by Tara Randel
Heidi had to admire Mia. The girl went after what she wanted. Why shouldn’t Heidi do the same?
Her mind spun in circles and the wild notion that had kept her awake bombarded her again. Reid was in the room across the hallway. She could march right over, suggest they go to the party together like it was no big thing.
She cringed. Fear of rejection kept her from moving. Sure, they were friends. Showed up at the same events even. Why would this one be any different?
Because you want to go with him as a date, not friends.
Yep, that was her dilemma.
Don’t be such a chicken.
Okay, refocus. She could make another deal with him, although this time she didn’t have a bargaining chip. It would be Heidi, putting herself out there when she had no reason to think Reid would ever be interested in her in a romantic way.
But he could be, and if you don’t ask, you’ll never know.
“Be quiet,” she muttered to herself. She didn’t believe it was her imagination, the gentle smiles Reid sent her way or the heat that seemed to ramp up when they brushed arms while doing a task. Surely, he’d felt the zing when they removed the mirror from the bathroom wall, crowded into a small space, bumping into each other while at the same time trying to keep their distance.
But what if she was wrong?
She heard Alveda’s voice in her head. I didn’t teach you to be a quitter.
Okay. It was now or never.
She walked to the doorway, smoothing the creases wrinkling her skirt and tugging the denim jacket tighter over her silky tank top. Her low heels echoed on the cement floor. Then she crossed the hallway. Then she went into Reid’s room where she...stopped.
His back was to her. His muscles pulled against the forest-green Henley shirt he wore. His jeans fit exactly right, and his boots looked a little less beat-up than the ones he normally wore on the jobsite. She was so captured by the sight of him that it took a moment for her to realize he was on the phone.
“I know it’s last minute, Ains, but time got away from me. I promise, it’ll be a fun night if you agree to come to my brother’s party with me.”
It took Heidi several moments to comprehend that Reid was asking the person on the other end of the phone to the engagement party.
“You remember Logan. He came to visit during our last semester at college.”
An old college girlfriend?
His shoulders relaxed. “That’s great, Ainsley. I’ll pick you up around six on Saturday.”
Heidi’s face heated. Well, if she had any questions about Reid being attracted to her, that conversation cleared them up. Slowly tiptoeing away so Reid would never know she was there, Heidi made for a hasty exit. But Reid chose that exact moment to catch her trying to escape with her dignity intact.
“Heidi, I didn’t see you there.”
She swallowed hard, giving herself time to go for unaffected instead of mortified. She turned.
“Sorry. When I noticed you were on the phone, I tried to leave so I wouldn’t disturb you.”
“No problem. I’m finished.” He tossed the phone on the long table where some tools and half-constructed projects were scattered across the surface. “Just making plans for the party.”
“Oh. Good.”
He started putting tools away in a metal box, but then paused. “Something up?”
“No. Just thought I’d come by and say hi.”
Lame.
“Like we didn’t see each other enough at the jobsite today?”
“True.” She forced a laugh. “I’ll let you get home—”
“Wait. I have good news.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“I got a date for the party.”
Tamping down the twinge of jealousy, she managed a teasing tone she didn’t feel. “So, you did indeed thwart your grandmother after all.”
“I did. Ainsley is someone Grandmother would fix me up with herself, so she can’t complain.”
“Well then, you should be pleased.”
“I am.” He grinned. “You’ll like Ainsley.”
Would she? “An old college friend?”
“Yeah. She lives down near Atlanta, so we don’t bump into each other often.”
Heidi was impressed by the fact that her voice sounded normal. “It’s nice you’ve maintained a connection with her.”
“It’s been a while, but my family already knows her. I brought her home to visit when we were attending Clemson.”
Heidi had been away at college herself, so she’d never met Reid’s friends if they came home with him on long weekends.
“That’s great that it all worked out.” She made a point of checking her watch. “I’ll see you Saturday,” she said, giving him a little wave as she left the room.
Once she was safely back in her own room, Heidi closed her eyes. What had she been thinking? If this didn’t prove that she and Reid were only meant to be friends, she didn’t know what else did. She had to get him out of her system, because letting this attraction grow would only make her miserable.
She stuffed papers into her tote, then slung the bag over her shoulder. Silently flinched at the achy muscles. As she fished for her car keys in her purse, she heard the door across the hall close. Not wanting to walk out of the building with Reid, she procrastinated in order to give him a head start. Once it was quiet, she turned to leave, only to find Reid leaning against the doorjamb. In the bright light, his eyes were the same deep shade as his hunter-green shirt. He looked so good, so solid, so...Reid. It hurt.
She stumbled and the tote slipped down her arm, landing on the floor. Two small cans rolled out and she got down on her knees to retrieve them.
Reid hurried over, placing his toolbox on a table before he joined her.
“You okay?”
“You just startled me. I thought I was alone.”
Reid reached for the can. Held it up and smiled. “Cat food?”
“I stopped by Masterson House earlier. Alveda gave them to me. She’s always buying toys or food for Mr. Whiskers.”
“I need to meet that lucky guy.”
Reid at her apartment? She nearly choked. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.
“Usually she makes his food from scratch and sends it home with me. He’s picky, so I try to bribe him with fresh chicken, fish...”
Why was she going on about her cat?
Once she had her belongings inside the tote, she rose. Reid took hold of her arm to steady her. Actually, it was his casual touch that set her off-balance, but that seemed to be a regular reaction these days.
“Thanks.”
He tilted his head. “Are you okay?”
“Of course. I’m always good.”
He sent her a knowing look.
“I have a lot on my plate just now. No biggie.”
“Maybe you should slow down.”
So she had more time to spend with her ridiculous thoughts? No, thank you.
“I’ll be fine. Thanks for being concerned.”
“That’s what friends do.”
Ah, right. It was official. Reid did not have romantic feelings for her.
This was good, she told herself. Now she could move on. Get back on track. Look at Reid as her old buddy, not the hunky contractor who had a starring role in her daydreams.
“I’m glad you said that,” she confirmed. “We are friends.”
There. She’d made a public declaration she wouldn’t take back.
Reid looked at her with a funny expression but shrugged. He opened his mouth, but just then, his phone dinged. He pulled the cell from his pocket.
“It’s Logan,” he said.
Saved by a text.
“He wants me to meet him at Smitty’s Pub.”
“Then you should probably get going
.”
He picked up the toolbox. “Want to come with? It’s a nice night and we could walk over together.”
Smitty’s, the local hangout for Golden residents, was four blocks away. While it would indeed be a beautiful night to enjoy, the idea of spending more time with Reid made her antsy.
“I’m going to head home.”
Reid nodded. Waited.
“Is there something else?” she asked.
“Just waiting so we can walk out together.”
Ever the gentleman, he wasn’t going to let her go to the parking lot alone. Not wanting to make a scene or have him continue to ask what was wrong with her, she walked along beside him.
This whole friends-only act would be hard to maintain.
* * *
SOMETHING WAS UP with Heidi. She was uptight and barely talked on the way to the parking lot. She’d been nonstop chatty since he’d agreed to let her work at the house reno, so why the near silent treatment tonight?
The evening had grown chilly. It was early April after all, but a long way from the cold winter they’d just endured. Spring had always been Reid’s favorite time of year, and this one was shaping up to be stellar. He needed to carve out a few hours from his schedule to go hiking or out on the lake in the family boat. Maybe the gang could get together and make a day of it. He was busy but could always make time for a much-needed break.
He glanced at Heidi. She loved going for hikes up to Pine Tree Overlook. They could pack a lunch, stop somewhere along the trail, just the two of them...
“Warbler?” she asked.
He shook his head as the picnic scene in his head dissipated like smoke. “What?”
“The bird making noise above us. It sounds like a warbler.”
“You remember?”
“Sure. You taught me.”
Because his grandfather had taught him.
Josiah Masterson had been an important figure in Reid’s life as he grew up. Whenever things got dicey at home, Pops would search Reid out and they’d go off to the woods on an adventure. The older man had been an avid bird-watcher, showing Reid everything he knew. Reid, in turn, shared his knowledge with Heidi when they’d go hiking often during the summer. His friends would have probably razzed him over his ornithology interest, but Heidi was game to learn all his granddad had taught him.
Pops had faithfully gone to the Masterson Enterprises office every day until he retired, although his heart had been devoted to the great outdoors.
“My granddad left quite a legacy.”
“You also learned to use your woodworking tools from him.”
She remembered that too?
Reid nodded. “It always amazed me how his woodwork was so detailed and precise.”
“Is that why you got your general contractor’s license? Because of your granddad?”
“He always told me to have another avenue to fall back on in case finance didn’t work out for me.”
“I really didn’t think much about it at first, but then I put two-and-two together. Between Masterson’s commercial construction and you flipping houses, you’d need a license.”
“I took the contractors’ test right out of college.” A bitter laugh slipped out. “Ticked off my dad.”
They’d had an argument about it, highlighting one in their long list of differences. His father didn’t think Reid needed the license as long as his father had connections to contractors. But Reid had been committed to the family business and getting the license was another way to make a solid contribution to the company. It had been a vow he’d promised Pops, because his grandfather had wanted Reid to be able to stand on his own two feet, have multiple skills, something his father never understood. Pops didn’t say much, but he saw everything.
Heidi lightly touched his arm. “I never got to meet him, but I’m positive he’d be proud of you.”
Reid swallowed hard. His grandfather had meant a lot to him, and when he’d died right before Heidi came to town, it had knocked Reid off his axis. How many times did he wish Pops was here to give him advice or play hooky and go fishing for an afternoon?
Leave it to Heidi to sense his mood and try to make him feel better.
“Your grandmother must miss him too,” Heidi said. “She never remarried.”
“Said she couldn’t pretend she’d ever love anyone else.” They stopped by Heidi’s car. “Although, sometimes I think she gets lonely.”
“Your grandmother?” Heidi laughed. “With all the activities she’s involved in? I imagine her rising at dawn to map out her conquests for the day, then falling into bed at night after she’s meddled in enough people’s business or made sure she had her say in town events. I wish I had half her energy.”
At that picture, Reid chuckled. “She is constantly on the go, but sometimes she gets this...I don’t know...lost look in her eyes when she doesn’t think anyone will notice.”
Heidi pressed the key fob to unlock her sedan. “I suppose that’s what having a great love is all about.”
Was it? Reid didn’t know. He’d never fallen so completely in love that he couldn’t imagine life without that other person.
Once she had the door open, Heidi glanced at him. “So, thanks for escorting me to my car. Your duty is done.”
“It’s not a duty. I like making sure you’re okay.”
Her eyes went wide. “Is that why you tried to run me off from the more detailed jobs at the demo?”
He placed a hand on his chest. “You’ve found me out.”
“Honestly, you need to give me a chance.”
“Like when you were dragging the sink out of the bathroom and tripped, nearly landing facedown on the floor? Or when I had to explain to you and Phil about job safety?”
“This is all new to me, Reid. Give me time and I’ll run circles around you.”
He laughed. From experience he knew if given the chance, Heidi would one-up him. That’s why he always tried to stay a step ahead.
She tossed her bags inside. “Since you don’t need my help at the house for the rest of the week, I’ll see you at the party.”
They were at the stage of the remodel where the team would finish up the demo and then bring in new drywall, wood and other materials to start the next phase. There was electrical work to be done, as well as additional plumbing. He had to admit, he’d miss her sunny face greeting him in the morning.
“Be safe,” he said as she slid into the driver’s seat. He had a grip on the top of the door and once she was settled, he closed it. She sent him a wave and he nodded, then tossed his toolbox into the truck bed and began walking to Smitty’s to meet Logan.
He slowed down at the end of the block, waiting for Heidi to drive by on her route home. A few minutes passed and he couldn’t ignore the feeling that something was wrong. He retraced his steps, discovering her car in the same spot. Concerned, he walked over and rapped on the window.
She almost jumped, her surprise evident when her gaze met his. She rolled down the window.
“You scared the life out of me again. Twice in one night.”
“Sorry. When you didn’t pass by, I came to check on you.”
“The car won’t start.”
He opened the door. “Pop the hood. Maybe it’s something obvious.”
She did as he suggested and exited the car. As she brushed by him, Reid inhaled her floral scent. He froze for a split second, then went to take a look at the engine. Lately, it seemed like every time he was in confined spaces with Heidi, his attention zoomed to her and not the job at hand. All his focus would shift to her pretty amber eyes or the smile that made his chest hitch. If this kept up, he’d need his own refresher on job safety whenever Heidi was around.
“Do you think it’s the battery?” she asked.
“Or the starter.” He closed the hood and joined her.
&
nbsp; She blew out a breath. “I’ve been meaning to bring the car in for maintenance, but time got away from me.”
“This late, the auto garage is closed.”
Heidi searched around the car’s dim interior and produced her phone. She rested her free hand on the door frame. Her fingers brushed his and he felt that buzz of awareness he’d been craving lately.
“What are you doing?” he asked, focusing on her moving fingers instead of his reaction to his friend.
“Calling a tow truck. If I can get the car to the shop tonight, maybe Mark can look at it first thing in the morning.”
Reid took his phone from his pocket. “Let me text him. Mark owes me a favor, so I should get you first on the list tomorrow.”
She grinned. “See how this owing thing comes in handy?”
He sent the message. “Done.”
Heidi’s phone rang and she answered it. A moment later, she said to him, “Someone will be here within the hour. They’ll text me when they’re on the way.”
“That long?” Reid looked up and down the nearly deserted street. The business district of Golden closed early until the summer crowds showed up.
“Yep.” She waved him off. “Go on to Smitty’s. I’ll wait in my car.”
“No way. Come with me until the driver contacts you and I’ll walk you back.”
“You’re supposed to be meeting Logan.”
Why was she pushing him to go alone? “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re giving me the brush-off.”
“I don’t want to be the reason you miss spending time with your brother.”
“If I did meet him and he found out I’d left you alone, he wouldn’t be happy, and neither would I, so you’re stuck with me.” Her standoffish look shouldn’t bother him, but it did. “Besides, you’ll need a lift home.”
“I can call a ride share.”
Okay, enough was enough. “Heidi, what gives? Are you upset with me about something?”
She was chewing her lower lip, like she did when she was uncertain. “What do you mean?”
“You didn’t want to walk to the car. You don’t want me to wait with you or drive you home later.”
“You know I hate depending on people, Reid.”
