I didn’t need reminding of that fact.
A ping sounded, signaling I had a message. I held the phone away from my face and saw the text was from Amanda.
My heart missed a beat.
I HAD FUN TODAY. THANK YOU FOR THE RIDE. The rest of the message was off-screen.
My bad mood immediately lightened. “Mom, I need to go. I’ve got an early day, okay? I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you.”
“Okay, honey. I’m glad we talked. It’s nice to hear your voice. I miss it when I don’t hear it.”
“Yours, too.”
“Brax, are you sure you’re alright?” She sounded hesitant. “I could come up and visit…”
I rubbed my jaw, knowing tomorrow I would have a huge bruise there. “Yeah, I’m fine, Mom. I promise. I’ll call soon. Tomorrow’s a new day.”
CHAPTER 6
Amanda
I had been so bummed out last night after Brax left that I had called Kara. She’d seemed really excited to talk, and although I didn’t bring up anything about Brax, she offered to come by and help me today.
At eight o’clock this morning, she showed up wearing rolled up sweat pants and a paint stained t-shirt and holding two large cups of coffee. “Double Mocha Delight. I also bought you a blueberry muffin. You’re losing your ass, and how are we going to get you a man if you have no ass?”
I smiled, happy to have her around. “Where are the kids?”
“At my mom’s.”
“I didn’t mean to keep you away from them.”
She snorted and shot coffee out her nose. Pulling a Kleenex from her purse, she said, “Are you kidding me? Wild horses couldn’t pull me away from seeing Brax Mitchell swinging a hammer in ninety-degree heat. Though he might be grossed out at me because I’m already raining sweat, and I’ll be a stinky mess come noon, which is as late as you’ll get me today by the way. Well, maybe as far as two o’clock. It depends on the amount of skin in the room.”
“I’m happy to have you at all. Thank you, and thank your kids.”
“Seriously, they’re loving their life right now. Any time they get to see my mom is a bonus for them and for me.” She took a sip of her coffee and set it on the windowsill. “So where is the eye candy?”
I finished taping around the doorframe. “He’s picking up new windows.”
“I think that’s him now,” Kara said excitedly, her eyes lighting up as Brax backed into the driveway.
This would be really awkward. Last night he’d responded to my text with a brief, MY PLEASURE. That was it. I couldn’t read anything into that message, and I almost regretted sending one to him.
I just needed to act like nothing had happened, that we hadn’t kissed and I hadn’t practically begged for him to bone me…and everything would be perfect.
“So I suppose we should act like we’re actually doing something other than standing here ogling him when he walks in?” Kara picked up a roller and handed one to me. “Time for us to look busy.”
Brax knocked, and before I could move Kara was at the door, throwing it wide open. “Good morning!”
He had on dark jeans with a rip at one knee and a white t-shirt that you could see his ink through. “Good morning,” he replied, flashing dimples. He glanced at me. “You managed to talk a friend into helping. Well done!”
I grinned and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
“Is that a bruise on your jaw?” Kara asked.
He rubbed his jaw. “I ran into a door last night.”
She lifted a brow and glanced at me. I don’t think either one of us bought that story. Of course my mind immediately went to the worst possible scenario – that he rushed to his ex and she’d been so upset, she’d roughed him up.
Setting a paper bag of supplies on the floor, he headed for the door. “I’ll grab the windows and bring them in. Your brother should be by in an hour to help.”
“Tell me you’re not paying Toby,” Kara said, her eyes shifting to Brax’s tight ass.
Brax glanced back, and she lifted her gaze just in time. “I’m paying Toby.”
“Why do I suddenly feel screwed?” Kara’s tone was sarcastic and flirty. God, I’d kill for her confidence.
“Talk to the boss.” He nodded toward me. “She’s in charge of the budget. Maybe she can turn loose a few bucks to pay you.”
“Maybe with a hall pass,” I said under my breath, and her gaze snapped to me.
She actually blushed. A rarity, since I had never seen her embarrassed…ever.
He walked outside, and Kara turned to me with her brow lifted high. “Being that hot should seriously be illegal. Today is going to be an incredible day. Marcus better watch it because tonight he’s getting the special treatment.”