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“Are you okay?” Erin asked.
“Yeah, but I do have a confession.”
“What?”
She shrugged. “I have painted before, but never a room.”
Chapter Eighteen
Zach tossed supplies into the back of the UTV. He’d rushed through his park rounds to make time for painting. If they got the primer on tonight, he could finish two coats by Friday.
He frowned. What had gotten into his mom with her weird comments earlier, and why had she kept saying he was uncomfortable?
His palms sweated. The situation had gotten weirder and weirder to the point he’d had no words and left before he imploded. And why did everyone keep bringing Levi into the equation? Maybe there was something going on between him and Crystal. Zach’s gut roiled.
He climbed into the UTV and started the engine. How Crystal “loved to paint” was beyond him. He doubted celebrities dirtied their hands. They hired people to do manual labor. Who knew?
If all went well, they’d slap up the primer and be out of there.
Yet, the image of Crystal’s blotchy face, with that hat tilted on her head, popped into his mind. The rash took nothing away from her shining eyes. She’d seemed to have let go with no cameras filming her. A playful, fun side of her had come out without the worry of her image. She’d never looked morebeautiful. His heart had warmed, right before it had crashed with the reality that he’d never share such free-spirited feelings.
He could picture some guy snatching the hat from her head and running off with it. She’d give chase. They’d laugh and crash into each other and end up kissing.
Zach’s lungs deflated. What was wrong with him? That’s exactly what Crystal needed. Not some ticking timebomb of a person who might go off at any moment and scare her to death.
Soon enough, she’d be back in Hollywood. He shouldn’t even be thinking about her. Right now, he had a task to complete, which was all that mattered. Although it bothered him that Crystal had shut him down when he’d try to warn her about the contract. He was still pissed at the way she’d dissed him. But she needed to know. Maybe when he cooled off, he’d try to talk to her again.
He pulled into his mom’s driveway, parked next to Brody’s car, and hauled the supplies he’d brought up the porch steps.
His mother opened the screen door. “Hi, hon.”
“What’s Brody doing here?” Zach asked.
“He’s not. Levi borrowed his car because his motorcycle is in the shop. He’s fixing the fence to keep the rabbits out of my garden, then he’s going to mow the lawn.”
“That’s good.” It helped that both of his brothers pitched in to keep up with repairs and chores.
“Crystal is upstairs. She found a ladder to use and is putting up blue tape. Oh, and Levi offered to take her back to your place when he’s done if she’s tired and wants a ride.”
Zach’s blood heated. “I bet he did.”
“He’s just being nice. She’s had a long day and was super helpful. I can’t wait to see how the room turns out.” His mom smiled.
“I’ll do my best to move things along.” Zach opened the door to the house and walked into the kitchen. Maybe Crystal did know how to paint if she was prepping the room.
He carried drop cloths up the steps and paused in the doorway. Crystal stood on the ladder, her heart-shaped ass facing him at about eye level. He swallowed hard, blood rushing south.
No.
Just no.
He’d been there one second, and his reactions to her were already causing trouble.
At least she’d worn a long sleeve shirt and pants. Functional clothing for the job. He had shorts and a T-shirt on, but he could afford to scrub his skin if paint dried on him. She didn’t have that luxury with the rash.
Maybe her attire would help keep his overactive libido in check around her. Only he’d stared at her ass anyway.
When he tossed the drop cloths on the floor, she turned and smiled. “Oh, good, you’re here. I’m almost done.” She waved a hand around the room. “I think I got it all. I taped the edges of the carpet too, just in case.”
