Velvet and Lace(7)

“Did you bring the floor plans and wood samples?” She tried to take the anger out of her voice. She had already signed the contract so there was no getting out of working with him. She just needed to get this meeting over quickly so she could get away from him. She was also hoping to avoid the initial, ‘What are you selling?’ conversation.

“Of course, I brought everything. Would you like to take a look?” His voice was calm, but he didn’t smile. He held up the bundle that was underneath his arm. It appeared to be a large bundle of catalogs and samples.

The building used to be a clothing store, so there wasn’t anywhere for them to sit. But there was a wooden counter where they could lay out the plans. They spent a long time talking about the structure of the building and what they could and couldn’t do with it. Then they had to discuss wall material and whether she wanted paint, wallpaper, or paneling.

By the time they got from wood samples, to flooring, to windows and doors, Daphne was exhausted and her temples were beginning to pound. However, she was happy with her decisions and she found Trent to be incredibly knowledgeable and kind once he delved into something he enjoyed discussing. His eyes lit up and it was hard to not watch him in his element.

When they were finished, she went to shake his hand. He glanced down at her extended palm and then back up at her face before glancing back down once more. His gaze made her nervous and she dropped her hand. He continued to stare for a moment longer, then opened his mouth, and then closed it just as fast.

He stuck his hand out, and she tentatively slipped hers inside. The heat of his palm almost seared her, but she resisted the urge to pull away. Then when he smiled, she knew he felt it too.

“Thank you, Mr. Bradshaw. We are going to be meeting again in a few days correct?” She pulled her hand away and gave him a small smile.

“Trent. Please, Daphne, call me Trent. And yes, it shouldn’t take long to get the supplies in. My crew and I will go ahead and begin the gutting process on the building. Then as soon as everything comes in, I’ll give you a call and you can make sure everything is what you wanted. Once we have your approval, we will continue the construction.” He gathered up all of his samples and paperwork.

With his back turned from her, she was able to look him over without him noticing. He was taller than she remembered and he had definitely filled out. He had always been in good shape in high school but now his muscles were more defined beneath his clothing. He just looked thicker, but not fat. Definitely, not fat.

When her gaze dipped down to his behind, her pulse picked up. The jeans molded completely to his very round backside that she could easily sink her fingers into. She noticed him shifting slightly and she jerked her gaze away.

Once he turned around, she led him out of the building and then turned to lock it the door behind him.

“You never did tell me what you were planning on selling. Fabric, craft supplies, clothing?” He walked in the direction of his truck, before turning to look at her with his eyebrow raised.

Once she was safely next to her Camaro she turned around and smiled.

“Why, Mr. Bradshaw, I’m opening an adult sex toy and clothing shop.” Daphne laughed at the expression on his face, before she climbed into her Camaro and left him standing open–mouthed in the heat.



****



At 12:30, Daphne was rushing into the diner to meet Anna. Patty’s Diner was the same place it had always been, the central hub of gossip and good food in Ambrosia. The red booths had been redone since the last time she had been home. But it was the exact same look. The benches just weren’t cracking in places. The counter was full with the usual suspects and behind it stood Patty, the owner, operator of the diner.

In the kitchen, Daphne was sure she would find Joey, Patty’s son who joined into the business. There were two waitresses in the restaurant and they were new to Daphne. Patty always tried to hire local girls to work as waitresses. She believed in giving back. But she also believed in discipline and that a person should work hard for what they had. Patty was in her early fifties, with brown hair that had just a few streaks of grey. She had a large wide smile that graced every single one of her customers as they entered her domain.

She was a larger woman, which told everyone she enjoyed food and she wasn’t ashamed to admit it. Her husband left her when Daphne was in high school and Daphne remembered it being the hot issue for a long time. Until the day Patty came into work with a genuine smile on her face, and told everyone she wished Jed well with the hooker he ran off with. Since then it appeared she had been enjoying her life for her and not someone else. Daphne always respected her for that.