Joyfully His(Sterling Canyon Book 4)(9)
“It’s not terrible. I’ve been thinking about asking them to buy me out for what equity I have in the place. They could assume my share of the mortgage. It would give me enough for first and last month’s rent plus some savings. But with my job situation up in the air, I need to play it safe.”
She understood. Andy was a ski instructor in the winter, and his handyman job at Emma’s inn would’ve been low paying and without benefits, too. “Have you ever thought of becoming a carpenter or plumber or something? They make more than a handyman.”
“To become a master plumber requires at least five solid years of experience, which means I’d have to give up ski instructing. I know I’m still on probation, but I’m hoping to make it stick. I can’t imagine giving it up, even though I’ll never get rich unless I win the lottery.” He tilted his head, smiling. “It’s not the smart move, but you understand. I can tell you love it as much as I do.”
She nodded because they definitely shared that passion. Too bad it hadn’t led to other types of passion. “What about home renovations? People around here are always updating the bathrooms and kitchens in these old Victorians. That seems like something you could do and make decent money.”
He cocked his head as if he’d never considered the idea. “I guess I could try. Would anyone hire the town felon, though?”
Technically, he wasn’t a felon, but she knew what he meant, and her heart twisted.
“If I had money, I’d hire you. Have you seen our bathroom?” She laughed, hoping to lighten the mood.
Amy wandered back into the room, interrupting them. Her flawless face beamed when she twirled around the crowded space, trying not to bump into anything. “I knew it would be striking.” She lunged toward Andy and hugged him. His eyes widened, but he hugged her back. “Thank you for helping. I can’t wait for our parents to see it on Christmas Eve.”
For the second time that day, Nikki repressed a surge of envy. Andy and Amy looked positively perfect together. Two beautiful people, who each approached every day with an easy smile and manner. Their personalities were well suited, and no one would deny they’d produce gorgeous, jolly little babies, too. As luck would have it, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” started playing, like the perfect soundtrack to a romantic comedy. Except this wasn’t very funny.
“I’m glad you’re so happy.” Andy eased out of Amy’s hold.
“Thrilled.” Amy reached up and fingered his hair. “Now, let’s clip this mop.”
“I don’t think I need a haircut.” He patted his hair and looked at Nikki. “Do you?”
“I like it as it is.” She loved when his heavy bangs fell across his eyes at times, and the way the back curled against his collar. Even more, she’d love to grab hold of all that hair in the throes of . . .
“What are you thinking?” Amy stared at her with a puzzled look on her face.
“Nothing. My mind blanked.” Liar, liar. She refrained from bringing her palm to her hot cheek. Could she be more ridiculous? Andy was destined for someone sweet and pretty like Amy, not someone as graceless and plain as she was.
“I’ll help you clean up, then I’ll get out of your way.” Andy bent over to collect the paint tray.
“Leave it, please. You’ve done enough,” Nikki insisted. She was sorry to see him go, but better that than watching Amy fawn all over him for another hour. No man, including Andy, could resist Amy’s charms indefinitely. “I’ll walk you out.”
Nikki followed him down the narrow stairwell to the door to the street and out onto the small front porch. “Thanks, again. I know I wasn’t very gracious at first.”
“It’s okay, Nik. You’ve never liked to ask for help.” He leaned close, resting one hand on the porch banister. “So, do you really think people would hire me to do small renovation jobs?”
Nikki saw the stark vulnerability in his eyes and wished she were emotionally bold like Amy so she could fling her arms around him, too. Of course, she didn’t act on that urge. “I do. If you want, I’ll keep my ear to the ground and feed you any leads.”
“Something to consider.” Then, as if he hadn’t stopped to think about it, he reached out and snatched a bit of her hair. Smiling at her, he said, “Looks like you got some blue highlights.”
She’d been so busy spying on him that she hadn’t been paying much attention to what she’d been doing. “Charming.”
“Actually, it is. Fits you and your uniqueness.” He tucked the curl behind her ear. Unlike Billy B, Andy’s eyes never once strayed to her scar.
It felt like the porch had turned into a raft drifting on a choppy lake. She could barely find her footing. Before she could reply, he bent down and kissed her on the cheek, right at the corner of her lips. Soft and warm, and she wished he’d move just a touch to the left.
“Good night, Nik.” He pulled back, lingering for a second as if assessing her response.
Does he want me to kiss him? He’s on probation at work. I’m his boss. Billy B is making waves. Don’t spin something out of nothing. He’s only a friend. Just a friendly guy.
“Good night.” She stepped back with a little wave.
Andy nodded, shoved his hands in his coat pockets, and jogged down the steps toward his car.
Once inside, she leaned against the closed door and touched the corner of her mouth where his lips had been. Bittersweet yearning coursed through her like adrenaline.
If I’m not careful, he’ll break my heart.
Chapter Six
During the holiday season, red ribbons and enormous pine wreaths blanketed the interior of the Cliff Lodge, helping to mask the aroma of greasy food and spilled beer. By the time Andy finished belting out the old Journey song Nikki had selected as part of their bet, all of the employees had joined in to chant “Don’t stop . . . believin’.”
He didn’t exactly relish being center stage, yet hanging out with his friends in a party environment and somehow belonging again were about the best Christmas gifts he could’ve asked for—occasional off-key vocals be damned.
When the final note ended, he left the stage amid enthusiastic applause. People slapped his back, offering praise, but he wanted to get to Nikki. He’d seen the surprise in her eyes when he’d started to sing. He’d seen something else, too. Something that looked a little like admiration, which he hadn’t felt in forever, and maybe even a little like lust.
Lust was another thing he’d been missing in his life. Now reignited, that fire spurred him to action. In the back of his mind, he understood it could also get him burned. Right now he didn’t seem to care.
He breezed past the table where all the Secret Santa gifts were displayed. He’d been hired too late to participate in the team-wide tradition, but he’d anonymously slipped a little something there for Nikki. She’d know it was from him, no doubt. But he was sure she’d keep her poker face in place.
He crossed to her, palms out. “Well?”
“Pretty good.” Her lips twitched like she was fighting a smirk. “Nice to know we won’t need to cover our ears when you sing it again.”
“Same song? How about you let me pick the next one instead.” He pulled out a chair and sat back, stretching his legs.
Cindy, a fortysomething instructor who liked to work with the pre-K kids, leaned forward. “How about Bon Jovi?”
“What? Why are you guys so into the eighties?” Andy laughed.
“The best karaoke is from the eighties. How about Madonna?” Nik proposed.
“Vogue.” He framed his face with his hands, then shook his head. “You can do better. How about a classic, like Sinatra?”
His mother had loved Sinatra’s crooning because it reminded her of childhood days spent at her grandmother’s house. He’d heard “Fly Me to the Moon” so often as a kid he could recite it in his sleep.
“Maybe a country classic, like Willie Nelson.” Nikki swallowed a long gulp of beer.
“Okay, I can live with that.” He smiled at her, wishing Cindy and the others would make themselves scarce.
Nikki looked great in her comfortable jeans, fitted red sweater, and hair curling right above her breasts. When she laughed so hard she practically snorted, it only made her more appealing to him. He admired her lack of pretense. Most of all, her confidence in him had come along just when he’d lost faith in second chances, and that was the best Christmas gift of all.
Instead of everyone leaving them alone, Joanna, a resort daycare worker, popped up and extended her hand. “How about a dance, Andy?”
In his periphery, he saw Nikki press her lips together and look away. He’d rather dance with Nik, but this was a work party, Don was in the corner observing everyone, and chances were very high that even if Nik had any interest in him, she’d never express it in front of the crew. Especially not with Billy nearby, ready to gossip.
Joanna’s hand still dangled in front of him, so he said, “Sure.”
Jo had always been fun, so he followed her to the small dance floor and shuffled along to some Pitbull song, raising his hands in the air during the refrain along with everyone else.