Build a Nerd

by Wendy Smith

  Great. This is all I need. A geeky project manager who doesn’t know what he’s doing.

  I straighten up. “I’m sure you know this is my first solo project, but I’ve worked closely with Brad on the retirement village. I’m sure your project manager and I will work through it all together.”

  Molly smiles. “Brad thinks a lot of you. He has faith, and that’s enough for me.”

  That warms my heart. She trusts me. “Thank you. Brad’s a great guy.”

  Her smile turns into a grin. “Yes, he is.”

  The door behind us clicks, and sunlight floods through it.

  “Tom.” Molly grins. She gets up and walks past my chair.

  I stand and turn.

  There’s a tall man in the doorway. Tall and bearded. I can’t see his face with the sun shining through the door, but he drops his bags as Molly wraps her arms around his chest and hugs him.

  Curiosity leaves me narrowing my eyes to try and take a look at him. He has two of my favorite qualities in a man. Height and a beard.

  Oh stop it. I just know he’s going to be a boring stick in the mud who has to be guided through this whole project.

  He pulls the door closed behind him when she lets him go, and she turns toward me.

  “Bridget, this is Tom. Tom, Bridget. She’ll be the supervisor on-site for the construction company, and she’s the woman you’ll be working with.”

  It’s weird. She says it as if she’s proud of me.

  Tom grins, and my knees go kind of weak. He’s cute. Dark hair, brown eyes, and his glasses make him uber-hot.

  This isn’t supposed to happen. He’s not supposed to be my type.

  “Good to meet you, Bridget,” he says, walking toward me and extending his hand.

  I shake it. “Good to meet you too.”

  “Bridget and I were just having a coffee. Want one?” Molly asks.

  He nods. “I’d love one. The coffee’s awful on the plane. It’d be good to stretch my legs afterward too.”

  “I can show you around the site,” I say.

  “That’d be great.”

  Molly goes back to the coffee machine while Tom sits in the armchair next to me.

  “Miranda gave me a message to give you,” he says over his shoulder, looking at Molly.

  “What’s that?” Molly asks.

  “She says you’re a bitch for not calling her yesterday to keep her company. She had to drink a bottle of tequila by herself.”

  Molly laughs. “I’ll call her.”

  “I wouldn’t. When I left the office, she’d crawled off to have a sleep because she wasn’t feeling well.”

  I grin. “A bottle of tequila will do that.”

  He fixes his gaze on me. There’s a spark of mischief in his eyes behind those glasses. He’s letting me into their little family. “That was always Molly and Miranda’s drink of choice when celebrating. Miranda’s brother got engaged yesterday.”

  Molly returns with a coffee cup and places it on the table in front of Tom. “I’m not sure if she was celebrating or commiserating. Miranda comes from a big family, and she’s the last single one.”

  “Ouch.” I grimace.

  “She’ll be okay. It’s not like she doesn’t get offers. She’s just looking for the right person,” Tom says.

  “Not unlike someone else I know.” Molly smiles at him, and something passes between them. I guess they know about each other’s lives because they’ve known each other for so long.

  He doesn’t have a girlfriend?

  No, Bridget. You’re here to work.

  Why do I get the feeling that working will be the easy part?

  3

  Bridget

  Molly and Tom disappear during the afternoon, and I get on the phone to organize the excavation equipment we’ll need to start digging the foundations. Molly’s given me a desk to use while I’m here until we get in a small unit for me to work out of.

  The words Molly said keep coming back about Brad’s faith in me. I knew he trusted me to give me this project, but having that reassurance is nice.

  It’s a little before five when I make my way out to my car. I’ve had her since high school. She’s a little beat up, but my Honda Civic has driven me halfway across the country when I moved here, and she’s been reliable. Which is more than I can say for any of the men in my life.

  I drive the short distance to Jackson’s Bar. It’s the only bar in town and I feel like a beer before I go home. The day’s not been too taxing, but I want to have my own little celebration to commemorate my first day on the job..

  “Bridget.” Jackson greets me with a warm smile. He’s always happy to see me, and it makes me grateful for him all over again.

  “Hey. Can I have a beer, please?”

  He slips a slice of lime into a bottle of Corona. “Already had one half prepared.”

  “You know me too well.”

  He nods. “I do. And it’s Monday. Though you’re here a bit earlier than usual.”

  “Today was the first day on my new project. Meetings and all.”

  “New project?”

  I press the seams of my lips together for a moment. “I’m in charge of the build for Molly’s new corporate headquarters.”

  His smile spreads into a wide grin. “That’s fantastic. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thanks. I really do appreciate it.”

  “It’ll be good, her having her headquarters here. It might mean more companies take another look at Nettle Downs.”

  I take a sip of beer. “Let’s hope so. It can’t be bad for business.”

  “Maybe I’ll open another bar.” He chuckles.

  Most nights are busy in here. He could easily extend the place and still fill it at weekends. Adding the restaurant brought in families. I take a look around at the handful of customers. Monday’s the quiet night, and that’s when I like to come in for a quiet drink.

  Helping Jackson would be good for my career. I’m sure we’d make a great team. “I’ll help you build one.” I grin.

  “Well, now you’re out in the world doing your own projects, I might just have to take you up on that.”

  I take another slow sip of beer.

  “I met her project manager today. He’s moving to town.”

  Jackson nods. “Nice. The other staff she has here seem to be good people.”

  “I think this one is too. He’s kinda cute.”

  He chews on his bottom lip, as if trying not to laugh.

  “What? He’s tall. Not as tall as you are, but tall. And he’s got a beard. And you know how I feel about beards.”

  Jackson nods. “I know how you feel about beards.”

  “Perfect for sitting on.”

  “Bridget?” Tom’s voice comes from behind me.

  I freeze. Jackson lets go of his laughter, and I close my eyes. Shit. Right when I’m being a smartass.

  Turning around, I come almost face-to-face with Tom. He’s got a silly grin on his face, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment. How much did he hear?

  “Tom. Hi,” I say.

  “Hi.” He drops his gaze, and looks away shyly. It’s so insanely cute.

  Behind the bar, Jackson clears his throat.

  “Oh. Sorry. Jackson, this is Tom. Tom, this is Jackson. He owns the bar.” I smile. “It’s the only bar in Nettle Downs, so this is the place to drink.”

  “Nice to meet you, Tom.” Jackson extends his hand and the two shake. “What can I get for you?”

  Tom nods toward my beer. “What Bridget’s having would be great.”

  “One Corona, coming up.”

  “Thanks. Drinking alone?” Tom asks me as he pulls up the next barstool.

  I smile. “Just thought I’d grab a beer before I head home. Where did you and Molly disappear to this afternoon?”

  “She took me to the motel she’s putting me up in until I find somewhere to live.”

  “Which one?” I ask.

  “Lakeside Motel.”

  I
cock an eyebrow. “That’s not too close. How did you get back into town?”

  “I walked.”

  “It must have taken an hour.”

  He nods. “It did. I thought I’d have a look around and find something for dinner.”

  Jackson places the beer in front of him. “Want a menu?”

  “That’d be great, thanks,” Tom says.

  Jackson retrieves one from behind the bar and hands it to Tom before heading down the other end to serve another customer.

  “Why are you staying at Lakeside? There are closer motels.” I sip my beer.

  He shrugs. “Molly booked it. It seems nice, and the view of the lake is relaxing.”

  “Don’t they have a restaurant on-site?”

  He smiles. “They do, and they offer room service. But I think I’m the only one staying there, so I thought I’d head out to see what else there was.”

  I usually get takeout and go home after a beer on Monday, but today I hesitate. He’s all alone.

  “I’ll have dinner here too and take you back afterward if you want. It’ll save you the walk.”

  Tom’s gaze fixes on mine. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

  “It’s fine. It’s not too long a drive. Fuck walking back.”

  Laughing, he takes a sip of beer. “I appreciate the offer. Thanks. I’ll pay for dinner.”

  “No, it’s fine. I would have just ended up with a takeout meal from here to eat in front of the television tonight.”

  “I’ll probably end up doing the same. Watching television, I mean. All my things are packed in a storage unit in San Jose, so I’ve got nothing else to do.”

  I smile. “We’ll have dinner, and I’ll take you for a scenic drive back to the motel.”

  He nods. “Sounds like a great idea.”

  “Let’s grab a table.”

  I lead the way across the room to my favorite table. —the one in the corner away from everyone.

  “The food here is great. I usually grab a burger, but there’s a good range.”

  Tom smiles. “I’ll try a burger, then. Must be good if you have it regularly.”

  “Jackson has very high standards.”

  He glances at the menu and back at me. “Are you two …?”

  For a moment, what he’s asking doesn’t register. Are Jackson and I … ? My eyes widen. “No. We’re good friends.”

  “Oh.” He looks back at the menu again.

  “The usual, Bridget?” Kayley, one of Jackson’s staff, walks toward us.

  “Can you make that two?” Tom asks.

  She nods, flashing a bright smile at him. “Sure.”

  We’re not on a date. This isn’t awkward.

  For a moment, she lingers. I don’t blame her. It’s not like eligible men fall from the sky around here often. Assuming Tom is single.

  I cock my head, looking at her. Eventually her gaze shifts, and she turns on her heel to walk toward the kitchen.

  “So, you’re moving here?” I ask.

  Tom nods. “I sure am.”

  I take a sip of my beer, eager to confirm my earlier suspicions. “Just you? Or do you have a family to move?”

  His lips curl. “Just me. I’ll start looking for a place in the next couple of days closer to town.”

  Interesting. “Renting or buying?”

  He shrugs. “Whatever turns up. I’ve been renting in San Jose, but I have enough to buy a place out here.”

  Maybe this is my chance to spend a little time getting to know him. “If you need any help looking, I’m available.”

  He grins. “I’d appreciate it. The sooner I find a place of my own, the sooner I can get my stuff out of storage.”

  “I’d be happy to help. It didn’t take me long to find my apartment, but I guess it depends on what you’re looking for.”

  He nods. “I had a two bedroom apartment in San Jose. Ideally, I want something bigger. I’ve got a ton of things in storage, and I’d prefer not to squeeze them in somewhere.”

  His words make me smile thinking of my own place. I didn’t own a lot when I moved here, found a one-bedroom apartment and never looked further.

  Tom seems to be more certain about his future here than I was about mine when I moved. For the longest time, I’d thought my past might follow me. It left me unsettled.

  “You’re close to Molly, right? What’s she really like?” I ask. Some part of me still wants to hear something bad about her. Not to go to Brad with, but to make myself feel better. Saint Molly has to have some flaws.

  “Molly’s the best. I guess you haven’t had a chance to get to know her yet.”

  I shake my head. “Not really. I know a little bit about her past with Brad, but I’ve not had much to do with her yet.”

  He shrugs. “She’s a whirlwind. She gets an idea in her head and she goes for it.” When he meets my gaze, I’m thrown off guard by his intensity. Is he always like this? “I was dubious about the move here at first, but I think it’s a good move. If anyone can make it work, it’ll be Molly.”

  “Are you in love with her?” I’m not sure why the thought strikes, and even less sure why I’m asking.

  He swallows down the sip of beer he just took and laughs out loud. “No. She’s like my sister.” He chuckles. “Molly’s such a mother hen.”

  Great. Someone else who clearly thinks the world of her. He must have known her a long time. “I heard most of you have been together since the beginning.”

  He nods. “Pretty close. Molly created Aeon and the first game people could play on it, and it took off. After she freaked out, she started employing more people to help her. We’re like one big, dysfunctional family.”

  I laugh. “Brad’s the same. I wasn’t far off becoming qualified as a builder when my asshole boss decided he’d try and make me into a booty call. So, I quit with nowhere to go, and then saw an ad online. I had no idea what Nettle Downs was like, but it sounded nice. After I had the job with Brad, I mentioned that I’d been harassed by my old boss and Brad called him to rip him a new one.”

  Tom grins. “Really? I’ve met Brad a couple of times, and he seems like a good guy. He’d have to be for Molly to adore him the way she does.”

  “Believe me, the feeling’s mutual.”

  “They’re well matched, then.” He takes a sip of his beer, and I’m glad because it gives me a chance to hide the pain his comment causes.

  “Here you are.” Kayley carries a tray toward the table. She places my plate in front of me and then slides Tom’s food in front of him.

  “Thank you,” he says. “It looks amazing.”

  The burgers here look like they do in the ads. They’re full of fresh ingredients, sourced from around the area. Jackson does a lot for the locals.

  “It tastes amazing too.” Kayley’s all breathy, and I roll my eyes. She can back the hell away. I saw him first.

  Woah. Where did that come from?

  Tom turns his gaze to me. “I’m sure if you like it, it’ll be great.”

  Kayley leaves us and heads toward another table, but I’ll bet anything she’ll be back shortly for our drinks order.

  My stomach grumbles, and I pick up the burger. These are good. I take a big bite and moan as the meat, cheese, and sauce hit my taste buds.

  “That good, huh?” Tom picks his up and takes a bite. His expression tells the whole story. “That is good,” he says once he swallows. “I’ve eaten a lot of takeout in my time, and these are amazing.”

  “Everything’s really fresh. I’m sure that’s the key.”

  “If this is what life here is gonna be like, I think I’ll eat here every night.”

  I laugh. “I’m sure Jackson won’t complain.”

  “Was that an Internet cafe I spotted next door?”

  I nod. “Sure was. Dean runs the cafe. He went to school with Molly and Brad. So did Jackson.”

  Tom takes a sip of beer. “Very small town, then.”

  “Very. Good at gossip too, so just watch that.”
/>
  He laughs. “I doubt I’d do much to gossip about.”

  I take another bite of my burger as he does. Instead of wolfing it down like I usually do, I savor it, enjoying watching the obvious enjoyment in Tom’s face.

  “You’re new to town and having dinner with me. That’s enough.” I look at him from under my lashes.

  His smile lights up his whole face. “I think I can handle that.”

  Tom’s reaction leaves me blushing.

  A little gossip about us won’t hurt.

  The burgers are delicious, and the conversation comes easy between us. I could talk to Tom for hours. But it’s time to go.

  Tom and I make our way to the bar. Jackson looks up as we approach.

  “The meal was amazing,” Tom says. “You might see me around here quite a lot.”

  Jackson laughs. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  When Tom reaches for his wallet, Jackson shakes his head.

  “It’s on the house. A little welcome to the neighborhood.” Jackson winks at me.

  “Thanks. That’s fantastic. You know, once Mollab is established here, you’ll have an influx of us. I hope you’re ready for that,” Tom says.

  “I sure am.” Jackson beams. “Are you two out of here?”

  “I’m going to take Tom back to his motel.”

  Jackson’s eyebrows quirk. “That’s good of you.”

  “I’m not letting him walk home in the dark in a town he doesn’t know yet.” The words fall out before I realize I’m sounding like I’m on the defensive.

  “I was just asking.” Jackson shrugs.

  “Come on; let’s go.” I turn toward the door and Tom follows me. He draws level as we hit the sidewalk and we walk down the street together. “I’ll pick you up in the morning if you need a ride.”

  He shrugs. “Molly said she’d come and get me.”

  “She’s got enough on her plate. I know she’s taking Grace to school. Why don’t you text her and tell her I’ll do it?”

  I stop in front of my car. He meets my gaze. His eyes are chocolate brown and I’ve got a sweet tooth.