Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
He studies me for a moment. “Lenny isn’t coming with us. Says he’s too old to travel around the country. This is his last job before retiring.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” I’ve come to like Lenny.
He stares as though waiting. “Harper, we’ll need a contractor.”
“Oh, you want me to introduce you to some people? I don’t know if Samantha is completely ready. She’s pretty young and needs more time, but she’s going to be great one day and she looks…” I’m interrupted by him chuckling and leaning over to kiss me.
“I don’t want Samantha. Nothing against her, but I like to hire the absolute best,” he whispers against my lips. “And you are the best.”
The idea sparks something deep inside, but I can’t give up my whole life to follow some man around. “I have a job.”
“Unless they oust you, and then you’ll need one.” He straightens up and genuinely looks like he would enjoy the scenario. “Think about it. No more big boxes. No more huge crews. And all the orgasms you can handle.”
I’m about to argue that making orgasms part of the job is unprofessional—and really hot—but then I hear someone opening my door.
I groan as I realize who it is. “I’m so sorry, Reid. That is my mother.”
“Harper,” she calls out. “Harper, are you still here?” She walks into the living room, lips pursed as she looks me over. “I thought you would still be here. Those Hollywood people are making you soft. Your father was always at work long before the sun rose.”
I stifle a groan. “They’re not from Hollywood. Many are hardworking Canadians, though this one is New York born and bred. Reid, this is my mother, Margie Ross. Mom, meet…”
“Why on earth is Reid Dorsey in your house?” She smooths back her hair and is suddenly smiling. “I’m sorry, Mr. Dorsey. I’m completely forgetting my manners. It’s so lovely to meet you. Oh, I wish Harper had cleaned up more. I assure you I taught her how to keep house properly.”
She starts to straighten up the mail I chucked on the end of the bar.
“Mr. Dorsey is here because we…” I begin.
“Are dating.” Reid moves to my side, his arm going around my shoulders. “And her place is perfectly lived in. I can’t stand it when a house is neat as a pin. It lets me know the person who lives there doesn’t have a life.”
I turn my head to stare at him but he’s serious. This man never has a thing out of place. His home is immaculate. “I should tell Aggie,” I say under my breath.
His lips kick up slightly. “She knows I don’t have a life.”
“You’re dating Reid Dorsey?” My mother looks shocked. It’s good to know I can still do that to her. “And you didn’t tell us?”
I never planned to tell her. Reid has zero idea the can of worms he’s opened. “It’s pretty new, Mom. And also casual.”
“Not so casual I didn’t wake up here this morning,” Reid offers. “So you should also consider the fact that having another whole human being in a place can make it messier. It’s not bad. You keep a fine house.”
I didn’t consider the fact that he is defending me. He doesn’t even know my mom but he’s telling her to lay off. Ivy and Ani stopped a long time ago because the fight’s not worth it. I’ll tell Reid the same thing once she’s gone but… I realize how alone I’ve been feeling. Maybe I won’t tell him. It’s dangerous because he told me he’s leaving for California, but I can’t help but revel in the warmth I feel right now.
My mom stops fussing. “Well, I guess Harper works, so it’s hard to keep up both. Harper, I wanted to talk to you about having a big family gathering before the meeting in a few weeks. I know there’s been trouble, and everyone is anxious about the new changes you’ve made.”
I step away from Reid because suddenly my shoulders are up around my ears. I am anxious. Everything seems to be slipping through the cracks, reminding me how much I’m needed there. Paul is sloppy and he puts his buddies in lead jobs on the sites rather than the person with the best experience and skills. “I’ve explained to you that they aren’t arbitrary changes because I’m some kind of evil oligarch trying to take all the wealth for myself.”
She sighs. “Harper, no one thinks that. Everyone knows how hard you work. I know some of the things your father did weren’t perfectly legal, but he did them for the family. We need to sit down and figure out how to help. Aunt Elaine needs a new car.”
“Aunt Elaine is ninety-two, and they took her license because she smashed into a fire hydrant the last time she drove.”