“You don’t make any sense,” Noah said, unsure if that was a good thing or not. “Why aren’t you painting the fence now?” He didn’t mean to sound demanding and he actually didn’t care, but for some reason he sort of liked talking to her. Even when they were arguing.
“I have to go paint faces.”
The guys started cleaning up behind them after Kyle hollered that it was time to close down for the day. Machines stopped and he could just barely hear the waves rolling again. One of his favorite sounds.
“How many jobs do you have?”
Her smile lifted something inside of him that was equal parts interesting and annoying. “As many as it takes. But hopefully, one day soon, just one. You?”
He chuckled when he thought about it. “Just one I guess. But it’s varied. I buy, sell, renovate, and reconfigure buildings, companies, and corporations.”
She nodded, leaned against the fence she’d fixed, comfortable in her own skin. It was soft, sexy skin.Do not go there.Maybe he should ask Josh to set him up with someone.
“Ahh. That makes sense. I thought I smelled some sort of executive scent on you.”
He was pretty sure that was an insult. “I think that’s the scent of success.”
She pushed off the fence. “Everyone has a different definition of that word. See you later, Noah.”
She strode around the fence, once again leaving him staring after her and questioning himself.
8
Grace got into her vehicle and laid her head back against the seat with a very heavy sigh. Her best friend, Rosie, a fellow design student she’d met one day four years ago, did the same. Their moves were choreographed like synchronized swimmers’. Grace would have laughed but she was too tired.
“How can seven-year-oldchildrenbe so exhausting?” Rosie asked.
Grace turned her head to see that her friend’s eyes were closed, her black curls surrounding her rounded cheeks. “There were just so many of them.”
“If I have kids, they’ll be allowed two friends max at a party,” Rosie vowed, opening her eyes but not lifting her head.
Grace, not having the same option, started her vehicle and backed out of the driveway, casting one last glance at her teacher/mentor/idol’s beautiful suburban home. Joanna Kern had it all: the career, supportive husband, beautiful home inside and out, and mostly human children. Okay, the kids should be cut some slack due to sugar highs and whatever child pheromones they had that made them askso manyquestions.
“I want two I think but I’d really prefer they come several years apart,” Grace said, though the thought of being someone’s mother terrified her to her soul. She did not want to repeat Tammy’s mistakes, and it was a struggle every day just to get up and make sure she didn’t turn out anything like her mother in every other aspect of her life.
“I’m so glad you’re driving. Sorry if I fall asleep while you’re talking,” Rosie said around a yawn.
“That’s what he said,” Grace said on a weary laugh. Between getting woken up earlier than she wanted, the stress of dealing with her neighbor, and then the party, she was looking forward to a shower, cozy jammies, and a glass of wine. Maybe a home-reno show.
“Speaking of things he said, did your neighbor back off on the fence?” Rosie fiddled with the radio, bouncing around from station to station before landing on 96.2 SUN.
Grace had texted Rosie last night, upset about the idea of paying for the cost of the fence right after she’d sent an e-transfer to Tammy. “I fixed it today actually. Even he couldn’t complain about the job I did. He tried. I still have to paint the two slats I replaced but he’ll have to wait.”
“What an entitled jerk,” Rosie said.
Something in her tone told Grace there was more coming. She switched lanes so she could jump on the freeway that would take them back to Harlow Beach.
“Have you googled him?”
Grace snorted. “I try to get to know a guy before I do that.”
Rosie’s laugh filled the vehicle. It was loud and infectious. “I’d actually be okay with that if you did, in fact, let yourself get to know guys.”
This again.“I’ve told you, I’m not looking for flings. I want to find the guy that complements the life I’m building.”
“Despite your mom’s less than stellar example, you know you can date and even have sex without falling into a man’s clutches,right? You’re in control. It’s okay to have some fun before you find the one. In fact, it’s pretty hard to find the one without dating.”
“Did you have a point?” Grace took the exit, adjusting her hands on the wheel. She wanted one of those cars that drove themselves. Or a car service for when she was tired.Noah Jansen probably has a driver. And a butler. Probably doesn’t know either of their names.
