Since she’d made a point to steer clear of him the last several days, he’d shifted his attention to getting the fence done as soon as possible, on the off chance Hadley would emerge from her house to check on the progress.
She hadn’t.Even though they’d finished up the job late last night.
When he’d gotten the rundown for the day, his office manager had informed him she’d received payment in full for a job—one she wasn’t aware he was even doing.“There was no rush on payment, you know.”
“I do believe you’d be the first contractor ever to complain about getting his money.”
Her words brought out a chuckle and he smiled at her.“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.I just meant you could’ve…made payments if you needed to.”
“It’s fine but thank you.For offering.That’s sweet.”
Sweet.Okay then.
Awkward seconds ticked by as they continued through the store.She paused again, looking at a selection of furniture paints.“Find what you were looking for?”
“Hmm.Yeah.I saw these online.”She chose one and then scanned the rest and chose three others.
“More projects?”he asked.
“I hope so,” she said.“Do you know anything about paint guns?”
“Do you mean sprayers?”
“Yes, sprayers.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and looked his fill of her, clutching the small containers to her chest like she’d scored gold.“I do.”
“I don’t suppose you could recommend a good one?”She turned and lowered her selection to a table so that she could pull out her phone.“One like this?”
He looked at the screen and then fought off his own embarrassment when he had to put on his prescription sunglasses to get a better look.“Yeah, they have those at the building supply.I’m heading there to pick up an order.How about we grab lunch together and then you go with me?They have a few different ones you’ll need to look at.”
“Oh, that seems like a lot of hassle.You wouldn’t mind?”
“No—so long as you let me buy you lunch first.I’m a hungry man.”
She looked hesitant about the lunch, and he knew why, understood, but he didn’t give her an out.
“I’d love to—if we go dutch,” she said.
He nodded, letting her have the compromise since it meant they’d spend time together.“Deal.”
Hadley gave him a small smile and gathered up her paints once more.
“Let me pay for these and we’ll go feed you.”
She rushed toward the checkout, and Bryson carried her phone with him since she’d taken off without it.
Curiosity got the best of him and he touched the now dark screen.A picture of Hadley and her kids appeared.All were smiling, but even he could see the strain on their faces, and he figured the picture had been taken sometime during the divorce.Her daughter looked like her, whereas her son had darker hair and more masculine features most likely from his dad.
The women chatted quietly and he heard Hadley ask about the furniture on display.
“That’s the last of it if you’re interested.The person I got it from retired and moved closer to her family.”
“I see.I was more interested in watching them work,” he heard Hadley say.
“I’ve watched videos online but it’s never the same as learning something in person.”
“I can help you,” Bryson said, earning glances from both women.