Just One Kiss (The Town of Pearl 8)

“No need to panic, Mrs. Higgins, it looks bad now because of the demo, the dust and debris, but I think a lot of the room can be salvaged,” Lucifer told her.

“I think so too. Those two walls right there where the bed goes can stay. Since you’re renovating the room, they could be sanded and repainted,” Lucia told her.

“I don’t know. I think maybe we should just start fresh. A whole new canvas. Your love is interior decorating and redesigning, making people’s dream homes become a reality, so why not?” Mrs. Higgins asked.

“Because we’re already on a tight schedule of eleven weeks. That’s if the subcontractors like electricians, painters, et cetera, come through,” Salvatore added.

“How about your brothers? Don’t Gabriele and Maxwell help you out on jobs anymore? I’m certain with their help the five of you can accomplish everything in eleven weeks.”

“Five of us?” Lucifer asked.

“You, your brothers and Lucia. Now, start planning, I’ve got phone calls to make.” Mrs. Higgins exited the room.

* * * *

“She’s gotten pushier over the years,” Salvatore mumbled then shook his head.

“You’ve known her long?” Lucia asked.

Lucifer looked at her and nodded his head.

“She was a good friend of our mom,” Lucifer explained.

“That’s nice. She mentioned brothers, you all grew up around here?” Lucia asked him.

“Sure did. We left for a bit of time but eventually returned. There’s no place like Pearl,” Lucifer said as he held her gaze. He couldn’t help but take all of her in. Her sweet expression, those big brown eyes, it was all appealing as his body reacted. She stared right back at him, and then glanced at Salvatore. The moment her eyes roamed up toward Salvatore’s, she quickly looked away.

“Well, this is a huge job, but I suppose with the extra help we could pull it off. How do you want to attack this?” Lucia asked, changing the subject as she moved further into the room.

There went the opportunity to ask something about her, like where she came from and why she was in Pearl.

“Mrs. Higgins mentioned something about your love of interior decorating. Did you go to school for that?” he asked as he followed her while she balanced between beams on the floor.

“My degree is in graphic design, but I’ve always wanted to pursue interior design. You know, taking a room and making it into something special.”

“So you never really did anything like this before?” Salvatore asked her, his voice deep, and edgy, like always. Lucifer felt a mix of emotions. Annoyed that Salvatore had to be so abrupt and edgy, and slightly excited that his brother, who seemed like he had sworn off women forever, was showing somewhat of an interest in Lucia.

“I can assure you that I know beyond the basics, Salvatore. Plus, a person has to start somewhere. I’m sure you didn’t just start your carpentry business by picking up a hammer and banging nails into wood,” she said, and Lucifer chuckled.

Salvatore just watched her.

“Well, what are your ideas for this clean palette of ours?” Salvatore asked, and Lucifer was surprised.

“Well, with your feedback and all, I think we should gather some ideas and then see if they’re feasible. I’ll need the square footage of the entire room, and that should help me know what I can and can’t fit in here. I like your ideas about the window, Lucifer. I still think the stained glass will look brilliant in here.”

“That may cost a lot in itself.” Lucifer explained about the specialty item and special ordering it.

“Well, we’ll hold off on that for now. I can research what’s available within driving distance. Maybe that might cut the costs. We’ll discuss it tomorrow, I guess. You’re probably going to need until Monday to complete the demo, right?” she asked them.

“We should be in great shape by Monday,” Lucifer told her, and she smiled. It hit him clear in the center of his gut. The woman was so appealing. He wished he were a few years younger. He was thirty-one, and she was maybe twenty-one. God, just absorbing her youth and beauty made him feel old.

“I guess we’ll talk more over the weekend. I’ll have to use the computer in the library over the weekend, unless Mrs. Higgins lets me print some ideas out today and tomorrow from her computer. I’ll keep you posted.” She started heading out of the room.

“We have a computer at our place. You could always come over and we could brainstorm together,” he found himself suggesting, shocking him.

Her eyes widened, and then she quickly headed toward the door.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m sure we can complete it here or even meet at the library.”