Love on Lexington Avenue - Lauren Layne Page 0,35
know that you know.”
“I don’t,” Scott snapped. “I like it that way.”
“I get that and it’s fine,” Oliver said. “But as much as I hope Claire enjoys life as a single woman, I’d hate for her to get used to you being around.”
“Well, then I guess it’s a good thing I’m just her contractor for a few more weeks,” Scott said.
“Yeah,” Oliver said, watching him closely. “Good thing.”
Chapter Ten
MONDAY, AUGUST 12
Claire was adding her creamer to a fresh cup of coffee when there was an insistent pounding on her door, more of a thunk than an actual knock. Carrying her mug to the front of the house, she opened the door to a hyper Bob and Scott carrying an enormous box.
“Sorry.” He stepped into the foyer. “Hands were full.”
“What the heck is that?” She followed him down the hall toward the kitchen.
“AC unit.”
“I’ve already got an AC unit. I’ve got two AC units.”
“You want me to renovate your kitchen in the middle of August, we’re putting another one in here as well,” he said, setting it on the floor in the corner and then helping himself to a cup of coffee. She’d taken to making an extra-large pot since he’d been around.
“Don’t worry,” he snapped, even though she hadn’t said a word. “Cost is on me.”
She looked at the dog. “Bobsie, you’re supposed to warn me when your dad wakes up on the wrong side of the bed.”
“She’s my dog. And her name is Bob.”
“So, this is fun,” she said, waving a hand in his general direction. “Are you pissed at me specifically, or just life in general?”
He gave her an irritated look, lifting his backward cap off his head and running a hand through his hair before tugging the cap back on again. “I may have had one too many Bloody Marys yesterday. I usually stick to beer.”
“And pink wine,” she said, hoping for a smile, or at least a good-natured eye-roll. She didn’t get either. But since nobody was at their best after too much vodka, she decided to give him a break.
“You’re starting the kitchen today?” she asked.
He bobbed his head. “Yeah. I wanted to hold off, since it’ll be the biggest inconvenience to your routine. But it’s also the biggest undertaking, so I really can’t afford to wait any longer, or I won’t be able to finish it before my next project.”
“Oh, you’ve booked something else?”
“No. But I will, and it won’t be local, so I won’t be around to tinker with any of your last-minute whims on this house.”
Okay. Enough was enough.
Claire picked her phone off the counter. “I’m ordering you a bagel sandwich and a Gatorade. Carbs and electrolytes can only help that rotten mood of yours.”
“No, I’m fine,” he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry. It’s just . . .” His hand dropped. “You know most of my jobs are abroad, right? That I have a place here, but I’m not local.”
“Sure. Why?”
“Nothing. Oliver just . . . nothing.”
Huh. There was something there, but she sensed pushing would get her nowhere. Instead, she held up her phone, danced it at him. “You’re sure on the bagel?”
“Sure. Just keep the coffeepot full, and I’ll be good.”
Claire nodded agreeably. “So, are you going to bite my head off if I ask how long I’ll be without a kitchen?”
“Couple of weeks.”
She couldn’t help the sigh. “I’m not much of a cook, but I’m also not looking forward to eating nothing but takeout for the next month.”
“Don’t worry. You get used to it.”
“You don’t cook?”
“Toast. Cereal. Frozen dinners.”
“So, that’s a no.” Claire went to refill her coffee, but he beat her to it, topping off her cup and his own.
“Okay, what do you need from me to get started?” she asked. “Clearing out the cabinets?”
“No, I can do that. You’re on your own with cleaning out the fridge though. I don’t want to be responsible for throwing away some million-dollar truffles or something.”
“Yeah, because that’s what I keep in there. Million-dollar truffles right next to my caviar. What about essentials? I can’t be totally without a fridge for two weeks. I have to eat.”
“You mean you need a place to store the sugar-cream goop you put in your coffee.”
She batted her eyelashes. “You know me.”
He rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. “I’ve got a couple of guys coming over to take out the wall today. I’ll have one of them pick up a mini fridge; you can keep it in another room.”
“Dean?”