Potentially, my job had just gotten a little harder without Shelby in the mix.
SIXTEEN
My attention was split between the contract I was halfheartedly skimming and watching for Dahlia’s return.
Finally, the two women came out of the room and the lighter-haired one—Shelby, I was pretty sure—split off to go to what I assumed was her office. Hellcat shook back her dark hair and damn that dress. She’d already tried to kill me on the sidewalk. Knowing what those legs felt like wrapped around me, then to see them again?
How the hell was I going to get through this project?
But seeing the even more involved drawings told me all I really needed to know. I’d made a halfhearted attempt to find someone else to run the renovation, but she was right. The other guy that I’d looked into was a blowhard. He’d marked up the materials and based on the few TJ had mentioned, Designing Women used superior products without the gouging.
In fact, I had a feeling they were undercutting themselves a fair amount. But after hearing what Donner had said about the other design firms—most especially Dahlia’s—I knew they faced a fair bit of men’s club bullshit.
Dahlia stopped beside TJ’s chair and murmured something to her in a low voice. She gave me a tight smile. “Sorry about that. Where are we?”
“TJ has given me a few things to think over. If you’d like to set up a time for your code enforcement guy—or gal—to come look at the house, we can get down to a schedule.”
“Just like that?”
I nodded. “From what I can tell, you’ve done your due diligence. I don’t care about a pissing contest with firms in the area, I just want to get the house done. And if my sister’s husband works with you as often as you’ve said, I trust that more than shopping around.”
Her already huge espresso eyes widened. “Right. I’ll go talk to Gideon and see what kind of summer schedule he’s got going on. If that suits you.”
“It does.”
“Will it...” She seemed to be weighing her words. “Will there be a problem with working with Gideon?”
“Guess we’re going to find out.”
TJ glanced at Dahlia and some silent conversation went on between them before TJ cleared her throat. “I’ll let you guys figure this part out. I’ll get a digital and physical copy of this contract ready for you.” She stood up and held her hand out to me again. “I’m not going to lie. I’m excited to get out there and see the inside of the place. I’ve only managed to sneak in during one of the open houses.”
I shook her hand. “Just let me know when you want to take a look around. I’ll make it happen.”
“I’ll get together with Dahlia.” TJ tapped the papers together. “I’ll just be a few minutes with this.”
Dahlia tucked her hands into the pockets of her dress. The deep vee flashed the smallest bit of a navy bra that had me distracted for a moment before I lifted my gaze to hers. Hopefully, she didn’t notice since I was still wearing my sunglasses against the blasting sun. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and I sure as shit didn’t need a light-induced optical today.
I didn’t need to know what that scrap of lacy navy was.
It was none of my damn business.
“Because I know Macy and Gideon so well, do you want me to talk to them separately before we finalize the contract? We have other contractors we can use, but Gideon’s team is our preferred.”
Uncomfortable with my family crap being in the middle of this, I wasn’t sure which was the easier way to go. Regardless of the familial knots, Gideon was a professional. However, Crescent Cove was a small town, and I really didn’t know all the dynamics.
“Look, I don’t know what’s up between you and Macy. It’s none of my business, but we are good friends. It’s going to come up if there’s a problem. It’s better to know before we start this remodel.”
“Macy and I spoke the other day.” I folded my arms across my chest.
“When?”
“After I left your place.”
TJ came out of a room and crossed to us.
I shut my mouth.
Dahlia gave TJ a bright smile. “What’s your schedule look like? Shelby is going to be a bit out of pocket for a while on this one.”
“I’ll talk to Bob and see if we can get him to meet me over there early next week.”
Dahlia turned to me. “Sound good?”
I resisted the urge to push for a faster date. Tomorrow was Friday, but I was pretty sure this kind of work included weekends. But again, I wasn’t sure how small towns worked. Maybe they were done at two in the damn afternoon on Fridays and MIA until Monday.
How the hell was I supposed to know? I hadn’t had a normal schedule—ever.
“You have my information.”
TJ handed me a copy of the contract. “Thanks so much for coming in.”
I glanced at Dahlia and nodded. “Miss McKenna.”
Her lips thinned.
I shouldn’t enjoy getting under her skin. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d actually felt anything other than numbness. Until this house.
