Eveline
She sighed to herself, hoping he would stay true to his word and keep things private. Even though it came with immense risk, she knew she’d done the right thing by hiring him. He’d seemed rather desperate, and her personal fears shouldn’t have to punish him.
Feeling eyes on her, she glanced up from the paperwork in her hands to where Jeronimo stood at her door, a smarmy grin on his face. “So, how do you two know each other?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Because that blush tells me you think he’s rather attractive.”
She shrugged. “I thought the same when I met you.”
He crooked his brow. “Not anymore, huh?”
“The lack of administration skills ruined it to be honest.”
“Such a stab in the back,” he chuckled, taking the chair that Renley had just vacated. “But you don’t mind a young, dashing man working for you.”
“ Us ,” she corrected. “You and I both own this company, remember?”
“You’re deflecting.”
“I don’t mind him working for me.”
“Of course you don’t. Maybe an office romance will form.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “What a scandal that would be.”
“A scandal this boring and low gossip office needs.”
With a sigh, she pinned her friend with a serious glare. “Jeronimo, please stop.”
“Fine.” And with his hands up in defeat, he stood again. “Just know that I wouldn’t mind the gossip and if he did get cocky, I could kick his ass.”
“You wouldn’t have another choice, I’m your partner,” she called after him before the door fully closed.
Trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach, she busied herself with floor plans for a client.
She’d always dreamed of being her own boss and with Jeronimo, they’d turned that dream into a reality.
They were a fairly new company and had only celebrated their fifth anniversary a few months ago, but hard work and a little bit of luck had paid off.
Largely it was due to Jeronimo, who had been in the business his whole life.
He knew his way around, but he never hesitated to give Eveline all the credit—unwanted so.
The fact that they got along so well was the cherry on top.
They had an open communication policy, and knew how to address problems in a way that never got personal.
She loved how they both saw their little company as a professional family.
While they couldn’t make everyone happy, they always seemed to be able to work things out.
When Jeronimo knocked on her door later that afternoon, Eveline knew by the look on his face that something was wrong. “We have a problem.”
“I’m sure we’ll figure this out.”
He let himself fall into the chair in front of her. “The chimney in the Brockview property isn’t up to code.”
“And of course it’s not an easy fix,” she chuckled, pulling up the files for the project. “C’mon, rip off the band-aid.”
“If they want to keep it, we have to rip it all out and build a new one.”
“Ouch!”
“Yeah…”
Resting her chin on her hand, she stared at her notes, matching them to the floorplan. “They were adamant about having one. Do we have to demo it anyway? Or can we change the operating system so we can keep the structure?”
“That might work.” He shrugged. “We would have to fix the cracks if you can convince them not to have a wood burning one.”
“I’ll play around with the floor plan to give them all the options—with and without one.”
“I’ll write up estimates based on your suggestions.”
“Look at us, such a dream team.” She laughed and blew him a playful kiss.
Her business partner frowned and shook his head. “How do you stay so happy? Are we being given the same coffee? Maybe I’m missing something.”
She flashed him another grin before playfully wiggling her brows. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Jeronimo shut his mouth, sitting back while she scribbled down a few ideas. Other than the occasional suggestion, he let her work quietly, being her anchor in the storm.
When Eveline showed up to work the next morning, she’d come up with a few more ideas and asked Jeronimo to meet her at the property.
When he reminded her that he was already there with Renley, butterflies kicked up in her stomach.
She’d just told him that they’d hardly see each other and here she was: popping up on his first day.
She didn’t want him to think she was forcing situations to see him.
Renley starting at the Brockview property had entirely slipped her mind.
As she usually did when visiting a worksite, she stopped to grab doughnuts—the guys loved it, and she appreciated the way their eyes sparkled at the small gesture. It was her way of thanking them for their hard work.
“You can’t spoil the brats like that,” Jeronimo scolded once he found the sweet treats in her backseat.
“Be a sweetheart and grab them for me.”
While she assembled her wheelchair, he grabbed the box and studied her closer. “Something is up.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve never fumbled with your chair like that. What’s on your mind?”
“Your wife must hate you. You’re too observant.”
“You’re deflecting again, just like yesterday. Is this about a certain attractive young man you just hired?”
She sighed and—knowing she’d been caught—only shrugged.
“We’re not going in unless you tell me what’s wrong.”
She rolled her eyes and transferred herself into the chair. “If you’ve noticed, then everyone else will notice too,” she mumbled, heat colouring her cheeks.
“They’ll be far too occupied by the doughnuts to register how flustered you are.”
“You’re not making this any better, you know?”
She followed Jeronimo inside, pleased to see that her ramp was already set up and there was a clear path for her. They always did it, but the gesture had the same effect on her every time. Jeronimo was always adamant that she was to be accommodated, and didn’t hire anyone who argued.
There were cheers and praises as Jeronimo handed over the box—not without stealing one of his own.
Then he walked her through the potential alterations for the chimney as she snapped pictures.
She quickly discovered that two of her ideas wouldn’t work—they just didn’t fit the space.
The electric fireplace would be their best option without having to rework the gas pipes, but she liked giving their clients every possible option.
Though she tried not to let her eyes wander, she found herself seeking out Renley.
It was stupid and hopelessly desperate, something she had tried to avoid, but the way those jeans moulded to his ass practically called her name.
Knowing what laid beneath that tight long-sleeved Henley he was wearing didn’t help either.
His body was sin itself, and the memory of the things he could do sent fireworks through her veins.
When the walk through was finished and her sketchbook was full, she left the property with much more clarity. Though as she moved for the exit, Jeronimo had other ideas.
“I heard we’re all going out to dinner on Saturday.”
She cocked her brow at him. “We’re doing what?”
“You’re always invited,” Lukas chimed in, stuffing his mouth with another doughnut.
“Let me guess, the same place as usual?” she teased.
Her employee looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Where else can we get cheap margaritas and the best food in town?”
“Fine, I’ll come.”
But before the door closed behind her, Miguel called after her. “Hey, boss lady! Leave your wallet at home!”
She shook her head and made her way to the car with Jeronimo by her side and a goofy grin plastered on her face.