run the numbers to confirm we can afford a second full crew so Shelby’s clinic isn’t delayed longer than it has to be. If it works out, this could be our chance to level up. Annnd, if we hire a second crew, Becca would never hire you out of pity.”
He shot her a glance. He’d met her forewoman a few weeks ago. She was sharp and hardworking, but she’d also been with Mae from the start. “But she might feel obligated to hire her boss’ boyfriend.”
“Not Becca. She’d give you a fair interview without any nepotism.”
“And if she hired me, you’d be the boss sleeping with one of your employees.”
“Oh, did I not tell you that was a fantasy of mine?” She tilted her head toward him and batted her lashes. “Seeing as all my employees are women and their husbands, I’ve never even dared dream of it coming true until now.”
He laughed and shook his head while making a left turn this time. They teased back and forth for the next ten minutes, until he turned into the lot of a repurposed warehouse and parked.
Mae leaned to peer out the window with a slight pinch to her brow. Merit had loved the building the first time he’d seen it, with huge windows comprising the top third of the outer walls, and a pitched skylight running the length of the roof.
“Why’d we stop here?” she asked when he got out of the SUV.
“I have something to show you.” He felt her gaze as he came around to her side. By the time he helped her out and went to unlock the front lobby door, his heart was racing so fast he was having a hard time drawing a full breath.
He led her through the communal lobby to a set of glass doors that granted access to a hallway leading to individual suites on either side. A swipe of his access card buzzed them in, and he gestured for her to go first.
“What is this place?” Her voice was soft with curiosity and confusion as she looked up at the skylight while he moved past.
“They redid the old warehouse about ten years ago and now rent to small business owners and…others. Each suite has a larger room and a smaller one, a mini-kitchen, and a bathroom.”
Her brow furrowed when he stopped to unlock the last door on the right side. “I don’t need a permanent office, Merit. I have my—”
He swung open the door and stepped aside for her t
o go in.
“—trailer.”
She slowly entered the room, then stopped and did a slow pivot. She swept her gaze over the stacks of paintings lining the walls, only pausing when she reached the canvas on his easel near the window. He got great light there in the afternoons.
Merit closed the door, swallowing past the lump in his throat as he waited for her to say something.
Anything.
Chapter 28
Merit moved past Mae to stand in the middle of the room, hands shoved into his front jeans pockets, shoulders hunched. She glanced at his defensive stance, then turned her attention to the half-finished canvas on the easel. Even though it was a work in progress, she could see the distinct curve of a rosy baby cheek, and dark, delicate lashes.
On the floor to the right were a beach landscape, a city skyline, and a pink baby pacifier on a light blue background.
“These are beautiful, Merit, but I don’t understand.” Did he collect paintings? That seemed the most logical explanation—except for the canvas on the easel. She twisted back around to face him.
