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Evie
The music blasting through my corded headphones is cut off suddenly by the sound of my phone ringing. I toss down the brush I use for scrubbing grout and tug off one yellow rubber glove. Rhett flashes across my phone screen. I manage to swipe before the call goes to voicemail.
“Hey, what’s up?” I sit back on my heels.
“I can’t seem to stop thinking about last night.” His husky voice infiltrates my ear canal and settles in the pleasure center of my brain.
Now that he’s mentioned it, snapshots of sharing the hotel room shower dance in my head. I can almost feel the hot, sudsy water sluicing down my body. The possessive grasp of Rhett’s hands on my hips turning me to face the wall. His fingers diving between my thighs.
“Did you call to tease me?”
“That depends if you’re able to video chat.”
I glance around the empty bathroom. I am technically here alone, but this isn’t my house.
“Boundaries, unfortunately. I’m at a client’s house.”
His deep laugh is rich and warm. “That is unfortunate. Actually, I didn’t have a reason for calling. I guess I just wanted to say hi.”
“Are you still coming tonight?” Eric and Caiti fly out tomorrow afternoon. Tonight, we’re all supposed to meet for one last dinner before they go.
“Of course. Unless something’s changed.”
“Not on my end. I wasn’t sure if you’d change your mind. You don’t have to be pressured to go because of my brother.”
His heavy breath crosses the line. “This is no different than you coming to help Nathan and Kiersten move. You’ve met my friends. Now I’m getting to know yours.”
“Except it’s my brother, which is family, and you and I are just friends.”
His lack of response flusters me.
“Rhett?”
“Sorry, Evie. Something just came up at the office. I have to let you go, but I’ll see you tonight.”
“Okay, bye.” I barely get the word out before the call drops, and my music app automatically resumes.
The time I use to clean is usually filled with thoughts and problem-solving, but not today. That phone interaction can be filed into the part of my brain reserved for things that don’t need further analyzing. The loud dance music helps occupy my mind while I slip the yellow glove back on my hand and resume scrubbing.
Two hours later, the obligation for the day is complete. Though my hair is a tangled mess from my efforts and my clothing is wrinkled, the main floor of the house is immaculate. As it should be after a hard day’s work. The wages for today push me one step closer toward that down payment. It’s so close I can nearly taste signing my name on the dotted line.
As I pack away my supplies in my car, Nora’s sleek SUV glides up the driveway. I give a friendly wave and twist my hair into a presentable messy bun.
She steps out, retrieving a wiggling toddler. The sight of the delighted little boy spreads warmth through my chest.
“I was hoping you’d still be here.”
I snap my stare from her adorable son to her. “Oh? What can I do for you?” I force the confused look from my face before she’s close enough to witness.
“My boss wants to secure you as his cleaner.” She extends a rectangular piece of cardstock to me between two fingers as she glances me up and down. “Give him a call when you’re free to discuss.”
“Wow, thank you for recommending me.” This will be my sixth client. The small circle of my business continues to grow simply due to a random grocery store run-in and word of mouth.
“Do you have a minute to step inside?”
“Oh, um, I have somewhere to be.” Glancing at my watch reveals I have less than an hour to get showered, changed, and drive the twenty minutes to the restaurant.
“Please.” The clipped word gives the impression she doesn’t use it often, if ever.
