Chapter 10
Ford
I couldn't stop looking at the image that Natasha had sent me of her view from her balcony. But it wasn't the view I was fixated on. It was her bare skin. It made me think of her naked in the hot tub.
I wondered what it would be like to be in that hot tub with her without any clothes. It was dangerous because I shouldn't be having these thoughts.
This week, Hudson was checking the pipes and indicating which ones needed to be replaced. There weren't any leaks yet, but the pipes weren't up to code. It was something that we'd put into the estimate, and Natasha wasn't surprised.
I felt good that we were doing everything we could to update the place.
I didn't want her to have any issues going forward.
There was still the matter of the town itself.
Each building was the same age as the inn.
Maybe a little newer. I thought I'd read that the inn was built first, and the owners added the buildings in the town one by one.
Hudson flicked me in the head. "Where's your head at today?"
I groaned. "I'm paying attention."
"I've been talking, and you haven't written anything down."
"Just repeat it."
He placed his hands on his hips. "Is it Natasha? Is it hard to work with her?"
"Not like how you're thinking," I mumbled, wishing he'd just move on and we could get back to work.
He did a double take. "What do you mean by that?"
"There's no bad feelings over the breakup or, at least, not anymore. We talked it out, and I apologized for being an ass."
He nodded. "Well, that's something at least. Then what has you so distracted?"
I let out a breath. "I'm spending time with her, remembering all the things we used to do together."
"I'm sure that's natural when you run into your ex. You're feeling nostalgic about your relationship. You're remembering all the good things, forgetting the bad."
"I'm not sure there was anything bad." I couldn't remember a fight.
And maybe that was the problem; we hadn't talked to each other about what would happen when she went to college, and I enlisted.
We didn't have that conversation about expectations, and that was our fatal error.
We assumed too much, or at least, I did.
"You can be friends, if that's what you're worried about. No one would think anything of it." He peeled back part of the drywall.
"I don't feel friendly toward her." I was using the picture of her bare toes in my spank bank. It wasn't the memory of her that had me tied up in knots; it was the ways she was different, more mature, her body fuller.
"That's interesting.”
"Is this just because we have history, or is it that I never should have broken things off?"
"You might have been too young then to deal with the dynamics of a long-term relationship."
I wasn't even sure why I was talking to Hudson about this. It wasn't like he had a girlfriend at the moment. "I'm sure I'll get over it."
He raised a brow. "What if you don't?"
I shrugged. "It's not like I can act on it."
He gave me a look. "Why can't you?"
"Because we work together. She's my ex. It didn't work out the first time." I was positive she wouldn't want to relive it.
"Hmmm."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
He grabbed my notebook, writing down the information I was supposed to be recording. "It sounds like you're trying to talk yourself out of something. You don't want my advice."
I was confused as to how this conversation had begun.
He shoved the notebook in my stomach and headed to the next vacant room.
I hurried to follow him.
"Your head's just all mixed up."
I nodded. "Well, yeah."
"You're so mixed up that you can't pay attention or respond to any questions."
I glared at him. "It was a momentary distraction."
He inclined his head. "Of course it was."
"I'm focused now." My phone buzzed.
Hudson looked over my shoulder. "You have a picture for Natasha's contact?"
Before I could pull back, he snatched my phone from my grip. "Her bare toes in a hot tub?" He smirked, holding it away from me. "So naughty."
He held me back with his arm outstretched as he scrolled to her message. "Do you want to come see my view tonight? View of what? Her naked in the hot tub?"
My heart was racing, and my cheeks heated.
He tossed me the phone, and I fumbled it, almost dropping it. "It's not nice to mess with people."
He smiled wide. "You've got yourself in a situation, and I'm going to sit back and enjoy it."
I made a face. "You're a jerk."
He chuckled. "At least I'm not lusting after my boss."
I tucked my phone away, resolved to respond to her message later. "She's not my boss. She's a client."
"And that makes it better? You walked away last time for a reason. You didn't want her, or you wouldn't have let her go. I've never heard that going back to an ex was a good idea. There's a lot at stake if it goes bad."
"You're not making me feel any better." I actually felt worse about the situation because I wasn't sure I could ignore these feelings for her.
He gave me a pointed look. "Just don't do anything that could put our business in jeopardy."
"I won't." It was a good reminder that business was riding on this project, and I couldn't get distracted and do something stupid.
He raised a brow. "Isn't she coming to family dinner this week?"
I nodded. "Mom insisted I invite her."
"This should be interesting."
I held the pencil so tight; I was surprised it didn't break. "I'm so glad I could entertain you."
"There's not much else going. There was a little drama after Lincoln got snowed in with Penny, but they figured their shit out."
I raised a brow. "Are you interested in someone?"
He shook his head. "I'm too busy with work. Between my personal clients and Sterling Brothers' projects, there's no free time. I'm always on call."
"That's rough."
"It's not a big deal. But I could see wanting to slow down eventually. It's one more reason to focus on building the business now."
Business was our number one priority. My brothers were relying on its growth for their future, and I wouldn't do anything to screw that up.
Later that night, when I looked at Natasha's message that accompanied her picture in the hot tub, I decided not to respond. There was no point in tempting myself with something I couldn't have.
Hudson's advice couldn't have come at a better time.
I spent the weekend working on my bathroom. It felt good to make some progress on a place I'd get to enjoy. And on Sunday, I texted Natasha to confirm she was still coming to family dinner. Mom would have wanted me to reach out to her, and I preferred to avoid her wrath.
I showered before dinner, then headed over to Mom and Dad's in my truck. I wasn't sure what kind of car Natasha drove, but I didn't see any unfamiliar vehicles. She probably wasn't here yet.
Inside, everyone congregated in the kitchen. It was loud with everyone talking at once.
Mom greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. "Where's Natasha? Didn't you pick her up?"
I frowned. "I assumed she'd drive herself. I wasn't working at the inn today."
A crease formed between her brows. "I assumed you'd bring her."
I ducked my head. "She'll be here."
Mom made fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and salad for dinner. It was one of our favorites, and my stomach rumbled.
We helped put everything on the table, and when the doorbell rang, Mom said, "Why don't you get it? It's probably Natasha."
"Your girlfriend's here," Cooper singsonged as I walked past him, and I smacked him in the shoulder.
"Stop being a child."
"We have a guest today, so everyone needs to behave," Mom said in her stern voice that we usually ignored.
I opened the door, finding Natasha on the porch in jeans, a cream sweater that hung off her shoulder, and knee-high boots. She handed me a bottle of wine as she stepped inside. "Thanks for inviting me."
I threw a hand over my shoulder. "Mom insisted."
Natasha smiled. "I remember how that is."
"There was no way you were getting out of this. But hopefully, it's one and done. Now that she's welcomed you home, you won't have to come over again." As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I winced. That was not exactly what I meant to say, but the damage was done.
"Hopefully," Natasha said, and I couldn't get a read on her. Was she upset at my words, or did she take it as I meant it, as a joke? My mom could be overbearing, and I imagined not everyone would want to take part in our family gatherings. They were a lot.
Aspen approached. "I'm so glad you're here. There's way too much testosterone in that kitchen."
"What am I?" Penny asked as they drew Natasha into the kitchen.
I followed slowly behind the girls, thinking that Natasha would spend the evening with them, and I wouldn't be tempted.
Instead, I was bombarded with the memories of every time Natasha came over when we were younger.
How we loved to spend every minute we could together, sneaking away to be alone.
But now, we were grown up, and the distance between us was insurmountable.
Or at least that was what I kept telling myself.
Hudson's warning was fresh in my mind. It wasn't a good idea to stir up old feelings or revisit our relationship. We could only move forward.
When I walked into the kitchen, Mom was hugging Natasha. "It's so good to have you home again."
Mom always liked her and had mentioned several times over the years it was a shame that we'd broken up. But she'd understood why. The distance was just too much. But now that Natasha was back in town for good, would Mom try and push us together?
She was ecstatic that Lincoln had found the love of his life. Would she want all of us to do the same? She wouldn't think of the ramifications on the business if things didn't work out.
"It's good to be back," Natasha said.
"I'm so sorry about your parents. It was absolutely heartbreaking," Mom said, and the room was quiet.
Natasha's eyes were shiny at the comment. "Thank you."