Still, it’d been tougher to get the words out than he’d thought…especially when she touched him. Once her hands were on his skin, he lost his ability to think straight.
But for now, he had work to concentrate on. So after his quick morning briefing with his crew—something he initiated after that disastrous first day—he headed for his truck. As soon as he opened the door, his phone rang.
Hoping it was Kaydee, he smiled and glanced at the phone, surprised to see “Mom” on the screen. They had their regular weekly Monday check-in two days ago.
“Hey, Mom,” he greeted, climbing into the cab. “What’s up? Something wrong?”
“That depends,” she said.
His spine immediately stiffened. Not exactly a positive answer. “On what?” He shoved his keys in the ignition and clicked his seat belt in place but made no move to start the truck.
“If you’d mind checking on your grandmother for another few weeks,” she said, her contrite tone filling his truck. “The twins are colicky, and your sister could use my help a little longer.”
Smiling, he started the truck and headed to work. “That’s fine. I don’t mind.”
His mother’s sigh rustled through the phone. “Thanks, hun. I hate imposing on you. But at least your trips are…okay. I hear you and Kaydee are getting cozy.”
Unsure exactly what he was supposed to say to that, he decided to keep it truthful and short. “Yeah.”
Didn’t get any shorter than that. He bit back a laugh.
“I’m glad.” Another sigh met his ear. “I like her.”
He grinned. “So do I.”
“That’s good to hear. It makes me happy knowing you’re happy. You deserve it, hun,” she said, then let it drop, and the conversation switched to feedings, and spit-up, and damn, was Leo glad he could leave it behind when he hung up.
His mother was great, though. She was never the type to meddle. Although he knew she felt guilty for not prying when he’d first gotten back from active duty. He’d reassured her many times it wouldn’t have mattered. Not one damn bit. Back then, he’d been a master at shutting everyone out.
Not now.
Thanks to therapy. His family. His friends.
And lately, thanks to Kaydee.
She managed to reach him more deeply than anyone. He planned to continue to see the amazing woman with or without grandma duty. That was, if she wanted to see him after tonight. Yeah. Tonight was the night. He was finally going to grow a damn pair and fucking tell her how he felt, and about his past.
It was time. He couldn’t keep doing the things they were doing without being completely honest with her. Somehow, he’d find a way to suffer through her disappointment and hope she didn’t kick him to the curb. The woman was always forthright and deserved the same treatment from him. He had to tell her.
But right now, he had to push those thoughts aside and once again switch back to work mode. Parking in Blanche’s driveway, he gave his head a mental shake and quickly brought today’s checklist to mind.Install the countertops when they’re delivered this morning.
He’d lucked out on this assignment. Blanche and her husband were dream customers. Even his workers felt that way. Just yesterday, when he and his crew were installing the floors, they all agreed how great it would be to have more customers like the Parkers. He suspected it had to do with the tasty baked goods the woman left for them on the dining room table each morning before she headed to work. Within ten minutes the plate was always empty.
A smile tugged Leo’s lips when he entered the house to find the guys chowing down on doughnuts.
Gluten-free ones.
He snickered. Even though the men knew Blanche was part owner of V-Spot, he doubted they realized the baked goods came from her café. They should, though. Poor woman’s kitchen was currently nonexistent.
“Hey, boss, you might want to grab one of these while you can,” Dirk said between bites. “Blanche outdid herself today.”
“Okay.” He swiped a doughnut off the plate and took a bite.Cinnamon.And as usual, damn good. There were only two left now. If Tucker didn’t get his ass here soon he was shit out of luck. Everyone else was already here and devouring their treat.
The kid was usually the last one to arrive, preferring his bike to hitching a ride with him or the others. Leo suspected the young veteran still had trouble with confined spaces.
Hell, one tour would do it, and the kid had been on two.
Every so often, Tuck got a look on his face Leo recognized. Panic. He’d seen the wide, dark, and dazed gaze many times in his mirror in the past. Felt the constricted chest and labored breathing, and as if the skin was too tight for his face.
