Chapter 40
Charlie
There’s a hesitant knock at the door. I groan on the inside. It’s been a long day on the Silverberry worksite and I don’t want to deal with anybody right now. I just want some time to myself, to stare out the window. Apparently, that’s too much to ask.
I look toward the door and the temp smiles at me. “Hi Charlie, can I come in?”
With a weak nod, I spin my chair around and give her my attention. Licking her lips, she saunters into the room, her anxious gaze on my face. “What is it?” I ask gruffly.
I don’t mean to be brusque but pleasantries are more than I can manage. Just getting out of bed, pulling on my boots and driving down to the worksite takes up all my energy most days. I’m completely depleted, running on empty.
I’d almost forgotten that loving a woman and losing her could feel so draining. And Nova isn’t just any woman. She’s my best friend, too. I don’t know how I’ll ever find anything to fill the size of the hole she’s left in my life.
Jackie—the temp—steps up to my desk with a pile of envelops in her hand. “Mail man just came by,” she says, her blue eyes twinkling amorously as she leans a round hip against my desk.
The girl has a crush on me. Normally I’d be flattered but these days, it’s an annoyance. She walks around in her suggestive outfits with her pheromones spluttering all over the place and all I want to do is throw an aluminum blanket on her. Or douse her with a fire extinguisher.
Still, I try to be polite. It’s a harmless crush and as long as she doesn’t act on it, there’s no need to hurt her feelings.
She bends forward to place the first envelope in front of me. “Electricity bill,” she tells me before slapping down another envelope, “Internet.” And another, “Letter from your trade association regarding their annual conference.” And finally, “Personal letter from an Archibald Jones.”
Shit. I still haven’t replied to his other letters.
“Thank you, Jackie,” I say as I gather the papers in my hand and toss them to the edge of the desk.
She sighs heavily and I feel her eyes on me. When I look up, she bites the corner of her lip and hesitates before leaning a little closer. “Look, I know that you don’t know me and I’m only here while Sharon is on maternity leave but my job is to make your life easier…and I see how tense you are…” She flips her blonde hair over her shoulder. “I want you to know that I take my role very seriously. So, if you ever need my help…with anything…” She bites the corner of her lip and her eyelids grow heavy.
Is this woman propositioning me?
This is the kind of thing that would have made my dick hard two months ago. Before I got a taste of Nova, I would have been pulling Jackie into my lap and roughing my hand up her thighs and making her come on my fingers.
But I’m not that guy anymore. There’s only one woman for me. I’m sure of that now and no one else will do.
Thoroughly pissed off, I stand from my chair and motion to the door with my hand. “Get out!”
Jackie’s eyes widen as she looks up at me, stunned. “I—I’m sorry…I.”
“Get. The. Fuck. Out.” I order her. “And pack your things. Call your temp agency and tell them to send me someone else.”
She’s crying as she runs out of the room, covering her face with her hands. I don’t care. My thoughts are focused on one thing, one person. Nova is the only one I want.
Enough of this. I’m done torturing myself.
I snatch the stack of mail again and sift through it until I find what I’m looking for, the letter from my general contractor’s association. Tearing it open, I read and memorize the information printed on the page. Overcome by a sense of urgency, I grab my fleece overshirt, my phone and my keys before marching out of my office.
Jackie is still crying, gathering up her things as I storm by. I throw her a look. I feel no pity. “Make sure to lock up and put the key in the mailbox outside. And I don’t want to see you here on Monday.”
The heavy metal door creaks shut behind me.