“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.”—Erich Fromm
“It’s too big. No way will it fit.”
His voice was full of impatience. “Of course it’ll fit. Just use some more lube and relax. Why do you have to make things so difficult?”
“Me? You’re the one who wanted the screw! I told you this whole thing wouldn’t work.”
He grunted. “Open up, dammit. You’re not helping me at all here!”
“I swear, if you hurt me, I’ll pepper spray you again!”
His hands clenched. Sweat dotted his brow. “I won’t hurt you. Just relax. I’m going in, okay?”
“Fine, just do it!”
He pushed through the resistance and finally the cabinet slid in with a pop. Shaking out her fingers, she examined the frame for damage, noticing the wood hadn’t cracked and everything fit perfectly. She’d argued against using the extra screws but Brady insisted it would be more stable. Guess he’d been right, even though she’d hate to admit it.
He puffed up his chest in macho pride. “See? Told you we just needed more lube.”
An amused, masculine voice cut through the tension-filled air.
“Damn, that was hot. Am I interrupting something?”
Charlie jumped and swung around. Gage stood in the doorway, a huge grin plastered on his face. As usual, he wore nerdy white sneakers, old jeans, and a ripped Metallica concert T-shirt. His hair was mussed under his red baseball hat, and his jaw unshaven. He looked like he’d gone on a bender for a few nights, but Charlie knew it was part of his usual messy demeanor.
“Gage!” With a delighted laugh, she threw herself across the room for a quick hug. “What are you doing here?”
“Wanted to see how you were managing your difficult new lover.”
Brady cleared his throat. “Umm, we’re not lovers. Just work partners.” His voice held a clip of annoyance, as if he hated the idea of them being linked. Charlie ignored the flash of hurt that caught her on the chin like a sucker punch. Damn, he still didn’t think much of her, even after all this time. Had it been childish to hope these past months had bonded them? Maybe it was all in her head. Maybe he still looked at her as a chore and thought her ideas were juvenile. Her heart squeezed, but she fought past it, pissed that she still cared.
“He’s talking about the house,” she retorted.
“She looks at houses as men,” Gage explained. “Kind of a weird love-affair thing to me, but damn, girl, you done good. He’s looking great.”
She beamed up at him. “Thanks! I told you I’d make you proud.”
“You always do.” He tugged on her hair with affection, then walked across the room, holding out his hand. “Gage Masterson. I sold Charlie the house.”
Brady nodded, reaching out to shake his hand. “Brady Heart. I’m with Pierce Brothers. Helping her with the renovation.”
“Nice. Finally took my advice and asked for some help, huh?”
She snorted at the same time Brady did. “Hardly,” she muttered. “Let’s say they insisted on providing me with a helper, whether or not I wanted one.”
Gage frowned. “Why are you so damn stubborn? There’s nothing wrong with needing help. Especially with a bastard like this.”
“What did you say?” Brady asked.
Gage grinned and pointed to the ceiling. “Sorry. I meant the house. Charlie has me thinking about them in male terms and it’s damn annoying. Wanna show me the rest of your place?”
“Yes, come with me and I’ll give you the full tour.” Without another glance, she ignored Brady and grabbed Gage’s hand, tugging him out of the kitchen. “Let’s start in the basement.”
Son of a bitch.
Who the hell was this guy?
Brady fumed at her careless dismissal and began cleaning up. She’d told him before she wasn’t dating anyone. He’d figured all her time was spent on the house or at Pierce Brothers, so it’d be hard to find someone new for a while. But if he’d sold her this house, maybe they’d been dating all along? The guy seemed nice enough, but a bit scruffy around the edges. Is that what she preferred?
The fact throbbed under his skin like a splinter. He’d never seen him around before, though, and she didn’t mention him. Maybe it was a strictly casual relationship? Or a once in a while hookup? And why the hell did he care?
He shook his head, reaching for patience. Probably because he’d been unable to close the deal with Marissa. She’d gone away to visit her family for two weeks, so their next date had been postponed. He needed to stop worrying about who Charlie dated and concentrate on finishing up this damn house and moving on.
Trying to keep his focus, he cleaned up, his gaze taking in what Gage had seen for the first time. Like a child who had grown up before his eyes, he realized he hadn’t noticed how well it was shaping up.
The new windows and floors gave off more space and light, and with the wall gone, the house had a flow it had been missing before. The disastrous kitchen was slowly taking shape. Charlie had stuck to her plan, rebuilding the cabinets in different forms for the upper and lower. They weren’t painted, and the counters weren’t installed, and the window frame they’d just shoved in to build a half pantry was unfinished, but he was able to spot the full vision. He couldn’t believe it, but it was possible she’d pull it off. Of course, he couldn’t imagine what type of mural anyone would want in their kitchen, but maybe he could talk her out of that. They still had the roof to replace, and the porch, but the main renovation was behind them. She’d even managed to find matching shingles and only had to replace a quarter of the outside.
Gage’s voice floated up the stairs, blending with Charlie’s musical laugh. Wind chimes. Why did her voice remind him of the happy quality of bells tinkling in the breeze?
“You’re on,” she said, entering the kitchen. “It’s been way too long and it’s already late.”
“Done. We’ll grab a bite there.” Gage turned and shot him a look. “Hey, Brady. Wanna join us?”
“Where?”
“Heading to the restaurant and dance club Tangos. They have salsa dancing Thursday nights.”
Charlie waved her hand in the air. “Brady doesn’t dance.”
“I’d love to come.”
It was worth it to see her mouth open. Was she angry he was interrupting her alone time with Gage? Or did she even care? He probed her gaze but was only able to spot pure surprise. Satisfaction ran through him. Good. About time he threw her off balance.
“Great,” Gage said. “Do you know where the place is? I’ll meet you there in an hour or so? Just gonna head home and change.”
“Sounds good,” he said. “I’ll be there.”
With a frown, Charlie walked him to the door, then came back. Her teeth nibbled on her lower lip. “Umm, Brady? You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Tangos may be a bit out of your league. The restaurant is small and it only serves tapas. The music is really loud and most people who go are there to dance. I don’t think you’ll feel comfortable.”
Anticipation thickened his blood. He grinned real slow. “Don’t worry about me, Charlotte. I can handle it. But I appreciate the heads-up. Now, let’s get packed up and call it a day so I can go change.”
Still nibbling on her lip, she nodded, but her greenish-brown eyes were filled with doubt.
Oh, he was really looking forward to this.