“You like that, too?” he asked.
“I like all the things you do,” she whispered. “That’s the problem.”
“But it’s not a problem. It doesn’t have to be a problem if you just give me a chance,” he said, and that idea was starting to grow on her. She didn’t know how to admit it, though, so she stayed silent for now, as he kept up the work on her neck and shoulders, then moved his hands into her hair.
“I don’t have a headache anymore.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.”
“You have no idea how much I needed this,” she said, and it sounded as if her voice might break. “I’ve been dealing with these stupid tension headaches forever and nothing has made them go away like you.” She snapped her fingers to demonstrate, then turned around to face him. “Thank you. Where did you learn how to do that?”
“I went to masseuse school. Didn’t you know?”
She grinned, then swatted his chest playfully. “Seriously. I know you studied business in college. But you’re like a magic cure. How do you do that?” she asked, then cursed herself for opening this can of worms. He probably learned how to give massages from a woman.
“Look, I could give you some line about how I’ve always been good with my hands, and it’s true. But I’m pretty sure that the talent you just saw came from the fact that I put myself through college making pizzas.”
She cracked up—of all the reasons to be good at massage, she’d never have picked that one. “Are you serious? You never told me that before.”
“I was a pizza boy. I got a job at this local pizza joint near school, and I worked my ass off five nights a week making pies. Yep, I can knead dough like nobody’s business.”
“You are a hard worker. I’m impressed too that you put yourself through college.”
“Paid every cent myself. I’ve just always believed you have to work for what you want in life.”
“I believe that, too. My parents offered to help me with a down payment on my first house, but I wanted to do it myself. So as I was tending bar, then managing bars, I saved the money to get myself a little house. It’s small, but it’s mine, and I love it. And speaking of working hard,” she said, shifting gears to a more serious note. “I have an idea for you.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“Now I know you don’t like to ask for help,” she said, doing her best to be gentle but firm. “But I want to help you with your business.”
He gave her a strange look as if she were speaking a foreign language. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you need to expand. You’ve hinted at that before. But you won’t hire anyone because you got burned when that guy you worked with stole from one of your clients, right?”
“Right,” he said, taking a step back, and she knew she was touching a nerve. Smith was very much man against the world, a true do-it-yourselfer.
“My sister runs my parents’ winery and she just hired a bunch of new part-timers to help out. Day laborers. She said they’re great and working out well. And I would really like to connect you with her and see if maybe you can hire some of them too.”
“Yeah, but how do I know it’ll all work out?” he asked, his voice wary.
“You don’t, but she’s good at her job and it seems to be going well so far.”
His features softened. “I guess I can talk to her. I know Becker wants me to get moving on this. But you sure she only uses trustworthy guys?”
“Of course. Diane is very thorough about vetting them.”
“All right. I’ll talk to her and see if I can throw some work their way too,” he said, then ran his hand gently along her arm. “Thank you for wanting to help. It means a lot to me.”
He was starting to mean a lot to her, and that was scary. True feelings were more than she’d bargained for when she masterminded this week-long affair. That’s why she had to stick to her guns, and be over and out after their one date. She’d miss him too much—their friendship and their fun—if they turned serious and then fell to pieces, as they surely would.
At the very least, though, she’d let herself fully enjoy their last night together. The week had neared its end, and she’d promised him one real date. They’d go out with a bang.
Chapter Ten
The restaurant overlooked the town square, tables spilling out onto the sidewalk, and tourists strolled by, weaving in and out of the shops, as they talked throughout the meal—he told her some of his favorite stories about absurd calls he’d gone on for the fire department, and she shared some of her silliest bar tales. She also let him know that she’d talked to Diane, who was eager to help him find some good hires, and wanted to chat on the phone with him tomorrow about next steps.