I couldn’t help but laugh when I remembered the events from last night. Her temper. That puddle. She was…larger than life. Bigger than the world I chose to live in, it seemed.
I put on jeans, then headed to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. I looked out my window, standing at the sink, sipping coffee as I watched the sun rise. Smiled as I remembered the sewage coffee she’d served me in her home.
What a spitfire, I thought as I stepped in to my office.
It was easier to conceal my real self from people. There was a darkness lurking inside me. It was there, burrowed close to the surface, waiting. I could feel it even now.
I knew most people couldn’t handle or accept the real me. But with her…a little bit of the real came out. She demanded it, and it seemed I was helpless not to give in.
It alarmed me a little. I wasn’t used to it. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, but I must have because I wanted her to…stay. For a little while longer at least.
Never wanted a woman to stay before. The thought disturbed me. I dismissed it, tucked it away for now.
I sat at my desk, opened my laptop. Checked my business email, replied to the urgent ones. I hadn’t seriously decided about expanding my business, although I toyed with the idea now and then. With a lot of help from Rick, I had built my connections and clients and fattened my bank account over the years of working for and with him. I quit college for three years to work on big projects that earned me a huge bank account. I only came back to study because of Rick. He wanted me to get a degree. I didn’t mind, but I would do it on my own time.
My company was a one-man operation, but it suited me just fine. I could pick up or drop projects whenever I wanted. I hired people to work for me for one project or two when needed, and after that was done, we both moved on. I answered to no one, was shackled to no one once a house was done. It was what I wanted.
Leaning back against my chair, I glanced at the clock. It was early, but I knew Rick was already awake. I grabbed my phone and called him.
“Mornin’, kiddo,” he greeted. “You working for me today?”
“No, sir.”
“Got a flip you’re doing?”
“Not yet.” I had one on the line though. It’d bring me a couple hundred thousand potential profit with all the upgrades I was planning, but it was a big job, and it would take up a lot of my time. “Thinking about it.”
“I got one for ya if you want. Not even on the market yet. I’ll get Deb to send you the details.”
“Sounds good. Speaking of Deb. She going on maternity leave soon?”
“Yeah, why? You helpin’ her deliver the baby?” he chuckled. I could hear him moving around. He was probably at a site already.
“I heard she broke Logan’s fingers when she had their daughter. Think I’m keeping mine intact for now.”
He laughed heartily. A hacking one. He had a raspy voice from years of smoking. Started smoking cigarettes at nine years old out of boredom, he’d said.
He grew up in a trailer park, in a town where there was nothing to do. So he’d smoked a lot, but never did drugs. He watched his brothers waste their life in prison because of drugs. Eventually he left his hometown and made something of himself by working in construction in the city, then eventually for this man who saw potential in him and taught him everything he knew about building houses.
Rick got his certificates and licenses and owned his company now. Just like everyone in the business, he experienced a rough patch when the market crashed and lost a bunch of properties. He had to ask everyone he knew for loans to keep his business afloat, but eventually, he’d bounced back. He was one of the very successful contractors in Manitoba now.
I owed this man a lot. I guess he saw himself in me. He took me under his wing, treated me like his son and student. He was one of the very few important people in my life. I would give up my limbs for him if he asked.
“Women are strong, powerful creatures,” he said. I could hear him scratching his beard. He and I usually forgot to shave when we were busy with a project. “What is it, Son? Spit it out.”
He knew me well. “Got a favor to ask you.”
“All right.”
All right. He’d said it simply, without a thought. He’d been my father when mine couldn’t be bothered with me.
“I know someone who might be able to take over Deb’s job. I can vouch for her.” I cleared my throat. “You’d need her twice a week and weekends at the office, right?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment and then, “Sure, makes my job easier if I don’t need to interview a bunch. A girl, huh? Yours?”
“Ah.” I think…I’d like her to be. “A friend.”
He chuckled. “Let’s grab a beer sometime this week. Come by the house, kiddo.”