This was definitely not going to be a quick turnaround. “I suck at being patient.”
“Actually, you’re usually very good at it.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “This job feels different all around.”
“Is that because of a certain gruff client?”
I sighed. “Maybe a little.”
“There’s a whole lot of tension there between you two.” She waggled her eyebrows. “The naked kind.” She took a sip of her water.
“Been there.”
She spluttered and wiped at her mouth with the back of her hand. “Excuse me?”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“Didn’t...girl. That’s not like oops I bought a purse that’s out of my budget.”
“Yeah, well. It was a mistake.” I rolled my shoulder at the memory of him pressing down on me. I clenched my thighs together against the instant reaction.
She glanced over to where the men were talking. “It’s always the hot ones who suck in the sack. Dangerous looking and yum with the scars.” She returned her attention to me. “Or, not?”
“I wouldn’t know. Well, I know a little.” I huffed out a breath. “Not the point.”
“Oh, it’s very much the point, and I need all the details.”
I laughed. “I’m too sober for those kinds of details.”
Her eyebrow spiked and her wide mouth spread into a sly smile. “So, not bad in the sack?”
“Don’t you have to be somewhere? Another job? The Jeffersons, maybe?” I resisted the urge to put the dripping bottle against my forehead or between my boobs for that matter. Anything to bring my core temperature down a tick.
She glanced at her watch. “Not for another half hour.”
“Not exactly the place for this.”
TJ sighed. “You’re the worst. Fine. I’ll go get some lunch before I head back to the Jeffersons. I should only need a few more days at that house. It’ll be ready for your touches since Shelby is currently out of commission.”
I sighed. Shelby had cancelled our Friday morning meeting since she couldn’t keep anything down. Not exactly how she’d wanted to share her pregnancy news, but we were all happy for her.
“I still need to figure out what to do with Gizmo. I’ve been avoiding Deb since I’m well past my week.”
Actually, more like almost two. I was so screwed.
“Sorry, Dahl.”
“Yeah. I’ll figure it out.”
“If anyone can, it’s you.” She hopped up into her truck. “What are you up to for the rest of the day?”
“I’ll cover the studio.”
“Okay, cool. I don’t think we have any other appointments so you can close it up at four. Yay Friday!”
“Yay.” But my voice was way less excited.
She rolled her window down. “Beer at Lonegan’s tonight? I need those details.”
“Deal.”
“Chin up, Dahl. It’ll work out.”
“I hope so.”
“See you in a few hours.” TJ waved as she backed down the drive.
I headed back up to the mansion and caught Gideon as he was coming out. “This is going to take a helluva lot longer than I had earmarked for today.”
Another bit of great news. “Okay, do you want me to reschedule?”
“I’m going to juggle some things since Rob said he can stay today. He’s definitely trying to prove himself.”
Bob, our usual inspector, was his father. “Is that a good thing?”
“He’s definitely got the knowledge. I think we’ll do okay. I just gotta call Mace and let her know I’ll be held up. You don’t need to stick around. I’ll have a full report for you by the end of the day.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Gideon.”
