I hear the key in the lock downstairs and suddenly perk up. Maybe her classes let out early and she’s here to get in a few hours of work. I sit waiting at my desk with bated breath until Jake comes sauntering in like he owns the place. My entire being deflates a little and I try to shake myself out of it. I’ve got to stop this shit or her working for me will never work out.
“What can I do for you Jake?”
He takes his usual seat in the chair in front of my desk and leans back, legs outstretched in front of him, arms resting behind his head. If I didn’t like the kid so much I’d chastise him for treating this place like some lounge instead of a place of work.
He looks around the room before completely ignoring my question. “So, where’s the new girl?” Ahhh, so that’s why he’s here.
I straighten up in my chair and practically growl at him, “I told you she is off-limits.”
He looks at me with surprise on his face. “Well, that’s what you said, but I didn’t think you were serious.”
“Deadly serious.” I hold his gaze while he seems to search mine. After a moment he breaks out into an enormous grin.
“So, it’s like that, huh?” he says with a chuckle.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, just stay away from Violet.”
“Violet.” He says the name like he’s rolling it over his tongue testing out the feel of it in his mouth, and I almost come out of my chair. Instead, I take a few deep breaths and count to ten. I know he’s just trying to push my buttons at this point. Unfortunately, he’s succeeding.
“Was there something that you needed?” I glance down at my watch. “You guys should be wrapping up for the day, I’m surprised you’re not headed home.”
“I am, I just wanted to stop by and talk to you about something real quick. Jose’s wife went into labor early so he’s going to be out for a few days. I can get one of my on-call guys to come out on Friday but tomorrow is going to be a problem. Without him we’ll be a man down and I don’t want to get behind.”
“Everything okay with his wife?” I ask. Even though I haven’t spent much time with Jose since he was hired after I’d been mostly relegated to office work, I make it a point to keep up with my guys.
“I think so, she’s only a few weeks early. He’s going to let me know when the baby is born. He was worried before he left for the hospital about leaving us a man short but I told him we’d take care of it.”
That’s another reason I like having Jake as one of my second in commands. Not only do I trust him implicitly, but for the most part, he handles situations the way I would handle them myself. I believe in family first. If his wife needs him, then Jose needs to be there for her. It’s our job to make sure that things keep running smoothly, not his.
“Thanks, Jake. Let me see if I have anyone available for tomorrow.” I start going through my list of backup guys until the empty desk and chair catches the corner of my eye. Maybe it’s best if I’m not here when she’s working tomorrow. I feel like I’m getting way too attached too quickly. Yesterday was a great day but I don’t want to trick myself into thinking she has any kind of feelings for me. Hell, she has a date with another man in just a few days. Maybe it’s best if I give myself some space.
“You know what, I’ll take his place tomorrow. You said you have someone for Friday, right?” He nods at me. “Great.” This is half the reason that I hired someone to work in the office anyway, to give me time to get back out there on the job sites.
“I don’t know, old man. Are you sure you’re up for a full day of physical labor? You haven’t gone too soft sitting here in your cushy office?”
“Shut up, Jake. I can still work circles around you.”
He lets out a laugh before rising out of his chair. “I’m looking forward to it, boss-man.”
???
Early mornings are kind of a requirement in my line of work but the next morning I get myself out of bed especially early. After a quick shower and pulling on my work clothes, which consists of a well-worn pair of jeans and a Henley, I make myself a quick cup of coffee and I’m out the door before Violet has time to arrive.
I spend the day sweating and cursing as I try to get the tiled backsplash for the kitchen counters just right. I may have been exaggerating just a little when I told Jake I would work circles around him. He’s spent the past hour hauling bags of cement into the backyard for the new patio we’ll be laying. Just watching him makes the muscles in my back twitch. Oh, to be that young again. A tiny voice in the back of my head whispers,if you were that young maybe Violet would be interested in you.I push the foolish thought out of my mind and try to concentrate on what I’m doing.
By the time the day is over I’m covered in dust, dirt, sweat, and can’t wait to get home and veg out in front of the television or with the new mystery novel that’s been sitting on my nightstand.
When I pull into my driveway, I don’t see Violet’s car at the curb in front, so I can only assume she’s left for the day. Upon entering the house, my suspicions are confirmed. The place feels cold and empty.
Before heading to take a shower, I stop in the office and look around. The place looks better than it has in years, if it’s ever looked this good. As soon as I step in, I’m hit in the face by the scent of her floral shampoo and I take just a moment of indulgence to inhale the aroma, wishing my nose was buried in her hair.
There are no signs of the piles of paperwork that once littered every open surface, and it looks like she may have dusted the shelves and vacuumed. I’ll have to talk to her about that, it’s not something that I expect of her, though, it is nice.
I move over to her desk and see a variety of colored Post-it notes laid out neatly on the surface. Some have notes regarding the filing system and others look like reminders for things she wants to tackle tomorrow. I’m a little blown away by what she’s managed to accomplish in such a short time. I head over to my own desk and see she’s left some papers for me along with a note. Her handwriting is neat and feminine with round, looping letters.
It appears while filing she took a look at my phone and Internet billing and decided that I was paying too much. She called the carrier and switched us to a business package that’s going to give us faster Internet while lowering the price. It’s something I never even would’ve thought of and here she is, already making changes to make the company more productive and cost efficient. For a moment I regret not being here to see her at work but let the thought go. It was for the best, the team needed me and there’s no reason for me to spend any more time with Violet than I need to.
Just as I’m stepping out of the shower, I hear the front door slam downstairs. This place has been like Grand Central Station lately. I check the clock on my nightstand and see that it’s 6:30 p.m. so I know it isn’t Jake or Violet coming in. That just leaves one person.