8 - Lauren #2
I happily joined him around the island as he quickly explained what my new job was going to be.
While he worked on the inside of the cupboard, adjusting the hidden hinges, I stood on the outside to ensure it was level and gap-free.
Once we were certain we got it right, he called me over to check for myself. I knelt down next to him.
“You need to make sure that the edge of the door is flush,” he explained. Then he did something that surprised me completely. He gently took my hand in his and guided it to the seam, letting my fingers trace along the edge to feel for any gaps.
My heart fluttered again in my chest just as it had when he caught me earlier. His fingers were warm on mine, pleasantly calloused and strong and lithe.
“Good?” he asked.
I blinked away the fuzziness in my brain and averted my gaze from those pretty eyes of his. Did this guy even know what he was doing?
“It's good,” I answered.
He smiled at me. “Perfect. D'ya mind holding the door exactly like this while I tighten the screws?”
I nodded, and as he worked, our hands would occasionally brush each other as we adjusted them. If Rafe was intensity and shockwaves, Callum was pure heat. Warm eyes, warm smile, warm personality, warm hands…
“You know, Miss Lauren, I hope I'm not overstepping my boundaries here, but I've been curious this entire time about why you bought this place,” Callum said, his attention split between me and the hinges.
Instead of shrugging and risking throwing off the alignment of the door, I rolled my head.
“Oh, it's the most interesting reason ever.” I paused for dramatic effect.
I noticed that in the background, Rafe's hammering faltered in its usually perfect percussion.
Above us, even the labored rasping and sliding of the cables Brock was dragging over the rough timber joints stumbled. “I felt like it.”
“That simple?” Callum’s question didn't sound doubtful at all, rather…admiring. It reminded me of Clara.
I hummed. “I had years’ worth of money saved up to do something epic in my life and I thought, hey, why not just go for it?”
Brock had begun climbing down from the hatch and was sitting at the very top of the ladder, perhaps taking a mini break before getting ready to continue the heavy lifting.
Callum opened his mouth to respond again when Rafe laughed dryly. “Oh my, Lauren Wolfhaardt, aren't you the little daredevil? It's totally not like buying a house is the most stable, boring adult thing a person could possibly do. Not at all.”
“The trick to understanding why it was an epic move is to actually understand me. Because if you knew anything about me, you wouldn't find it that funny,” I said.
That actually managed to shut Rafe up. He dropped his head slightly, then turned back to what he was doing. I turned my attention back to the cupboard but not before catching Brock's eye. This time, our gazes locked for a moment.
It felt like I had to try and piece together a puzzle I didn't have a fixed picture to aim for. I couldn't read him and before I could really try, he looked away, then simply climbed down the rest of the way to grab a fresh, heavy roll of wire.
Always on the job, huh?
The crew continued their work list for the day and I helped wherever I could.
By the end of it, I'd actually worked up a bit of a sweat but I felt accomplished and content.
I'd loved feeling like I was doing something tangible to build this apartment.
Plus, it didn't hurt that I'd been spending time with three gorgeous men, either.
Oh, and the learning, of course. I learned a ton of interesting new facts.
Rafe had already left on his bike and Callum was packing in the last of his toolkit when I met Brock at the door. He was still waiting for Callum, and when I approached, his posture straightened instantly.
Always on the clock.
“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked me.
I hesitated. I'd been meaning to ask him about this for a while now, actually. I just didn't have the time or the courage yet. But after everything that transpired today, it felt as right a time as any.
“You're a local, right?” I asked.
His eyes widened slightly in surprise at the question but he nodded anyway.
“So that means you've probably seen the fliers around about the community meeting happening in a couple days’ time,” I continued.
He pressed his lips together and I took that to mean a yes. He didn't look particularly happy about it, but then again, when did Brock ever express any emotion other than a light dusting of annoyance if you were lucky enough to coax even that out of him?
“Okay. It's just…look, should I be worried? I feel like I have no idea what I'm getting myself into and the protesters seem capable of some crazy shit.”
Brock processed this for a moment. His face was still a wall of nothingness, but I noticed the smallest increase in the tension of his shoulders. It was such a small thing that I wondered if I'd just imagined it.
“I think you're best off ignoring them. Their bark tends to be worse than their bite,” he said finally.
“Doesn't mean it's not good to take precautions. I'm a dog person, I'll go with you.” Callum joined us in the entryway, bag and kit in hand.
“You really don't have to,” I said, but even as the words left my lips I couldn't deny the wave of gratitude that flushed through me at the offer.
He waved it off. “I'd be happy to, seriously. If it'll make you feel better.”
I was elated. Callum was not only tall and athletic but he was a genuinely good guy. I couldn't imagine anyone having an issue with him, so he really was the best possible option to help me out with this.
*
The next morning, I decided to switch things up and get some fresh air while the guys did their thing. After getting ready, I slung my camera around my neck and made my way downstairs.
“That's not exactly work-friendly attire,” Rafe said, raising an eyebrow at my corset-style top and maxi skirt. But that didn't stop him from keeping his eyes glued to my outfit anyway.
“I'm taking the day off and heading to the park,” I replied, keeping my voice breezy and not gracing him with snark today.
“Let me know if you need my help with anything.
I know I'm the MVP of this crew, after all, what with me being so very useful yesterday. Especially testing the ladder for you guys.”
Callum chuckled and Rafe's mouth tugged at the corner but he opted to stay quiet. I greeted them and went on my way but right before I could leave through the front door, Brock seemed to materialize out of thin air and stopped me.
“Oh, jeez,” I said, sighing in relief after the initial shock wore off. “You're really quiet for such a big guy, you know that, right?”
Brock raised a shoulder and the casual gesture seemed almost awkward for such a usually formal man.
“I didn't mean to scare you. So a trip to the park, you said?”
I put a hand on my camera. “Yep. A solo date. I do that sometimes to get my head clear and take some pics.”
Brock nodded, but he looked as though he wanted to say something yet had no idea on how to actually get there.
“Brock? Something bothering you?” I pressed.
“No. Not really.” I don't think either of us believed him.
I sighed and leaned against the wall. “You are an awful liar. I just need to put that out there. If something's bothering you, please tell me.”
He paused a moment longer before giving in.
“I guess there's not really a smooth segue into this.
I've noticed that you seem intent on spending more time with the crew during this reno job and that makes sense considering we'll be in close proximity for a long time,” he started.
“Miss Wolfhaardt, I have no place to try and tell you what to do.”
“Lauren,” I repeated for the millionth time, a bit more quietly now.
Was he going to tell me I was ruining their professionalism? Maybe I did a bit too much yesterday. They were still doing a job at the end of the day, and I wasn't—
“Stay away from Merrick.”
All thoughts came to an abrupt stop. He didn't tell me to stop spending time with the crew, or even with Callum, whose company I'd been keeping the most by far. No, he was telling me to stay away from Rafe.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I wrinkled my nose in confusion.
Brock crossed his arms, his eyes temporarily darting behind me to where the other two were continuing on in ignorant bliss. When he looked back at me, his face was as impassive as ever.
“I meant what I said when I praised his skill. He's one of the best guys to have on this crew right now.” His gaze hardened. “But if I can offer you a single piece of advice, it's to steer clear of him outside of this project. For your own sake.”
I didn't get the chance to ask another question. Brock walked back to the rest of the crew and their work, leaving me dumbfounded in my own entryway.
Where did that come from?