Built For Her

“He’s pretty unmissable,” I sigh.

“I can’t believe he heard you call him hot. I bet your face is so red.” Gabi keeps on laughing.

I debate hanging up on her, but I know she would only call back. Or worse, show up over here. I normally love my sister coming over, but not when Barrett will be back soon. God knows she’ll rush into matchmaking mode and I’d really die of embarrassment then. As if Thor wants to date me.

“Are you going to ask him out?” she asks when she finally stops laughing.

I roll my eyes. “No.” I sit up. “He’s going to be working on my house. This is going to be awkward enough.”

“Neal, stop.” My sister laughs into the phone and I hearing kissing noises.

“Someone is beeping in. Call you later,” I lie and hang up despite her protests.

Neal to the rescue. He’ll keep her entertained for a while. Hopefully all day so she doesn’t end up over here. I glance at the clock and see it’s still pretty early. I have a million things to get done, but all I can think about doing is escaping the house for a bit. I don’t want to face Barrett again so soon. I need to get myself together.

Maybe I don’t really have to see him at all. Gabi said she gave him a key and he’d come during the day while she worked. My phone vibrates in my hand. I look down to see I have a text from Mark. I open it and groan. He’s asking about the date we’re supposed to have.

Before it, I see another thirty text messages. Holy crap.

Me: Lunch?

I send the text back. Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. Get out of the house while Barrett works, and knock this date out with Mark so he’ll stop asking me when we’re going. His response is instant.

Mark: Pick you up in twenty.

I hop up from my bed and look down at what I’m wearing. I shrug because I don’t care. I’m not trying to impress Mark.

When I get downstairs, I peek out the front door and see Barrett’s truck is gone. I find my purse and pull out the envelope with the keys I had made. I take one out, then dig for a piece of paper and pen, leaving a note on the counter with the key. I know I’m being silly by doing this, but I really can’t face him. I can’t even pinpoint why I care so much, but I do. I head for the front door and I’m relieved when I see Mark pull up. I shut the door behind me and leave it unlocked for Barrett.

My hope of leaving without seeing him again dies when he pulls up next to Mark and hops out of his truck. His eyes go from Mark to me.

“I forgot I have plans, but I left a key for you,” I rush to say, opening the car door to slip in. I don’t want Mark to get out of the car. I really don’t want to introduce the two of them.

“Mark,” Barrett all but growls, his voice deep and intimidating.

“Hey,” Mark responds.

Barrett stares him down, and Mark looks everywhere but back at him.

“We’ll see you later,” I say as I shut the car door. Mark pulls out of the driveway, and Barrett stands there with his legs apart and his arms folded over his big chest. He looks pissed as hell, but still so freaking hot. Maybe I was rude to sneak out like that, but for some reason staring at him as Mark pulls away, I’m hit with a giant wave of guilt.

Chapter 4

Genevieve

“So how do you know Barrett?” Mark asks me. He tries to make the question sound casual, but I can hear the touch of annoyance in his voice.

“I just met him today.” I glance up from my menu to see Mark staring at me.

He looks kind of pissed off. What the heck did I do? I never noticed how beady his eyes are before now. His round face is scrunched up, and after being in the presence of Barrett it makes me notice how small Mark is.

The image of Barrett leaning against my kitchen counter as we talked earlier flashes in my mind. His body is so big, but somehow he moves like a cat. He was so at ease and confident. I wonder if he’s still there now?

“And you let him come in your house?” Mark says, breaking my train of thought.

I suddenly feel like I’m a child being scolded.

“He’s my contractor and it’s my home. I can let whoever I want come and go as they please.” I sit up a little straighter and put the menu down on the table. I don’t want to make a fuss inside the small restaurant, but I also won’t let him talk to me like that.