Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Noah
Ipull the damp rag from my back pocket, wiping the sweat that’s been dripping down my face all morning.
It’s been a brutal day of working hard under this heat.
And with no AC installed yet, the temperature inside Violet’s house feels like a furnace.
But the progress is worth every drop of sweat.
I take a moment to admire the primary bathroom that’s almost complete.
The tile work is pristine, the fixtures gleaming.
All that’s left is to install the toilet, and this bathroom will be fully done.
As I step out to unbox the toilet, Esteban shows up, ready to help me install it. He glances around the room, nodding appreciatively. “This bathroom is beautiful.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely one of my favorites.” I run my hand along the edge of the tub. “I love how the shower and tub look side by side. It’s got a real luxurious feel to it.”
“Austin is a master at making plans. One day, we’ll build my house,” Esteban muses, a hint of excitement in his voice.
“Yeah? Have you decided on the land you want to buy, or are you still thinking about it?” I know he’s been wrestling with that decision for a while now.
He’s got two properties in mind: one nearby and another on the opposite side of town.
Both are solid choices for building a house, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the one close by.
The view is incredible, and it’s near the creek, which would make for some peaceful evenings.
“I think I’m going with the one close to this place,” Esteban finally admits, grinning. “That way, I can be near you and Austin. I’ll get to annoy both of you. Plus, if something happens, we’ll be close to each other.”
I laugh, genuinely pleased with his decision. “True, I like that idea.”
I bought a small house about five minutes from here, so if Esteban buys his land, we’ll be neighbors—close enough to hang out whenever we want, but with enough space to keep our privacy.
“Do you plan to buy soon?” I’m curious about his timeline now that he’s finally made a decision.
“Yeah, now that I’ve settled on the land, I think I’ll pull the trigger this week,” Esteban replies, a determined look in his eyes.
“I know we’ve got a lot of work on our plate, but I’m thinking I can start working on my house on the weekends.
If any of the guys want to earn a little extra cash, they can pitch in.
I’m not in a rush to finish it, though. Austin’s already working on the plans, so I figure I can have it done by spring. ”
“You know I’m going to help you, right? You’re not alone in this,” I say, making sure he knows he can count on me.
“I was counting on that.“ He grins, clearly relieved. “But it also means we won’t have any weekends to relax for the next few months.”
“Can you handle that?” I tease, knowing how much he enjoys unwinding on the weekends.
Esteban chuckles, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “I’ll manage. Besides, what’s a few months of hard work if it means I get the house I’ve always wanted?”
“Fair enough.” Smiling, I’m already picturing the long days ahead. But it’ll be worth it to build something from the ground up, especially for a friend.
As we position the toilet, Esteban's phone rings, cutting through the silence. He pulls it out of his pocket and a wide grin instantly spreads across his face. He glances at me, waggling his eyebrows mischievously.
“Hi, beautiful Josy. How are you?” Esteban’s grin is aimed directly at me, making it clear he’s enjoying whatever this is.
Josy? Why is she calling him? I strain to catch her words, but all I can see is Esteban nodding along, still grinning like a fool.
“That’s awesome news. I’m so proud of you,” he says.
He listens a bit more, his expression shifting to something almost... excited? What the hell is she saying?
“Hmm, okay. Sure. Tomorrow?” Esteban keeps nodding, his excitement only growing as he meets my gaze. “See you tomorrow, then. Bye.”
He pockets his phone, still smiling. I can’t take the suspense any longer.
“What? Spit it out, man,” I demand, trying to keep the impatience out of my voice.
“Take it easy, my friend.” Esteban’s clearly enjoying drawing this out. “Josy is renting a place to open a new coffee shop and wants us to do the remodel.”
“For real?” I’m caught off guard. Josy actually wants us to handle the remodel? It’s hard to believe.
“Well, let me clarify,” Esteban says with a smirk. “She wants me to do the remodel. She was very explicit in her request that she doesn’t want you involved.”
My stomach twists at his words. “Where’s this new place?”
“It’s in Sweet Springs,” he replies, still grinning. “She’ll text me the address, and I’m supposed to meet her tomorrow at 3 p.m.”
“You mean I’ll meet with her at 3 p.m., because you’ll be busy working,” I correct him, my mind already racing with possibilities.
“That’s right. I’ll be tied up tomorrow,” Esteban says, knowing full well I’m not letting him go. If Josy wants to play hard to get, I’m all in. This remodel is just another way to break through her defenses. And if she thinks she can avoid me, she’s got another thing coming.
I arrive ten minutes early for Josy’s appointment, using the time to scope out the place.
The building is old but sturdy, with worn brick and a faded awning that gives it a vintage charm.
It’s sandwiched between a boutique selling handcrafted candles and a stationery shop, both buzzing with midday shoppers.
The street hums with the chatter of locals.
It’s almost like stepping into Honey Springs with it’s quaint storefronts, friendly faces, and the blue haze of mountains looming in the distance.
Josy’s new coffee shop is going to fit right in. It’s easy to imagine her name in bold, stylish lettering above the door and the inviting aroma of coffee spilling onto the street.
As I study the building, I see someone getting out of their car, and there she is.
She walks to the building, her keys jingling as she unlocks the door, oblivious to my presence.
I can’t help but watch her for a second longer than I should.
She’s wearing a flowy skirt that sways with each step and a crisp white shirt tucked neatly at the waist. Her curls are pulled back in a ponytail, but a few rebellious strands frame her face.
She looks beautiful. And annoyed, as usual.
When she spots me approaching, her face tightens into a scowl. Great. This is already going well.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
“Hi, Josy. Lovely to see you too.” I keep my tone deliberately casual. “Esteban couldn’t make it, so he sent me instead.”
Her hands fly to her hips, and she lets out an exasperated sigh. “Oh, of course, he did. And he couldn’t call to let me know?”
“Wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise,” I say, flashing her my most charming grin.
Her eyes narrow, unimpressed. “Next time, skip the surprises. I hate surprises.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say, nodding solemnly as if I’m taking notes. “Now, are you going to let me in, or are we doing this consultation on the sidewalk?”
Josy mutters something under her breath—probably a curse—and steps aside just enough to let me through. The inside of the building is dim with beams of sunlight leaking through gaps in the old newspaper plastered over the windows. The air smells faintly of dust and forgotten potential.
As Josy starts talking me through her plans, I follow her around the space, making notes on my phone. She’s all business, her tone clipped, but there’s a spark in her voice when she describes her vision.
“I want these walls taken out to open the space,” she says, gesturing emphatically. “The bathroom is a disaster, and the kitchen? Don’t even get me started. It needs everything.”
I nod, pretending to jot something down. “Got it. Walls gone, kitchen magical, bathrooms less terrifying. Anything else?”
She stops mid-step to glare at me. “I’m serious, Noah. Don’t mess around with this. I don’t need your jokes right now.”
“Who said I was joking?” I reply innocently. “I take your coffee empire very seriously.”
Her eyes flash, and for a split second, I think she might throw something at me. Instead, she crosses her arms and huffs. “You’re impossible.”
“I’ve been called worse,” I say with a shrug.
Josy doesn’t dignify that with a response, spinning on her heel to walk away. I can’t help but smile as I follow her. She’s fiery, stubborn, and absolutely captivating.
When we finish the walkthrough, I glance at her. “I think I can make it work in about four weeks, maybe less, depending on materials. But it’ll mostly be me and a couple of guys. You okay with that?”
“As long as it gets done,” she says, her tone wary.
“It’ll get done,” I assure her, slipping in a grin. “I wouldn’t let you down, Josy. You know that.”
She gives me a long, hard look. “You say that, but somehow I feel like you’re going to drive me insane.”
“Probably,” I admit, leaning slightly closer. “But it’ll be worth it. You’ll see.”
Josy rolls her eyes and starts toward the door. “Don’t screw it up.”
As I leave, I can’t help but chuckle. She may think she’s keeping me at arm’s length, but this battle is far from over.
Sitting in my truck, I grab my phone and fire off a text to Esteban and Austin.
Me: She’s going to kill me before this project is done. Pray for me.
Esteban: Was she mad that it was you who showed up?
Me: Mad? Oh yeah, she was pissed. But she kept it cool, didn’t say much.
Austin: What are you guys talking about?
Esteban: Josy wants us to remodel the building she leased for her new coffee shop. She asked me to go and give her a quote.
Austin: And I’m guessing Noah was the one who actually showed up.
Me: Yup. Esteban conveniently "couldn’t make it," so I stepped in.
Esteban: Hey, you needed the opportunity, and I was just helping a brother out.
Austin: So, what’s the plan now?
Me: I’m gonna make sure this project gets done right. I’ve got four weeks to win her over, and I’m not wasting a second.
Esteban: Just don’t screw it up, man. She’s not going to make it easy for you.
Austin: Yeah, Josy’s tough, but if anyone can break through her walls, it’s you.
Me: I’m counting on it. This is my shot, and I’m not backing down.