I’m not averse to taking a few risks… or put off by a little dust.”
“A little?” he asked. “How many construction sites you lived on?”
Broadening her smile, she sashayed her way closer to the workbench. “If you’re nice to me, then maybe I’ll answer your personal questions.”
While Poppy was learning the virtues of flirting with a stranger, he didn’t seem as intrigued or as interested.
“No.”
A simple, straightforward answer.
Her smile dropped. “But I—”
“No,” he said, picking up the piece of wood. “You don’t see yourself out this time, I’ll toss you over my shoulder and dump you on the street myself.”
Without an ounce of hesitation, he took his wood and left her standing there alone. He’d disappeared into one of the rooms near the still open front door.
While standing outside on the street, Poppy had been sure that it was going to work out. Just walking into the building felt right; some part of her instinct believed she belonged there. At the time, she hadn’t given it much credence, but that certainty had to be why she felt so dejected.
Maybe this guy had the right idea. It was getting to be that way. If she wanted somewhere to live, she’d have to build it herself. Except it wasn’t like there was a lot of land just lying around in the inner city and she definitely couldn’t afford to buy a whole building.
Poppy was still standing there, staring at nothing, when he reappeared.
“Jesus,” he said, stalking toward her. “I guess you didn’t hear—”
“I’m going,” she said, holding up both hands and veering out of his way to make for the door. “It’s a wonder you get any tenants with that kind of sunny disposition.” The hotel might be upmarket, but it was no replacement for a home. “When Charlotte said grumpy, she really hit the nail on the head.”
“Wait,” he called just as she reached the door. Glancing over her shoulder, Poppy couldn’t wait to hear his parting words. He loosened on an exhale like he’d been holding his breath. “Damnit, Charley…” The muttering meant nothing to her, yet, the scowl he landed on her was becoming familiar. “Three hundred a month.” Poppy was stunned. “There are no utilities up here, no phone, no internet. There isn’t a kitchen and the only electrical outlets that work are in the hallway.”
Her insides began to jump up and down, but she tried to dampen her enthusiasm. “Two hundred.”
His brows rose. “Two fifty and you don’t bring anyone up here.” She smiled. “This is strictly off the books, Candy. You try to take me to court for anything and I’ll deny you ever set foot in the building.”
Ecstatic, it wasn’t easy to restrain the excitement that fought to bubble out of her.
Striding to him, Poppy extended a hand. “Deal.”
“You’ve gotta give me forty-eight hours to deal with the plumbing.”
“But I can stay here in the meantime?” she asked, her empty hand still hanging there between them.
His brow clamped down. “What if you have to pee?”
“I’ll hold it and go at work,” she said.
“And shower?”
“There are showers at work too,” she said. “Or there’s the gym. I go as often as I can, they have showers…” He didn’t seem swayed. “I’m only paid up where I am through tonight.”
Paying for another night was an option. Making a clean break would be better. Although Poppy didn’t know it for sure, it wouldn’t be unlike her grandmother to have spies keeping an eye on her. Hotel employees, even security guys wouldn’t have a chance of spying on her in her new building.
Until she had a place of her own, no matter the state of it, Poppy wouldn’t feel like she was really starting her new life.
“You’ll freeze up here.”
“I’m warm-blooded.” He didn’t seem convinced. “I’ll buy a blanket… please.”
For a second, there was a silent, tense stand-off. No matter his objection, Poppy would come up with an answer. Determination was important to him and to her too. Making it in the real world meant overcoming the obstacles, not surrendering to them.
“What time do you finish work tomorrow?” he asked.
Poppy was still getting used to living life working changing shifts. “Uh, I’m on second shift for the next four days and then off for three. So I finish at nine tomorrow night.”
“You got a lot of shit?” Swearing was something she was still getting used to hearing more in daily conversation too. She shook her head. “You can drop it off here in the morning before your shift. I