"Aren't you worried no one will bother to support your business?"
"Not at all." I grinned. "There is still the coffee."
Trisha smiled her brilliant smile as she shook her head. "You are much more confident than I would be in your shoes."
My heart lurched at the thought that this might not take off like I hoped it would, but if it didn't...it was nothing I couldn't jump back from. I was still young. "I have you to remind me how awesome I am."
She threw her arm around me and pulled me in for a tight hug. "You will always have me."
I knew I would always have Trisha. It always amazed me how protective the girl could be over me when she couldn't even manage to pay a bill on time without me reminding her. She considered me experienced in the world of paper, but innocent in every other aspect of life. I didn't really understand her logic, but I assumed it was because I hadn't slept around at all during high school or even college. I had always preferred to spend my time with my nose buried in the crease of a book or my mind in the clouds.
"When are you expecting the contractor to arrive?" She asked, releasing me from her embrace.
"Soon." I glanced at my watch to find he was late. "He should have been here fifteen minutes ago."
"Oh," the corners of her lips dipped in a frown. "That's not a good start."
"Anything could have happened," I shrugged it off. "This is New York."
"The city of possibilities." Trisha finished off for me and we laughed like hyenas at our ridiculousness.
Just then, the door opened. A man walked into the room as we quickly swiped at the tears that had formed in the corners of our eyes from laughing too hard, for too long. He looked behind him, shifted uncomfortably and sighed. "I'm Trey Boyd, the contractor."
I fought to assemble myself as I closed the distance, offering him my hand. "I'm Olivia LeRoux and this is Trisha Bauer. It's nice to meet you." And it was. He was hot!
Trey had sandy hair and amused green eyes. His muscles bulged under his fitted blue shirt and his hand was strong and warm as it folded around mine.
"It's my pleasure." His steady eyes remained on my face for longer than necessary and I felt a blush creep into my cheeks.
I shifted uncomfortably. Trisha came to my rescue, shoving her hand into his. "You made it. We were almost worried you weren't going to show."
"That would be bad for business." He smiled and Trisha melted. I literally watched as the muscles in her back relaxed beneath his grin. He really was good at this. Trisha didn't melt for just anyone. She flirted with anyone who looked her way, but melting was reserved for a small selection of men who walked the earth.
Trey pulled his hand from Trisha's. His eyes flickered over my body as though he was drinking me in. He was cute and definitely interesting. But, he just didn't do it for me...not the way Jace did. I caught myself before my track of thought was lost in the memory of Jace's heated gaze. I cursed internally.
I was so not going there!
I cleared my throat. "Well, I guess we should be getting started."
"As you wish." Trey winked, as he turned his back to me. My mouth fell open as I watched him move to a small table that had been brought in for situations like these. Trey laid his plans on the dusty surface and started pointing, forcing me to close the distance between us so I was able to understand what he was referring to when he spoke.
Trisha shot me a shit-grin when I moved nearer to Trey. I glared daggers at her. If she humiliated me today by offering to set us up on a date, I would kill her and bury her body in Central Park. There was only so much stimulation my nerves could take and their weekly cap had already been used on Jace.
Trey went over everything. On top of being absolutely stunning, he was truly exceptional at his job. And, beyond that, it seemed he was passionate about every aspect his job entailed. His energy was vibrating around him as he spoke about the colors, the set up of the café section and the rows of built in bookshelves. He missed nothing. He was so hired.
If there was anyone I trusted with aiding me in making my dream become reality, it was him. His eye for detail in a blank opus was extraordinary and I would be a fool not to see that.
"What do you think? Is there anything I missed?" He asked. I leaned over his drawing. I was in awe of his talent.
"No," I breathed. "I think you captured my vision for the place."
"I'm glad to hear that." He grinned and leaned down on the table next to me. His face was inches from mine and my heart lurched. "When do we start?"
"Um," I straightened and he chuckled. "When can you get a crew together?"