“So you admit you want him.”
“You saw him with his shirt off! Who wouldn’t?” I think back to yesterday evening when Grace and I stopped by to see if Jayson was here, and he was in the downstairs guestroom shirtless, trying to draw my attention to the wallpaper he picked out. Sweet merciful lord, it took willpower not to simply stare at the wall of his chest. I peer into my chip bag, wondering how I got through it so fast. Grace continues munching on a bag of her own.
“Personally, I’m kind of partial to his brother Cast. Those are some sexy men. Alright, let’s talk game plan. I think you can squeeze in a few more hours at Devil in the Details without taking away from your study time too much, but what you need to do first is put together a budget to get a clear picture of your month-to-month expenses. I can help you with that. It pays to have a degree in finance, and my father made sure I had budgeting mastered before letting me come all the way out here. Got a notebook?”
Suddenly the lone adventure feels like a shared journey, and I gaze appreciatively at my best friend. What would I do without her?
Grace and I puzzle over the particulars, which include me making a ton of phone calls to my service and utility providers to pin down approximations of my expenses. By the time we’re done, I stare at the numbers scribbled in the notebook with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Grace seems more confident about the future than I do. “It’s not as bad as it looks,” she assures me. “The cool thing about bills is that they don’t roll in all at once…well, the rent and mortgage might.”
“I have to succeed at this. If every other grown-up can do this, I know I can.”
“That’s the spirit. You know what will put you in a better mood? We should do a walk-through and you can tell me what you plan to do with each of the rooms. Even if you’re not keeping it, that doesn’t mean you don’t get to leave your mark.”
“Ooh, that is the big plus. I spent most of the morning doing exactly that. So, the bedroom downstairs has been my focal point. It’s the closest to finished.”
“Jayson said you’ll be in here before Christmas. I’m sure you won’t have found an apartment by then. That’s only a few weeks away. I’d love to do Christmas at your place since I’m not going home this year, even if we just do something small together. I’m sure you and your mom will have mended the bridge by then.”
“Let’s hope so. She annoys me, but I love her.”
“She loves you, too,” Grace says firmly. I’ve never met my friend’s parents but they must be good people. Grace is a little scared of my mom but she has a bedrock faith in parental love.
Grace and I move through the house, floating on a cloud of idealism, discussing ideas for the décor, and it feels more and more like home with every step. I can see the rooms taking shape in my mind’s eye. Like I said to Professor Schwartz, this will be the perfect opportunity to put my interior design skills to great use. As a sophomore on an accelerated track to graduate early, the hands-on experience is invaluable.
“I want something really bohemian for my room,” I mention.
“You and I should go shopping soon and furnish this place out. What say you? Thrift stores?”
“Ah, I wanted to get some pieces from Devil in the Details,” I pout.
“You’ve seen those prices. I don’t think you can afford it, Kit.”
I think back to the budget we set, and I get angry all over again. “Why does my mom have to be so difficult?”
“Don’t think like that, hon. Mommy can’t pay your way through life. Besides, any project you work on for a client will come with a budget. We can’t go crazy, but that doesn’t mean we can’t go stylish. Now, I have to get along to work in a few hours, but I still have some errands to run. Do you need anything? I don’t think I’ll make it back over here until after school Monday.”
“I’m fine, Grace. I’ll run out if I need anything. I guess I better get used to doing things on my own.”
I watch her leave, and I try to keep my spirits up as she drives away. Closing and locking the front door, I return to my musings from before her arrival. I wasn’t fudging when I told her Jayson had to stay out of the picture for me to focus on getting my life together, but that doesn’t mean I like it. I run a hand over the phone in my back pocket, wishing I could call him. Alone with my thoughts, one quickly springs to mind: I wonder what it would be like if I did have the time for love?
“For starters, let’s get this place cleaned up,” I murmur to myself, scurrying away from dangerous fantasies. Time to stop idling. I run through the bottom level of my house where the worst of the damage is, folding up my blankets and sweeping, dusting, cleaning the kitchen appliances. When the busy work is finished, I stare at the space on the kitchen counter where I figure I’ll put my microwave when I get one. “What’s stopping me from doing that now?”
I don't have a pot or pan to my name, and cooking has never been my forte. That’s Mom’s thing. I decide to grab my keys and take the bumblebee-yellow Fiat out for a spin to pick up some other things I need to make living in my new place comfortable. “I can do this,” I say. I continue to tell myself that as I walk through the department store, scanning the prices and comparing before settling on a low budget microwave and cheap pots and pans. I continue to affirm myself when I get back home and realize I forgot to get towels while I was out, but it's getting harder to believe.
I read since I don’t have a television set yet, and I study when it gets hard to follow the novel’s storyline. A whole day passes that I end up feeling like I wasted trying to fill the hours with things to do so I don’t get bored and lonely. “Gosh, how do people do this?” I go to sleep, feeling like things could’ve been worse. I could be over in Pacific Heights with Candace, not talking to anyone because my mom and I simply can’t get along. I sigh and squeeze my eyes shut. Tomorrow’s another day to conquer. Failure is not an option. “I can do this,” I whisper as I fall asleep…
His mouth collides with mine in a tender slant as he cups my chin and pulls me closer with the other hand. He sips at my lips and caresses me gently with fingertips that tickle and tease. I moan into his open mouth as he says, “I feel like we should build something that could last.” His voice echoes in the darkness. I look around and realize we’re falling, falling into a seeming void, and I’m not even afraid. Between my thighs, I’m damp as the breeze on a rainy day, not quite misty yet but definitely on the way. My nipples have hardened into pebbles.
“We can do this,” I moan in arousal.
He whispers in my ear, “Are you sure?”
The dream fades to darkness right in the middle of me trying to answer. I’m not sure at all what comes next.
Chapter 11
KITRINA
Jayson warned me I’d have to live with construction noise, but by the fourth morning of waking up early to a knock at the door from his crew, I have to fight my crankiness. I jerk awake from the most lascivious dream about the irresistible contractor, startled by the pounding downstairs. “Morning, Kit,” says Castiel brightly. I smile at Jayson’s younger brother and let him inside. The several other workers file inside with an equal cheerfulness that I desperately try to match. “You know the routine. We’ll set up down here and do what we can until you’re out for the day.”
“Thanks, Cast.” I run back upstairs to my bedroom, which I’ve started sleeping in over the past few days, and get ready for school. Downstairs, the men make an effort to keep the noise down, but it’s impossible. With six men clomping around in boots, tools being dragged around, there’s no way to be quiet about it. I instantly feel sorry for my poor neighbors. I stand in the bathroom mirror and pull my white blond hair up in a ponytail, studying my reflection. “That’ll do.”
My heels clicking down the stairs adds to the soft rumble of men talking over coffee, and I pass through the living room to see Devon and another guy bringing in dark brown paneling. Cast leans against the kitchen counter studying the schematics and murmuring orders. Whe
n he sees me, his serious face gets playful. “See you guys later,” I say with a smile.
“Hey, Jayson will be here later today,” he replies.
“That’s fine.” I don’t know what he expects me to do about it. Castiel has been making a point of informing me of Jayson’s whereabouts every day like his brother and I actually have something going on. I hadn’t expected Jayson to leap into a ready-made relationship with me after seducing me on the dance floor with that (unforgettable) stupid kiss, but I hadn’t expected him to ignore me completely either. It’s been days since we accidentally hung out together, and he hasn’t called or dropped by. Castiel can keep his updates. “I have to work today, so I’ll be in late. If you can secure the property before you all leave, that would be great, Cast. If Jayson needs me, he knows how to reach me.” There. Keeps the ball in Jayson’s court where it belongs.
“I’ll be sure to remind him of that, ma’am,” Castiel replies, still grinning. He’s a handsome guy. His mouth is wider than Jayson’s, making his smiles infectious, and his eyes are very different—dark, sparkly and narrow, as if he’s always laughing. His hair is longer too, and a curl in the flops over his forehead boyishly. No wonder Gracie’s taken with him. At least he calls her. I sigh as I walk out the door with a jangle of car keys.
“Good morning,” I reply to two women passing by on the street in front of my house, and they give me a blank stare, walking off speaking softly in a language I don’t recognize. I shrug. So far, I’ve been here for a week and haven’t met anyone welcoming. I hop into my car and maneuver through dense traffic to campus, glad to be leaving the early morning racket of power tools behind me for now.
After finishing my classes, I head straight to work. Grace meets me in the back employee lounge as usual. We sit at the rickety wooden table, chatting before our shifts start. “I saw your boyfriend again this morning,” I tease her.
“Castiel isn’t my boyfriend. We’re just friends. But did you see yours?” she teases me right back. I giggle, swatting at her with my store vest.
“Jayson’s probably over at the house as we speak, but I have to work. I don’t think he wants to see me anyway. I’m so over him, Grace. I think I was just the flavor of the night that time at the club.”
“You are so hard to please. The guy’s busy!” Grace protests, shaking her head.
“Well, I’m busy, too. I have a test this week. Think Hank will mind if I take study breaks when things slow down?”
“Mmm, I dunno. Maybe you better save that for your regular fifteen-minute breaks.”
“You’re probably right. There’s a block party or something this weekend that I got a flyer in my doorjamb for, but I picked up more hours here. I’m kind of scared of my neighbors anyway. No sense in getting close to them if I’ll only be there temporarily. They’re all so insular and unfriendly.”
“You’ve only been there a week. You just don’t know anybody there yet. Give them a chance. Give Jayson a chance.”
“Ooh, look at the time,” I say overdramatically. “Gotta get on the job.”
I smile as I exit the lounge, Grace on my heels. She heads to the register, and I head to the showroom floor. A few customers mosey around the store. I jauntily offer my help to the nearest one. “If you need any assistance making choices, I’m available.”
“Ah, yes,” says the gentleman. I size him up. He’s holding a throw pillow and eyeing a settee with clashing colors, and I realize he has no idea what he’s doing. “I’m redecorating my wife’s walk-in closet for our anniversary. This thing here—“
“It’s a settee, sir,” I reply, trying not to sound condescending.
“Right. I think it needs some pillows, and I really like this one.”
“No, no, you don’t want to do that. How about we find a nice throw to drape across the armrest. It will add a pop of color, which I think is what you’re going for, but it won’t throw off these great lines. This functional piece is beautiful enough on its own. Anything else would make it too fussy.”
“Well, I like…”
“Take my advice on this,” I say assuredly, removing the pillow from his hand. “Your wife will love it. Trust me.”
“If you say so,” he replies uncertainly.
I walk away feeling like I just saved his wife’s walk-in closet. “Mission accomplished,”’ I murmur to myself, clapping my hands together. With four hours ahead of me, I make the best use of my time, remaining highly visible so Hank sees how much hard work I’m putting in. I flit from customer to customer, complimenting the chic and denouncing the style mistakes. Although a few people look offended by my advice, they’ll thank me later.
I use my breaks to study for the upcoming exam, and by the end of my shift I feel like I spent the evening juggling knives while jumping through hoops. Grace gets off work at the same time as me, and we meet up at the clock to punch out.
“You just might make it home in time to see Jayson.”
I glance at my smartphone. “Not likely. It’s pushing seven-thirty. They should be long gone by now.”
“Too bad because I know you really wanted to see him, regardless of what you say. You’re a terrible liar and, you forget, I’m psychic. Drive safely, madwoman. You were racing around the store this evening like you had the devil himself on your heels.”
“They don’t call it Devil in the Details for nothing,” I joke. “I just love doing this, Grace. You’d be amazed at the terrible things people almost buy that I save them from. I mean, with all this to choose from, how could they go wrong?”
“Be careful not to be too pushy,” she replies. We head out the door together.
“I consider it a favor. Very few get the luxury of shopping with an interior designer. I’m offering my services for free. See you later. Are we still on to go shopping Friday after class?”
“Yes! I can’t wait.”
I skip to my Fiat and climb behind the wheel, trying not to rush, although I secretly hope I do make it home in time to catch Jayson before he leaves. I can’t help myself. No matter how I try to resist him, he crops back up in my thoughts, and there’s no escaping how he makes me feel…hopeful.
JAYSON
“Time is it?” I ask.
Castiel smirks at his phone. “Overtime.”
“Alright, tell the guys to wrap up. We’ve been here long enough. I wanted to get a head start on tomorrow’s work while Kit wasn’t here so maybe we can finish this project early ‘cause the orders are starting to pile up. Hey, Dev, tomorrow I need to put you on another job. Can you handle this without him, Cast?”
“Tell the truth, dude. You were lingering around, hoping we’d still be here when she got off work.”
“Can you handle this site without Devon?” I ignore him. Cast nods and starts pulling together his tool kit, speeding along the rest of the crew.
“Let’s do cleanup, fellas. Client will be home soon. We gotta close shop.”
I monitor the men as they load up and head to the company truck to leave. Cast and I talk business for a minute, and I get an appraisal of what’s left to be done. “So, if you’re trying to finish this job early, we’re likely to do it. I can spare Dev, but as much as you can keep him here, that’d be good. He’s more experienced.”
“Gotcha. Alright, where are the keys?”
“Did you call Kit?”
“Why would I call Kit?”
“She said if you need her, you know how to reach her.”
“Yeah, I don’t need her for anything. She’s already made all the necessary decisions. The downstairs paneling is in, and the first floor is finished. We can move to the second.”
“Why are you avoiding her, man?” Castiel pries.
“Cast, I’m not avoiding her. I’m just trying to do my job. She’s a client, and that’s unprofessional. I know what I told Momma, but that’s not feasible as long as we’re working for her. The company reputation is more important.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Castiel steps out of the house,
tossing me the keys. I take them to the lock to close up. Castiel calls out to me, “If you’re trying to beat a retreat, better make it hasty. Her car is coming up the street.”
“Shit,” I murmur. Sighing, I pocket the keys and tramp down to my personal truck. I wait by the door, knowing it would be too rude to hop in without at least saying hello. I see Castiel pull off with the rest of the crew, leaving me to fend for myself as Kitrina coasts to a halt in her customary parking spot. She climbs out of her Fiat, long legs first, followed by that slim, toned body and her pale, shining hair.. Her lush breasts hugged by a pale blue thermal shirt invite my gaze. I lick my lips, trying not to stare, and she saunters over to me as if she expected me to be here. I smile involuntarily. “Good evening, Ms. Schneider.”
“Mr. Zephyr,” she murmurs. Her grey eyes are flinty, the dark blue ring surrounding the iris looking larger than ever, almost touching her dilated pupils. She’s angry with me. I can tell. She puts her hands on her curvy hips and stares at me face to face, reminding me she’s no petite miss. I look her up and down appreciatively, unable to deny she’s a sexy woman.
“I was on my way out,” I reply lamely.
“Good. You can leave.”
My eyebrows quirk at her tone. “Okay, I will….What, we’re in our proper places now? You were a lot nicer the other night. I guess somebody might see you consorting with the help here, though.” I bite back the retort, but it’s too late. I’ve said it.
She scowls and crosses her arms, and I brace myself for a verbal beat down. “What, you’re ready to talk to me now? You haven’t made any attempt to do that all week. I guess I’m a lot less your type when I’m not in a club in a miniskirt,” she fires back.
Jayson: A New Adult / Coming of Age Romance Page 9
