"I amnow," he said. "But it didn't start out that way."
"So what happened?" I asked. "I'm guessing…the person you hired didn't do a good job?"
"It wasn'tmewho hired him. It was the city council."
As I listened, Bryce went on to explain that the property on the other side of the fence didn't belong tohim, but rather to the city. Apparently, the city planners had gotten a sizeable grant to construct the village as part of a state-funded tourism venture.
As he described the project, I listened with rapt attention and barely restrained joy at the idea of having something so festive on the other side of that fence – festiveandfree of a drive-through.
It was like a Christmas miracle.
Bryce concluded by saying, "But if it's not finished by the end of the year, the city loses its funding."
That sounded serious. "So, how'dyouget involved?"
"The city planner's a friend of a friend. When the project hit a snag, he recruited me to step in and get things back on track."
"Lemme guess. Because you're an expert on little houses?"
"That's part of it," he said. "But I've also got those years in construction." He paused before adding almost as an afterthought, "Plus there's the degree in civil engineering."
"Civil engineering? Really?"
"Is that a surprise?"
"Sort of," I admitted. "I guess I just figured you'd have a degree in something else, like business…or maybe no degree at all. I mean,Idon't have a college degree."
He shrugged. "Nothing wrong withthat."
Did he mean it?Sure, lots of people didn't have degrees, but the fact thathedid only put him further out of my league for anything more serious.
Still, I forced a smile. "Yeah, well you don't need a degree to run a coffee truck, but I reallydolove it."
"I can tell."
"Really?"
"Yeah. And I can taste it, too."
I laughed. "Oh, stop it."
"What, you think I’m joking?"
"Maybe," I admitted. "But thanks, anyway."
"It was no joke." He smiled. "But you're welcome, anyway."
I loved his smile.In fact, I loved almost everything about him, which only proved how dangerous he was.
In so many ways, he reminded me of Dillon, the guy who'd done a huge number on me two years ago.
On the upside, I had no expectations when it came to Bryce. Our relationship – or rathernon-relationship – was perfect in every way.
No strings.
No promises.
And no broken heart.
