“Say, ‘Sorry Rory.’”
I laughed. “Sorry Rory.”
He studied the screen of his phone. “Perfect. I’ll airdrop them to you when we get home.”
“Want me to take your picture?”
He chuckled. “I’m good. I have at least a million already.”
I tilted my head and wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, but not with me.”
Something quite like a genuine smile bent his lips. “True.” He stood next to me, one arm around my waist, pulling me close while he stretched out his other arm with the phone and took a selfie with me.
That was the one I wanted him to send me. It wasn’t just the mountains; it was him, the motorcycle, the feeling (although foolish) that I was a woman enjoying the perfect Sunday afternoon with a man. The naked fisherman.
On our way back home, we stopped in Idaho Springs, an old mining town, for pizza at Beau Jo’s. Not just any pizza. Nope. Thick wheat crust with loads of toppings. And we dipped our crust ends in honey. It blew my mind.
He blew my mind.
Fisher told me about his family. Two older sisters and a younger brother. His love for building things that started at an early age. And his all-star jock status in high school. All State everything. His coaches thought he would go on to college to do something—basketball, baseball, track. But he didn’t love any of it as much as he loved his tool belt and the smell of fresh-cut lumber.
“Are you awake?” he asked, killing the engine inside his garage.
“Sort of,” I mumbled as I almost fell on my butt getting off the back of his bike.
He grabbed my arm to steady me. “I got Rory’s daughter back in one piece. Phew.” He removed my helmet and unzipped my jacket.
“But she’ll never know because we aren’t telling her.”
“She won’t hear anything from me.” He winked, removing his jacket.
“Thanks. I realize you probably weren’t planning on a tagalong today.”
“You can tag along anytime.”
“Well …” I nodded toward the garage door. “I’d better get to bed. My boss isn’t a morning person or a Monday person, so I have to bring enough awesomeness for the both of us.”
He smirked. “I’m sure your boss’s reputation is unfair and exaggerated.”
I shrugged. “Maybe. But just in case … I’m off to bed. Goodnight.” I headed toward the open garage door.
“Reese, you can go through the house. It’s dark. No need to walk around the side of the house.”
“You sure?”
Fisher held open the door to his house for me. “I’m sure. Just don’t steal anything on your way through my kitchen.”
With an eye roll, I stepped into his house and removed my shoes, carrying them through his kitchen. “Are you going to lock your basement door behind me?”
“Why? Are you going to rob me?”
“No.” I giggled, opening the basement door.
“Are you going to sneak up in the middle of the night and do weird shit to me while I sleep?”
“What?” I coughed. “Um … no. I just think if I rented out my basement, I’d lock my door.”
“Noted. You have no self-control, and therefore I need to lock my door.”
“I’m locking my side.”
“I don’t doubt that.” He shoved his hands into his back pockets and rested his shoulder against the threshold into the kitchen from the garage entrance.
Fisher and his overabundance of sexiness continued to give me all the feels. “Am I driving to the office in the morning or going with you?”
“The Outback’s battery is dead.”
I frowned. “That’s right.”
“We’ll leave at six.”
“Six.” I gave him an unavoidable smile before shutting the door … and locking it. As I tiptoed down the stairs, I listened for him to lock it on his side.
He never did.
Chapter Nine
Monday, I spent the day with Hailey sending out bids. Fisher put a new battery in the Outback then disappeared for the rest of the evening on his motorcycle. I didn’t get an invite to join him.
Tuesday, I went with Hailey to pick up flooring for a kitchen. She drove a company pickup, and for some reason, I found that kind of cool. After that, we picked up lunch for the crew. Apparently, it was a perk Fisher offered his guys, not the norm in construction. I found that rather cool too.
Wednesday, I was back with Fisher and that thrilled me.
“Yesterday, Hailey introduced me to some of your crew. So you don’t have to worry about introductions now. Except your dad and uncle. When will I meet them?”
“My dad is out of town until next week. My uncle just had knee surgery, so he’s out for a while.” Fisher lifted a brow and gave me a quick sidelong glance while we waited in the drive-thru to pick up our coffees on the way to the first job. “And it’s a relief that I don’t have to introduce you to anyone because that was high on my list of priorities today.”