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“You are. If you want my advice, relax, do what feels right to you. You said the sex was the best you’ve ever had?”
A smile creeps across my face. “I’ve had the urge to high five him afterward.”
“Well, there you go,” she laughs. “Stop being a control freak and go have fun.”
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
COOPER
The sight of Maren bent over the playset in her backyard with her ass clearly outlined in a pair of leggings is a great way to start a Saturday. She’s focused on fixing one of the steps and doesn’t hear me when I approach. I’m right behind her when she straightens up and she jumps as I pull her back against me. “I want to bite your ass in those leggings.”
“You’re lucky you didn’t get stabbed with a screwdriver, sneaking up on me.” Her head tilts to give me access as I kiss her neck.
She seemed to relax a little this week. I’m not sure why. Maybe because I assuaged her concerns over how secure her job is. It never occurred to me that she saw it as temporary. She may not be willing to admit she likes me, but she isn’t hiding it. Don’t get me wrong, she still gives me shit. I’d be disappointed if she didn’t.
Shrugging out of my grasp, she sets her screwdriver on a half painted nightstand. “It’s too nice out today to get dragged into your bed. You’ll have to wait for tonight.”
“Actually, I came to ask you out for lunch.”
“Sorry, I promised Pops some chicken and fried potatoes. As soon as I take this over to Freda, I need to get started on that.” She hesitates a moment. “Do you want to eat with us?”
“You’re asking me to have lunch with you and your grandfather?”
“Not if you’re going to make a big deal out of it.” A grin flirts with her lips.
“Just making sure I wasn’t hallucinating.”
She stands back to have a look at the playset. “I think that’s everything.”
“It looks like new. You’re talented at restoring things. You even made a toilet planter look good. Do you always give the stuff away?”
“Thanks, I give them to friends, donate a few things to the library and the women’s clinic. They hold auctions once a year to fundraise.”
“Why not sell them, too? A lot of work goes into it.” I’ve seen what people will pay for unique and refurbished items.
“Because not everything has to be for profit. I want one hobby that isn’t monetized. Something I can just enjoy. If I started doing it for money, it’d become another thing I have to do instead of want to do. Another thing to procrastinate and get burnt out on.”
It makes perfect sense what she’s saying and makes me reconsider the old advice to do what you love so it never feels like work. “What would be your dream job?”
“I don’t dream of working.” She bends and grabs the bottom of the playset. “Will you help me with this?”
Her words play in my head as we carry the playset over to Freda’s backyard. A lot of my friends were surprised about my plan to continue to work after I inherited Dad’s estate. I hadn’t had much time to think about it before I ended up here, but I couldn’t imagine what else I’d do. I don’t want to run his businesses. In fact, I’ve sold off and handed over as much as possible in the past few months. If I stop to think about it, I don’t have a dream job either. I just found one I was good at and could tolerate.
Freda isn’t at home when we leave the playset. Maren grins over at me as we walk back to her place. “She knew I was working on it, but the kids will be surprised.”
“Just in time too. The weather’s almost as gorgeous as you.”
Her attempt at an exasperated look is overcome by a smile and she shakes her head at me.
“Aw, my compliment made you speechless, that’s so cute.”
“Keep teasing me and I’ll chain you in the basement of the community building then pretend to help search for you.”
“It’s not the first time you’ve threatened me with chains. You’re giving off dominatrix vibes, just so you know.”
“You wish. Help me get these planters over to Donna and then I’ll feed you.”
