“Looking good,” Hank said, appearing beside her with his tablet and the satisfied expression of someone whose vision had materialized exactly as planned. “Two more weeks and you’ll be operational.”
“Two weeks.” The words tasted like future on her tongue—foreign but not unpleasant.
“Nervous?”
“Terrified.”
“Good. Means it matters.”
“I’ve had a dozen calls from potential clients. I’m already booked with projects through the end of next year.”
“Good news,” Hank said. “You’ll be back in the black before you know it.”
“No pressure.”
Hank studied the space with a contractor’s eye, but his voice carried a brother’s concern. “Aidan’s been different since you agreed to stay. Happier. More…himself, if that makes sense.”
“He’s always seemed like himself to me.”
“No, he’s seemed like who he thought he should be. He’s got that middle child complex. Always going out of the way to be different than the rest of us. Contrary by nature. When we were kids, if four of us wanted to go fishing, he wanted to go mountain climbing. If we played football, he played baseball. I was worried when Sophie and I got married because I knew that Aidan’s hard head would make him stay alone longer just because the rest of us were married.”
“Oh, I don’t…”
“All I’m saying is that Aidan has never been what he has seemed like to the outside world. He works with his hands in his shop, but he’s got a brilliant mind for business. The two of you have a chance to grow something together. And in doing that I think you’re going to be the key to finally letting Aidan be who he really is.”
Before Dylan could respond, her phone rang.
“Pinnacle Restoration,” she answered, thinking it would be another client. Hardly anyone she knew called her. They usually just texted.
“Dylan, this is Victoria,” a cool voice said.
“How did you get my number?”
“Sophie gave it to me.” Victoria’s voice was smooth as aged whiskey. “Before you get angry with her, I told her I wanted to apologize properly for my behavior the first time we met at the garage. I didn’t realize you and Aidan were involved.”
“Oookay,” Dylan said, wondering what was going on. She’d spent most of her time around men growing up and into adulthood. Only in the last few years as she’d spent time with the O’Hara women had she started to learn some of the subtle, and not so subtle, nuances of women. And Victoria was definitely angling for something.
“Could we meet for coffee?”
“Why?” Dylan asked. “My plate is pretty full right now.”
Victoria’s sigh reached through the receiver, and Dylan felt like a student who asked too many questions.
“Because there are things that need to be said.”
Dylan looked at Hank, who was pretending not to eavesdrop. “When?”
“How about now? I’m at Heavenly Delights.”
She checked her watch and contemplated. “Give me twenty minutes.”
Heavenly Delights was nearly empty at three in the afternoon. Victoria had claimed a corner table, looking like she’d been styled for a magazine shoot about elegant women in small towns. Her cream cashmere sweater looked very expensive and wouldn’t last a second in the garage.
“I’ll be direct,” Victoria said as Dylan sat down. “Do you love Aidan?”
The bluntness of it caught Dylan off guard. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
“No, it’s not.” Victoria studied her with cool assessment. “But your hesitation tells me enough. You’re not sure.”
