Barrett: Liar
He adds a winky face and it makes me smile. I put my phone back into my bag, wondering if I should text him back, but I’m excited to get home and see what he got done.
I pull into my driveway and step out of my car, noticing flower boxes have been hung over the rail on the wraparound porch. I walk up the stairs and notice the step doesn’t creak. I run my finger along one of the boxes. It looks custom made, not something you’d buy at the hardware store and just pop on. I reach for my phone to text my sister.
Me: Did you put these flower boxes on the porch?
She’s the only one I told about the idea. I did mention it to Barrett in passing when I showed him the house, but it wasn’t on his list of things to do.
Gabi: Nope. Take it you’re home?
Me: Yep.
I unlock the front door and stop to disarm the new alarm. I shut it behind me and then turn and put my purse down by the front door. I carry my leftovers into the kitchen but freeze when I see the wall separating the kitchen and dining room is gone.
“Holy crap.”
I stand there unable to move. The wall is completely gone and in its place is the start of a kitchen table nook. I talked to him about how I’ve always wanted one of those and that I wanted it to lead into a family room, and a formal dining room could go on the other side of the kitchen. But that was something I thought I’d do years from now, if ever. Maybe in the future when I had a family. I thought it would give it an open feel but also be cozy. Not only do I not have a family, but I don’t have the money for this right now. Not unless I go and get a loan for it, which is something I don’t want to do.
I move into the kitchen and see the other side has a partition taken out that would lead into a formal dining room. My eyes water when I see how beautiful it is, but I can’t afford this right now.
I walk over to the sink and turn on the faucet and clean water comes out. I set my stuff down on the kitchen counter and pull my phone back out to text my sister.
Me: Did Barrett ever do things to your house that you’d talked about but never agreed on?
Gabi: No. We always had to sign a pile of paperwork before he got started on anything. He also gave detailed lists of things he’d done each day and we’d sign off on them. He’s super professional.
I look around. The only solid thing we agreed on was clean water, but I haven’t signed anything. Nor have I even seen an estimate or a bill. Before I get myself worked up, I decide to settle this right now. I pull up Barrett’s number and hit call.
Chapter 8
Barrett
When I see Genevieve’s name flash across the screen, I curse. I should have known she would call right away, but I thought I had time. I probably shouldn’t answer, but hearing her voice right now would be so fucking sweet.
“Hey,” I say and try to keep my voice casual.
“What did you do to my house? I don’t have the money to pay for this. I haven’t signed any contracts, so if you think I am about to go and take out a loan I can’t afford to pay for something you did on your own, you’re crazy.”
“Someone is feisty,” I say as I spread my legs wider and point my toes.
“Of course I’m feisty. I come home to thousands of dollars’ worth of work that I can’t pay for.” I can hear her feet on the hardwoods as she paces back and forth.
“Do you like it?” I have to bite my lip to keep from making a noise, but fuck I love how hot she sounds when she’s angry.
“Of course I like it,” she says in a huff. “It’s exactly what I wanted and it’s beautiful.”
This time I don’t hide my laugh as I relax even more. “Good. That’s all I want as payment. For you to like it.”
She’s silent for a moment and I hear her pacing stop. “What? It doesn’t work like that. This is expensive work and I can’t afford it.”
My grip on the phone almost slips and I have to catch it. Jesus, her talking to me right now is almost too much. But it feels so fucking good I can’t hang up. “Yeah?” I ask, my mind drifting to the sight of her this morning.
“Are you even listening to me?” She lets out a frustrated growl, and I want to do the same. “What are you doing?”