Chapter 7
Olivia
When I walked into the office this morning, I half expected it to be just me and Brandon again.
It hadn’t really mattered that Kade wasn’t around on my first day—Brandon had been apologetic enough for the both of them, explaining something about an emergency on-site.
I round the corner, heading past Brandon’s office toward mine, when I hear my name.
“Olivia?”
I pause and turn back, peeking into the doorway. “You called me?”
Brandon looks up from his desk. Kade’s standing across from him, both of them mid-conversation.
“Morning,” Brandon says with a nod. “Yeah, come in for a sec. I wanted to run something by you.”
I step inside, trying not to feel nervous. “Okay?”
Brandon opens his mouth, but Kade beats him to it.
“I thought it might be a good idea for you to see the full picture of what we do here. I know you’ve taken on an admin role, but I’d like to show you my side of things, how the field work ties in.”
I glance between them. “Okay… yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
“So, you’d be alright going out with Kade today?” Brandon adds, a little hesitant. “Visiting some job sites, sitting in on a few meetings? Totally up to you. If you’d rather not, that’s fine too.”
I take a second to think it over. It’s not like I’ve ever worked in a company before, let alone a construction one. And if I’m going to do this right, it probably helps to understand both sides of the business.
“Yeah. I think I’d like that,” I say.
Kade grins—broad and a little too pleased with himself. “Great. We’ve got about an hour before we head out, so grab a coffee. I’m sure Brandon has a few things he’ll want to go over with you before we roll.”
He turns to leave, still smiling as he disappears around the corner, leaving me alone with Brandon.
“I think he feels a bit guilty for not being here yesterday,” Brandon says after a beat, his expression unreadable.
“Oh, it’s not a big deal. I feel like I learned a lot yesterday, regardless.”
Brandon nods, then adds, “I do think it’s a good idea for you to see all aspects of what we do. I just didn’t want to rush you into anything. I appreciate that you said yes, but if you’re hesitant at all, just say the word. We can easily rearrange.”
The offer lands gently, but I can hear the subtext. He’s giving me an out without making me ask for it—like he’s noticed how uncertain I can get with new things, new people.
But the truth is, I actually feel… excited. Curious, even. A full day outside the office, seeing how everything connects? It sounds like exactly what I need to better understand the job and maybe Kade, too.
“Thanks, I really appreciate that,” I say. “But honestly, I’m keen to go. I know I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m a quick study. I’ll make up the time.”
“No rush,” Brandon says, his voice calm. “Slow and steady’s fine. How about we go through some emails before Kade’s ready to head out? I can walk you through the calendar system while we’re at it.”
“Yes, I’d like that. Let me just grab my notepad from my office.”
The ride starts out quiet, the hum of the engine filling the space between us. I buckle in, still slightly unsure what the day will bring, and fold my hands in my lap.
Kade glances over as he pulls onto the road. “You, okay?”
I nod. “All good.”
“It’s a pretty light day. Just wanted to show you what we do. There may be a few hard hats involved, hope that’s not a deal breaker.” He grins as he glances my way.
“I think I can handle a hard hat,” I reply playfully.
He keeps his tone casual, as if he’s trying to put me at ease. I appreciate it. Still, I can feel the edge of my nerves in the background—the kind that comes naturally from being alone in a car with someone I barely know.
“So,” he says, casting me a quick look before turning his attention back to the road, “did Brandon give you the full tour yesterday, or just the half-assed version?”
“I think I got the essentials,” I say with a small smile.
“Then I better step up my game.” He grins, it doesn’t feel like he’s trying to flirt. It’s just… genuine.
A beat passes before he adds, “My dad started Jenkins Construction straight out of college. Worked his ass off building it from the ground up. When he retired earlier this year, he made me and Brandon co-owners.”
“That’s impressive,” I say, surprised by how casually he says it—like carrying a legacy on your shoulders is just another Tuesday.
“Yeah. He still drops in from time to time to tell us what we’re doing wrong.” Kade smirks. “Old habits.”
I laugh, a quiet, honest sound that slips out before I can overthink it. Some of the tightness in my chest loosens.
“How long have you been working here?” I ask.
“Grew up around it,” he says. “I was sweeping floors and hauling lumber before I could drive. Officially? I started full-time after college. Everything I know I learned from my old man.”
“What did you study at college?” I ask curiously.
“Business. I always knew the company would eventually be mine and Brandon’s. It was always the plan. I wanted to be able to run it right when our dad handed it down.”
He throws a glance my way. “Did you go to college?”
The question catches me off guard. I do my best to keep my face neutral. “No, I never went to college.”
He nods, doesn’t push, doesn’t pry, even though I’m sure he caught the shift in my voice. And maybe that restraint, that quiet respect, makes me feel safer than anything else could’ve in that moment.
A few beats pass in silence before I ask, “Do you like it? Your job?”
“Yeah,” he says without hesitation. “It’s hard work, but it’s ours. That means something.”
I turn my gaze out the window, watching as trees and fields blur past. There’s a steadiness to him, something grounded and sure. The way he talks about his work, his family—it’s not boastful. It’s honest. Rooted. Real.
And hearing it, hearing the way he was raised by a man who taught him not just how to run a company, but how to build something… it hits somewhere deep in my chest.
A pang of jealousy pulses behind my ribs, sharp and familiar. What would it have been like to grow up in a family like his? Loud and close and loving? A far cry from the cold corridors and strained silences I knew.
Still, it’s not just the warmth in his stories that gets to me. It’s how easy the conversation has been—no second-guessing, no tight smiles or careful wording. Just him, laid back and genuine. And maybe that’s the most disarming part of all.
Something about Kade Jenkins, the quiet confidence, the easy grin, the way he talks like nothing needs to be forced—has me lowering my guard without even realizing it.
And somehow, that feels scarier than anything else.
The truck slows as we pull onto a gravel lot, the hum of drills and shouted instructions spilling through the open window. Men move across the site with purpose—steel beams stacked high, ladders propped against unfinished frames.
Kade parks and reaches behind his seat, handing me a hard hat. “Stay close. Wouldn’t want to lose you.”
I slip it on and follow him across the lot, boots crunching over dirt and stone.
The second we step into view, something in Kade shifts. The teasing charm fades, replaced by sharp focus. He doesn’t have to raise his voice or throw his weight around—people just listen. Respect him. He introduces me to everyone we meet, and I’m greeted with warm, easy welcomes.
He crouches to check a marking on the foundation, nods through updates from the crew, and tosses a few jokes toward two younger guys hauling lumber. It’s effortless. Natural.
He glances over his shoulder. “Still good?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Just… taking it all in.”
“Good. Fair warning—you’re probably going to get a little dirty from all the site visits. I probably should’ve thought about that.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I’m not worried about the mess. It all washes out,” I reassure him.
He smiles, brief but genuine, before turning back to the crew.
Mess was never something my mother tolerated. Everything had to be pristine. Controlled. Perfect. But now? On my own, I welcome the mess. It’s real. And it’s a world away from the one I used to know.