She laughs at me. “We don’t use worms. We bait the fish with artificial flies that’s why it’s called fly fishing.”
“As long as we catch some big trout, I don’t care what we use as bait. I’m looking forward to learning all your tricks and techniques, and frying those fish on the barbecue.”
“It’s the least I can do after you helping me with my landscaping.”
“Speaking of landscaping. I mentioned your burning bush to Tyler.”
She gives me the side eye like she’s not sure whether this conversation has gone south or not. “Ah, okay…”
I pull into Tyler’s driveway and kill the ignition. “He was all over the idea. In fact, he was hoping you could redesign his yard, front and back. He wants to hire you, and said he’s been meaning to get some work done, he’s just been busy.”
Her mouth falls open. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, very.” I wave my hand. “This is your new playground.”
With eyes as big as hockey pucks, she glances around the yard and says, “I can’t believe this. The contract will go a long way in paying…”
Her voice falls off and she looks away like she’s said too much. But I understand. She’s responsible for her grandmother’s care and bills. I don’t say anything, though. I don’t want to embarrass her.
“So what do you think?”
“I think I have a ton of ideas,” she says, the joy back on her face. “Right over there, I think we could put some evergreens, and right there, I’d love to see rhododendrons. I can sketch it all out first.”
“I’m sure that won’t be necessary. But if you want, you can.”
She turns back to me, her eyes so soft and so goddamn warm my heart pounds a little fast. It’s insane how much I like doing things for her. Probably because she asks for nothing.
She puts her hand on mine. “You were so sweet to recommend my services, Alek.”
I tap the steering wheel with my free hand. “It’s possible I have ulterior motives.”
“Oh,” she asks, her brows lifting, a knowing gleam in her eyes.
I give a casual shrug, not wanting to scare her off, or for her to think I want more here, because I don’t. Fuck, all I can hope for is that this thing between us ends amicably, and when I leave—with Alyssa never really knowing who I was—I can only hope we both have fun, and hold on to a few fond memories of this summer fling. Only problem is, it doesn’t feel like my true identity is a harmless omission anymore. It feels like deception, and this is a girl who appreciates honesty. I guess I never expected this to get so complicated. Unease unfurls in my gut, and I draw in a fast breath to pull myself together.
Fuck me.
“I was thinking, maybe you might want to hang out longer, while you’re working on Tyler’s place.”
“You want to extend the five days?” she asks, and licks her lips. My cock twitches.
“It’s been kind of fun, don’t you think?”
Her eyes glaze over a bit, and she tugs at her bottom lip with her teeth. Damn she’s sexy.
“Oh, I think.”
“So that’s a yes?”
She looks around, like she’s considering it. “Does Tyler really want his yard done? He really said that to you?”
“He knew who you were the second I mentioned your name.” Her gaze flies back to me, and I hold my hand up. “Scout’s honor.”
She chuckles. “Were you really a scout?”
“No, but I ate a brownie once.”
“Oh my God,” she says, her laugh deep and throaty as she gets out of the truck. “I can’t believe you just said that.”