11. Chapter Eleven
Chapter eleven
R yder
The last few days had flown by. I was amazed by how much I was able to get done when I didn’t have to stop constantly to answer the phone. It had taken a bit of an adjustment period. I was used to setting my own schedule, and someone else having a say in that was difficult, but it was working.
One of the first things Brennan did when I turned my old phone over to him was set up a shared calendar we could both access.
We chose times that would work for me to do estimates on jobs.
The first time I got a text telling me to check my calendar and saw that I was scheduled to do an estimate on a kitchen remodel next Tuesday at four, it was weird.
But when I got home that evening, there was a folder waiting for me with all the customer’s details.
Brennan’s attention to detail showed in everything he did, from the insanely organized filing system—that had required a separate cabinet—to the notes he took recounting the calls he answered during the day.
Friday morning was a weird one, and I hadn’t even showered by the time Brennan arrived. “Sorry, I got stuck on the phone with my sister, so I don’t have time to chat this morning,” I said, letting him in.
“Is everything okay?”
“Oh yeah, she was complaining about one of my niece’s teachers. No big thing. She just wanted to vent, but I lost track of time. I need to hop in the shower really quick, or I’ll be late.”
“Do you have your lunch ready?” he asked.
“No, I’ll grab a burger or something. It won’t kill me for a day.
” I went on upstairs to the shower, turning it on extra hot.
I stripped off my clothes and stepped under the water, sighing as it ran over my back.
It was so odd to be naked upstairs in the shower knowing Brennan was in my house.
It conjured up memories of the last time I was naked in a house with him.
Memories I’d spent all week trying not to think about.
I made quick work of the shower and got dressed in record time.
If I hurried, I’d make it to the job site on time.
Being late was never okay with me, and if I didn’t beat Desi to work, I felt like I was late.
I got down to the kitchen with just enough time to get a cup of coffee ready to take with me, but to my surprise, it wasn’t necessary.
“Hey,” Brennan said with a smile. “That was fast. Here’s a cup of coffee for you, and I fixed you a lunch. No need to get a burger.”
“Thank you, but you didn’t have to do that.”
“I know I didn’t, but I know you aren’t a fan of fast food for lunch, and you had plenty of stuff here.”
I took a drink of the coffee, and it was fixed perfectly the way I like it. “This is great, Brennan. Seriously, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, now get going.”
I picked up the bag and headed to meet Desi with a smile on my face.
Making me lunch wasn’t Brennan’s job, but I had to admit it was nice of him.
This was working out much better than I’d expected.
My paperwork was all in order, and yesterday when I got home, all the old invoices were done and waiting for me to approve them.
If I’d known it was going to be this beneficial, I would’ve hired someone ages ago.
But then again, if I hired someone ages ago, it wouldn’t have been Brennan, and that just wouldn’t have been the same.
The morning went by quickly. We were laying tile in a bathroom, and while it wasn’t my favorite thing to do, I loved the way it was looking. When it was time for lunch, we pulled a couple of folding chairs out of the back of the truck and set them up under the large pecan tree by the driveway.
“Do you think we’ll get this finished up next week?” Desi asked.
“I do. Which will be perfect timing because the Corrigan’s confirmed for the week after.”
“For the screened porch?”
“Yeah, and they want us to do a stone paver patio as well.”
He pulled a sandwich out of his lunch box. “What you got today?”
“Not sure. Brennan made it for me.”
“Brennan made it for you? So what? He’s fixing your lunch now?”
“Nah, just this once. I was running late, and he fixed me up while I was in the shower.”
“This is working out great so far? Right?”
“I think so, don’t you?”
“I do. It’s nice not to have that phone ringing interrupting us all the time, and you’re way less stressed about the paperwork.”
“Yeah, I was just thinking yesterday I should’ve listened to you and done this sooner.”
“Well, duh,” he said, rolling his eyes. “You got any plans for this weekend?”
“Not really. Beers with the guys tonight, but that’s it. I may go for a ride Sunday. You want to come?”
“No, not this weekend. We’re going to Angela’s brother’s place on the lake. Nothing but beer and fishing for me this weekend.”
“Well, have fun. That sounds like a great weekend.”
“Got to get in as much as I can before the baby comes, you know?”
“Yeah, I imagine so. You’re going to be busy come October.
” He and his wife, Angela, were expecting their first baby at the end of September, and I had a feeling Desi was going to be one of those kinds of dads, you know the ones you see around town wearing the babies on their chests and changing the diapers.
He loved Angela to distraction, and I was betting this little one would get the same treatment.
“I know. I can’t wait.”
“Not gonna lie, man, I’m jealous. You hit the jackpot when you found Angela.”
“I know, still don’t know what she’s doing with my sorry ass, but I plan to make sure she doesn’t figure out what a mistake she made. Besides, no need to be jealous. You’ll find somebody.”
“Yeah, maybe, but for that to happen, I’d have to be looking, wouldn’t I. It’s not like the perfect guy for me is going to just fall in my lap.”