21. Oliver
Oliver
I scrolled through the city’s website on my phone.
I should’ve been paying attention to my professor, so I’d know what to study for my final next week but seeing Trinity’s sign had given me an idea.
Downtown Newbridge was subject to additional restrictions since it was classified as a historic district.
I remembered Wyatt bitching and moaning about all of the rules and regulations.
Trinity might not know about them. That could be one way to create a little discomfort for her.
After skimming through several pages of legal content, I came across a section outlining the sign regulations in the historic district.
Based on the info and from what I’d seen that morning, Trinity’s sign wouldn’t make the cut.
The rules were pretty specific about lighting and measurements.
Maybe someone from the city ought to take a look.
I ducked out of class and into the hall, figuring I’d get the notes from one of my classmates later. Since classes were in session, the hall was nice and quiet. May as well make the call while I had time.
I dialed the number on the screen.
“Inspections. How can I help you?”
I cleared my throat. This was my last chance. If I moved forward, there would be no going back. “I have a question about a sign that was installed this morning.”
“What part of town are you calling about?” The woman’s monotonous tone carried over the line.
“Downtown. Isn’t there some sort of special rule if a building is in the historic district?”
“Do you have an address, sir?”
I rattled off the address and waited through a series of clicks.
“I’ll transfer you to that department.”
It didn’t take more than a few moments for the call to be transferred, but it was long enough for me to have second thoughts. Then third. While I debated about hanging up, the call connected.
“Historic District Regulations. How can I help you?”
“Hi. I noticed someone installed a sign on a building downtown and I think it might be in violation of your guidelines. Is there any way to check?”
The man on the other end of the phone collected the building address, but when he asked for my name, I declined. “I’d rather not share that information.”
“I understand. We’ll be sure to take a look. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.”
My mouth went dry as I ended the call. At least she wouldn’t know it was me who made the report. Surely someone else would have noticed at some point. I was just speeding things up.
The bell rang and the hallway filled with students heading to their next class.
If I wanted to ace my finals, I’d better start paying more attention to my classes and less attention to Trinity Ryan.
With an uneasy weight settling in the pit of my gut, I hefted my backpack up onto my shoulder and focused on getting to my next class.
There would be time to think about Trinity later.
At six-thirty I knocked on the front door to Trinity’s space. Instead of the flirtatious welcome she’d given me in the past, she came to the door with a scowl on her face.
“Come on in.” She barely opened the door before she turned around and walked away, leaving me to follow.
I shut the door then made my way past piles of boxes to where she stood at the counter.
“What’s going on, you okay?” I’d picked up a bottle of red from the storeroom at Tapped. We were always getting samples from our liquor rep, so I’d asked Wyatt if I could snag a bottle of Chianti.
Trinity didn’t even make eye contact, just gestured to a paper menu a few inches away. “Pick whatever you’d like on your pizza, and I’ll call it in.”
“Hey, what’s up?” A coldness seeped into my limbs, closing around my chest. Had the city contacted her already?
She glanced up. “Had a visit from an inspector today. Did you know that this building is located in some historic district?”
I didn’t move. If I admitted I knew, she’d blame me for not telling her. But if I lied and said I had no idea, it might come back to bite me in the ass. Before I had a chance to decide how to answer, she went on.
“My sign doesn’t meet their rules. Do you know how much I paid for that sign?” Her gaze met mine. Anger flashed in the depths of those green eyes before she looked away. “Now I’ve got to figure out a way to change it or scrap the whole thing. Five grand down the hole. Just like that.”
Five grand? She’d spent five thousand dollars on a sign without checking the regulations? “The sign company didn’t warn you when you told them where you were having it installed?”
Trinity shook her head. “No. I used Macy’s address for the invoice when I placed the order. All they cared about was the material they’d be installing it on. That was so stupid. Why wouldn’t Mr. Hopkins tell me about special rules for being downtown?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. What are you going to do?”
She let out a giant sigh, like the weight of the entire building rested on her slim shoulders. “I don’t know.”
“Can the sign company change it?”
“They said they’d look into it. Meanwhile, I guess I’d better get started on these shelves. What kind of pizza do you want? I’ll order it and while we wait, maybe you can help me figure out how to put these kits together.”
“Come here.” I opened my arms wide, offering a hug. Not sure who needed it more—her for getting the bad news about her sign, or me for being the reason she was so pissed off—I hoped she’d take the little bit of comfort I could offer. It might make me feel a little better too.
“Oh, fine.” She shuffled over to me, letting me engulf her in a giant bear hug.
“Hugs cure all, don’t they?” I asked.
“Is that another one of your dad’s famous sayings?” Her voice came out muffled with her mouth pressed against my chest.
“My dad?” I pulled back to meet her gaze.
“Yeah. You told me the first night we met he’s full of advice and superstitions. Like how it’s bad luck not to finish your drink.” One shoulder lifted. “I just thought maybe he’s the hugger in your family.”
I let out a gruff laugh. “My dad is nowhere near a hugger.”
“What’s he like then?” Her finger traced a line up my side.
“He’s, um, well, he’s quiet. Thoughtful.
Deliberate.” I tried to come up with the words to describe him.
He was a man of principle whose word meant more than any signed piece of paper.
But he resisted change, was still doing things on the farm the way his father had done them and his dad’s dad before him.
He had unreasonable expectations that I would come home, settle down, and take my place in the long line of Martins who’d been working on that piece of land for generations.
“So not very much like you, huh?” The corners of her mouth teased up into a smile.
“Hey, I can be quiet.”
“You weren’t very quiet last night.”
“Let me rephrase that. I can be quiet when required. Is that better?”
“Sure. Now tell me what you want on your pizza.”
“Doesn’t matter, I’m fine with anything.”
“Really? Mushrooms?” She eyed me with a hint of skepticism.
“Yep. Anchovies too.”
Trinity screwed her lips into a frown. “Gross. You like fishy pizza?”
“Sure. I’d try it. I think you’ll find I appreciate all kinds of flavors.”
“How about barbecue? You ever had barbecue pizza?”
“Of course. I work in a bar.”
“So what’s the strangest topping you’ve ever had then?”
“You go first.” I hated how much I enjoyed talking to Trinity. Every smile she gave me chipped away at my heart. I was an ass. A giant, hairy, ugly ass who had no business spending an evening with the gorgeous, charming woman in front of me.
“Coconut. I had grated coconut on my pizza in Costa Rica.” She arched an eyebrow. “Can you top coconut?”
“Crocodile.”
“No way.” Eyes narrowed, she looked like she was trying to figure out whether or not I was joking. “Where?”
“Sydney. We were on holiday and my sister wanted to try it.” One of the very rare trips we’d taken as a family.
We wouldn’t have even traveled to Sydney if my mom’s sister hadn’t been getting married.
It was one of the few times I’d seen my parents dance together.
Actually, now that I thought about it, it might have been the only time.
“Did you like it?” She wore an expression that seemed to be a mixture of awe and disgust.
I shrugged. “It was okay. But I prefer pepperoni.”
Trinity laughed, her foul mood chased away, at least for the time being. “Now, pepperoni I can get on board with.” She picked up her phone and pushed a button then held it to her ear.
I marveled at the way she could make a laugh sound like fucking music to my ears. But as her mood lightened, mine grew dark. I’d crossed a line I’d never even gotten close to approaching before. And as much as I enjoyed spending time with Trinity, one way or another my days were numbered.