Finding Ms. Write

by Jae

  “I bet.”

  “But it helps pay the bills.”

  “With all these renovations you have going, it must.”

  “Oh, well…my salary fluctuates. It’s more like feast or famine, but when my grandmother passed away a couple weeks ago, she left me this beautiful home and cash enough to make some essential updates.” Ginny giggled. “I won’t even tell you about the blue countertops that matched the carpet in the kitchen.”

  “Carpet in the kitchen?” Jo laughed. “Oh my, that must have been a sight.” Their gazes connected for a moment before Jo looked away. “Well, I picked up materials as soon as the lumber yard opened this morning, and I think I have everything I need to get started.”

  “You certainly don’t waste any time.”

  “I much prefer to be efficient. Besides, I don’t want to keep you from a restful night’s sleep in your cozy bed. The sooner I complete this project, the sooner I can get out of your hair.”

  Ginny nodded, and the faint rumble of a truck pulling into the driveway drew her attention. “That must be the guys.” She stood up. “Let me know if you need any help getting your tool thingies ready.”

  “Tool thingies?” Jo’s chin dropped to her chest, her smile still prominent across her cheeks.

  “You know what I mean, the wood-cutting equipment.”

  “I think I’ve got it under control, but if I need you, I will certainly let you know. Holler if you need me as well.”

  Ginny sighed. “Just send good vibes that things will go much better today than they did yesterday.”

  Jo winked. “You’ve got it.”

  Ginny found herself chewing on the cap of her red pen, staring as Jo measured and cut pieces of wood in the distance. The air smelled of fresh sawdust and coffee, and Jo had removed her denim button-up shirt. She wore a sleeveless top with a collar and buttons. Her strong shoulders and long arms distracted Ginny from her manuscript.

  “Am I making too much noise?” Jo yelled from under the tree.

  Ginny quickly looked away from Jo’s biceps and blushed at the thought of being caught ogling. “Not at all. Just zoning out. I’d better get back to these edits.” Out of the corner of her eye she could see Jo approaching.

  “I think I may take a quick break for some lemonade.” She walked up the steps to the patio. “Can I fetch you some as well?” Sweat beaded on her skin above the open buttons of her shirt and glistened in the sun.

  Ginny gulped. “Lemonade sounds fantastic, but I should be fixing you some. I am merely sitting, making minimal markups with my handy red pen.” She raised it in the air before realizing it was full of teeth marks. She quickly set it down and hid it beneath her hand.

  “Well, I think my van may be more suitable for mixing up some drinks than your kitchen at the moment.”

  The sound of drilling came from inside the house.

  “True.” Ginny looked at her watch. “I guess it’s still too early to break out a bottle of wine.”

  “I would love to share some wine with you when I’ve finished for the evening. It’s best I don’t drink and cut.”

  “Will you join me for dinner?” Ginny wrinkled her eyebrows. “I mean, if you’re okay with delivery. I still don’t have a working oven.”

  “I’ll tell you what…I have lasagna that I need to warm up. Do you eat meat?”

  “Absolutely. You have an oven in your van as well?”

  “No, my roommate—Kimberly—made it the other night. She gave me a large enough slab to feed a classroom of hungry preschoolers. All I need to do is throw it in the microwave. It would mean a lot to me if you’d share it with me. Seriously, there’s plenty, and Kimberly is an outstanding cook.”

  “Sounds great.” She blinked twice. “I have some Cabernet Sauvignon that would pair well with a meaty lasagna.”

  “Perfect, so a late dinner on the patio?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Fantastic, I’ll go fetch us some lemonade.”

  Ginny tried not to pay too much attention to the form-fitting pockets on the back of Jo’s jeans as she descended the patio steps and disappeared around the corner. “A roommate named Kimberly?” she whispered.

  “Great, you’re here. I was about to send Jamal to get you,” Stanley said. “We have a problem.”

  “A problem? What problem?” Ginny asked.

  Stanley waved for her to follow him. “Your plumbing.”

  “My plumbing?”

  “After we install the granite and then attach the under-mount sink, everything’s gonna be off by an inch or two. We need to get all new pipes. It’s gonna be expensive.”

  “How expensive?”

  “Two thousand, maybe three thousand dollars.”

  “Three grand?”

  “We gotta buy all new stuff and cut everything to fit. It’s all gotta be customized. Customization is expensive.”

  “But the plumbing, electricity, time, and materials…I thought all that was covered in the initial bid.”

  Matt’s gaze darted over to Stanley.

  “I’ll tell you what,” Stanley said as he patted his pocket. “I’ll work you out a deal because I like you. How’s that sound?”

  She scowled.

  “I’ll drop the price a whole fifty percent. I got a friend who has a friend who can get me the materials at a discounted price. I’ll pass those savings on to you. Capisce? How’s fifteen-hundred dollars tops sound?”

  “I need to think about it.”

  “There ain’t nothin’ to think about. We’ll save you hundreds, get the best quality materials, and build it up right. You have my word.”

  She took a deep breath. “I need to think about it.”

  He shrugged. “All righty, but it’s a good deal.” He snatched the cigarette he had tucked behind his right ear and stuck it to his bottom lip. “I’m gonna go grab a quick smoke.”

  “Ginny speaking,” she answered her cell phone without looking to see who was calling.

  “Hey, Gin, it’s Fiona. How are those edits coming?”

  She was at least a day behind. “I’ve got my red pen out and manuscript lying in front of me as we speak.” She lifted the remaining pages she had left to edit and tapped them against the patio table in an attempt to line them up. The untouched pile felt even thicker than what she had started with days earlier.

  “Great, I can’t wait to see your notes. Any chance I’ll get them a day early?”

  Ginny’s eyes bulged at the request, just as Jo walked up the steps and set a glass of iced lemonade on the table in front of her.

  “I’ll see what I can do, but I’m still planning on e-mailing the updates to you Friday.” She gave a half smile to Jo.

  Jo winked and walked back to her workspace beneath the oak tree. She took long, confident strides toward the table saw.

  “I understand. Can’t blame me for trying.” Fiona snorted. “What do you think so far?”

  Ginny looked at the pile of pages she had completed. She certainly had to ramp things up to have it done on time. The amount of markings in red ink didn’t seem to be too overwhelming, but for the life of her, she couldn’t even recall what she had read. “You’ll have to wait until I have completed all my edits.”

  “Oh, come on. Throw me a bone here. I’m dying to know what you think so far.”

  She pinched the skin at the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. “Fiona…”

  “All right, all right. I’ll wait and read what you think tomorrow.” She snickered.

  “Friday,” Ginny corrected. “I can’t promise any earlier.”

  Stanley yelled something in the background, but she had no idea what he was saying.

  “Okay, I’ll let you get back to it, then.”

  Gi
nny opened her eyes and blinked several times to regain her focus. “Have a good rest of your day.”

  “You too, sweets.”

  The cell phone went silent as Ginny watched Jo slice a thick board in two.

  She slipped her red pen between her teeth, picked up the manuscript and lemonade, and then headed into her room. She hoped working from her bed would provide fewer distractions.

  “They quoted you how much?” Jo shook her head no, her chin sunk to her chest. “They are definitely taking advantage of you.”

  “I just don’t know what to do. I know what they initially quoted is pretty competitive after getting similar quotes from other contractors.” She looked at Jo. “These excessive upcharges are going to drain what I have set aside for other home projects.”

  Jo pushed her plate to the side and grabbed her wineglass. She leaned on the table and rested her fingers on Ginny’s wrist. “Let me take care of the plumbing for you. You just have them bring the materials, and I’ll do the customization, free of charge.” She withdrew her hand. “It frustrates me when people try to take advantage of others.”

  “I can’t have you do that.”

  “Of course you can. It’s a very simple task, really. I want to do it for you.” Her eyes darkened.

  Ginny smiled and gave a tentative nod. “I’m going to have them complete what they started, and if they ask for more money, I am going to say hell-to-the no.” She blushed from using such language, but after drinking more Cabernet than she had intended, she felt recklessly uninhibited.

  “That’s my girl.” Jo’s dimples looked even more recessed in the dark.

  “Speaking of girl, who is Kimberly?”

  Jo chuckled. “Kimberly…as in my roommate Kimberly?”

  Ginny squinted. “Define roommate.” She didn’t care; she would allow the Cabernet to help her speak her mind, even if it meant she would need to play the alcohol-induced forgetfulness card in the morning.

  “Well, she is one of my three roommates. I make number four. There’s Kimberly, who made the incredible lasagna we just scarfed down. Jack, who happens to be one of the most excellent hairdressers I know.” She flipped her hair for effect. “And last but not least, there’s Johanna. She works in retail, but the housewife styles don’t suit me, so I have to regretfully refrain from shopping her boutique.”

  Ginny leaned back in her seat. The glow of the battery-operated lantern illuminated the patio table. “So, you’re all just friends?”

  “Friends who save each other money by sharing a lease on a four-bedroom home. We all have our own bedroom.” She paused as if to let the words sink in. “I fix things when I’m there, but for the most part, I go from place to place, living out of my van.”

  Ginny took another swig of wine before smiling down at the now empty glass.

  “Now I want to know something about you.” Jo swirled the wine in her glass. “Tell me how you acquired the name Virginia Wolf…Wolf with only a slight variation of spelling to the British modernist author herself. As you can tell, I am a big fan.”

  “Well, I’m named after my late grandmother, Miss Virginia Ida Carroll. Since she helped raise me and we had the same first name, I acquired the nickname—Ginny—and it stuck.”

  Jo’s probing stare sent heat flashes through Ginny’s body.

  “Wolf came from my mom and dad. They married just after I was conceived.”

  “But they didn’t raise you?”

  “From what my grandmother told me, their marriage lasted less than a year. They divorced and went their separate ways—from me as well as my grandparents—so my grandparents raised me here in this very house.” She flung her hands up in the air. “And here I shall stay.” She almost slid off the edge of her chair before grabbing the table for support.

  Jo was quick to get up and help her back into the center of her seat. “I take it you’re feeling the wine.”

  “I have something to confess.” She shook her head. “I don’t drink very often.”

  Jo chuckled. “It’s no problem. I’ll make sure you make it into bed safe and sound, and then I’ll clean up here.” Jo wrapped Ginny in her arms and lifted her to her feet.

  “You are quite strong.” She placed her hand over Jo’s and held it as she steadied herself.

  “And a tad inebriated myself,” Jo admitted. “But not enough to where I can’t get you into bed.”

  Ginny’s shoe caught on the threshold, making her trip. “Oh?” Her smile widened as the floor beneath her seemed to move of its own free will. “You’re not looking to take advantage of me too, are you?” She licked the essence of wine from her lips.

  “The thought had crossed my mind.” She sat Ginny on the bed. “But no, I promise to behave myself.” She lifted Ginny’s legs so that she would slowly fall back onto her pillow. “How’s that? Are you comfy?”

  Ginny reached for Jo’s arm and gave it a firm squeeze before pulling her down, closer to her mouth. She stared at her lips as she tried to rise to meet them.

  Jo gently rested her hand on Ginny’s chest to push her back onto the pillow. Her eyes were intense and her smile caring. “I better go clean up.”

  Ginny frowned. She’d overstepped her boundaries. How had she misread what she thought was a bout of mutual teasing? The soft blankets on her bed would have to suffice for the rock she wanted to crawl under.

  “I’ll bring you some water shortly.” Jo stood and pulled the covers on top of Ginny. “Be right back.”

  Ginny closed her eyes to pretend she was on the verge of sleep. Anything to spare her the embarrassment of rejection would be ideal. She wanted to roll over on her side and cover her face, but she feared the sudden movement would make the room spin even quicker.

  Jo sat on the edge of the bed, and the mattress dipped beneath her weight. “I have some water right here. Let me help you sit up so you can nip some.”

  Ginny rolled over more groggily than she truly felt. She gulped some water before lying back onto her pillow.

  “Skootch over. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Ginny’s eyes widened. Maybe she hadn’t misread their friendly banter after all. She folded her hands over her stomach and waited for Jo’s next move.

  Jo wriggled beside her, sticking her butt up against Ginny’s side as she pulled the covers over both of them. “Let me know if you need me to get you anything,” she whispered. “I’ll be right here if you need help to the bathroom or more water. We both could use a little sobering up.”

  A hint of moonlight passed through the stained glass in the windows above, casting a psychedelic swirl on the ceiling. Only day number two and her contractor—a very attractive contractor—lay in her bed with her. This was something story-worthy, exciting, and frightening. She smiled herself to sleep.

  As daylight crept in through the windows, Ginny opened her eyes. Jo was still lying next to her, her back up against Ginny’s side, and her hair fanned out across the pillow. She held still so as not to disturb her rest but equally yearned to snuggle her.

  This happened oh so fast. She would never again tell a writer their characters moved too quickly into lust. Her sudden affection for Jo—as well as how quickly she acted on it—must have broken some sort of speed record. She inhaled a lock of Jo’s hair that had been lodged under her cheek. The faint smell of shampoo, wine, and sawdust made her smile. It would be too easy to drop her pending edits and get sucked up into the unfamiliar world of this stunning woman, for Jo’s world was certainly one she wanted to explore. More so, Jo was a woman she desperately wanted to pursue. She hoped Jo would feel the same way.

  The sound of a drill whirring in the kitchen caused her to jump. She never heard the guys come in.

  “What time is it?” Jo asked groggily.

  “I’m assuming early.” She looked at her watch. “It
’s noon.” She shot up and leaned on her elbow. “Holy crap! It’s noon!”

  Jo turned over to face Ginny. “I don’t think I have slept this well in ages.” She lightly brushed the tip of Ginny’s nose with her fingertip. It was an innocent and sweet gesture, yet once again, it made an achy heat rise through Ginny’s body.

  Jo turned onto her back. “My next task is to begin assembling the wood pieces I cut yesterday, into shelves.” She stared at the blank wall for a moment before turning her head back toward Ginny. Her eyes darkened once again. “I hope it’s okay that I went ahead and just stayed in your bed with you.” She climbed out from under the covers and stretched. At some point during the night her pants had ended up on the floor, and now she bent to pull them on.

  Ginny shot out of bed. She was already too far behind with her edits. “I can’t believe it’s noon. I’ve got to get my work done.”

  Jo buttoned her jeans before tucking in her shirt. “I’ll tell you what, it’s a beautiful day. How about you get started on those edits, and I’ll fix you something to eat before I start assembling your shelves. I’ll also keep track of those men in there. I’ll see to it they’re doing what you paid them for while you play catch-up.”

  Ginny grabbed the manuscript and red pen. “That would be fantastic.” As she spoke, the offensive taste that had been building up in her mouth from the night before made her stop in her tracks. She grimaced. “I better go brush my teeth first.” She tossed the pen and manuscript onto the bed and ran to the bathroom.

  The few and far between moments Ginny took her attention away from her edits, she glanced at Jo passing by with an armful of stained wood.

  “Need any help?” Ginny asked.

  “I much prefer to surprise you,” Jo answered from inside. “Everything should be installed today, and I can complete any touch-ups tomorrow.”