I Can Fix That

Did I go on a tangent about hitting my head and wearing a pirate eye patch? Possibly.

I was pretty sure I had an out-of-body experience talking about God knows what because I was too distracted by the handsome man in front of me.

Grant stood in that aisle looking like he had just got off a construction site. His long dark hair was framed around his face, he had dirt smeared across his forehead, and his falling-apart boots were tracking mud everywhere. But upon a closer look, with his dark eyes pouring into mine, I noticed his asymmetrical features and slightly crooked nose. He was beautiful. Well, as beautiful as a man could be.

I couldn’t remember what I was telling him, something about stains and floors. I was too busy staring at his dirty-work clothes and his dark green pants that fit him in all the right places and made me feel dazed.

All I’d gotten back was a look up and down and a grunt. Not even a word, just a simple caveman gruff, “Mm.” After that awkward encounter, I’d rather not invite that man into my home at all. I may have come off strong in our initial meeting, but I deserved more than one syllable.

Me Grant. Me no talk to nice woman.

“Yeah, no, thanks. I’m good.” I shut Ashley’s idea down as fast as I could.

“June, I don’t think you have another choice. He and his team are the best contractors in town, and you’ve got to get something going on this property, or you will be stuck in that awful apartment forever.”

Deep down, I knew she was right. The other contractors in this area were subpar at best, and I had heard of Grant’s attention to detail. But no matter how great he was at remodeling or how goodhe looked in those stupid pants, he still dismissed me. I heard the rumors of him and saw proof of it that day. Needless to say, I was not interested in hiring a man like that.

I took a long sip of my drink, avoiding Ashley’s stare. “June, you know your grandmother wouldn’t want some random doped-up guy off the street to do this work. Just hire Grant, get him in and out, and then you’ll be done with each other by the time summer is over.”

She was right. If I didn’t stop in for updates and kept to myself, I would only have to see him a few times. Plus, I did need to get out of my apartment as soon as possible.

I let out a breath and replied, “I guess you’re right. I have no choice.”