Page 18 of Smokey's Distraction
“Yeah, the one I would’ve filed if I’d gotten hurt this morning. When was the last time you were at that house?”
“It’s been a while. Are you okay?”
Ashley pressed her lips together.The threat of suing does it every time.“I barely escaped the tile downpour.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll send over a handyman to repair the damages. The garage door too.”
“Since you’re willing to do repairs, the windows in the master bedroom and family room have cracks around the frames, and the house feels like a wind tunnel. It’s been snowing since Saturday, and I’m freezing to death in that igloo.”
Zach laughed. “Okay—we can change out the windows.”
“Or I can stay at the Palace Hotel—it looks nice.”
“It should—it’s a five-star hotel. You have expensive taste, Ashley. It’ll be cheaper for me to send someone over to repair the place.”
“You can’t blame me for trying. I love historic—” A small knock on the door interrupted Ashley’s train of thought. “Come in,” she said.
Pearl stuck her head through the doorway. “Mr. Harty’s ready to see you.”
“Thanks.” Ashley held up her hand in a wait-a-second gesture and put the phone back against her ear. “Zach, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you after work.”
Pearl led her into a lavish office and gestured to a pair of brown leather chairs in front of a massive desk. “Please sit down, Mr. Harty will be with you in a minute.” The woman smiled, then scampered out of the room.
The back of Daniel Harty’s chair faced her while he had a phone to his ear. Ashley sat down and crossed her legs, and as she looked around the room, she noticed there weren’t any framed family pictures adorning the desk, walls, or tops of file cabinets. The room was decorated tastefully but devoid of anything remotely personal.
“Just make sure you know what the hell you want before I give you a bid on the job,” Mr. Harty said.
Why does that voice sound so familiar?Ashley clasped her hands together in her lap. She was a sucker for a man with a deep voice, dark hair, and darker eyes.Throw a little danger in there and I’m hopeless.A smile whispered across her lips but then disappeared when she realized that her new client and boss had ended his call.
For a couple of minutes, Daniel Harty sat there looking out the window.Maybe he doesn’t know I’m here.She straightened up in the chair and cleared her voice. He swiveled around and faced her.
Holy Shit.
Her manicured nails dug into her skin.It’s the guy from the bar—the sexy, good-looking guy. Oh fuck, and I didn’t think my day could get any worse. Maybe he won’t recognize me.She crossed her fingers and held her breath.
Then a smirk moved across his face and her stomach dropped at the same time she unclasped her hands. And if that wasn’t enough, he shot her a wink.He recognizes me, and he’s got the damn gall to wink. The asshole’s enjoying this. How the hell am I going to work for him?
He glanced down at a file on his desk and then looked back up, his captivating black gaze holding her prisoner.
“SoMarieisn’t your name.” It was a statement, not a question.
She shook her headno,then scowled at him.
He laughed. “Mine is still Smokey—Daniel for business, but Smokey’s what I go by. What else did you lie about Ms.”—he glanced down at the file again—“Callahan? Oh yeah … you’re not a tourist and you’re probably not staying at any of the hotels.” For a quick second, darkness replaced smugness, but then his smartass smirk was back, and Ashley wondered if she’d imagined it.
“Oh please, don’t act like you’re shocked. I was alone in a bartryingto enjoy one of my favorite hometown bands. I wasn’t there to meet anyone, so why would I tell you—a perfect stranger—the truth? Women can never be too trusting or careful in a situation like that.”
“What did you think I was going to do with your first name?” His eyes twinkled.
The jerk’s having a good time atmyexpense. I’d love to smack that smugness right off his too-handsome face.
“You’re purposely trying not to understand. Anyway, this new development makes our working situation a bit awkward,” she said.
“I don’t agree. It’s interesting, maybe a little fun, but not awkward.” Again that damn smirk resurfaced.
“I’m sure Zach told you I was an all-business type of person, so let’s get this straight—you and I will have nothing more than a professional relationship. I’m here because you hired the firm to work out a three-month marketing campaign, and that’s it.”
“The Ashley Callahan I pictured after I spoke with Zach certainly isn’t the one sitting in front of me, and I’m damn relieved.” He stared at her for a moment, then wiggled his brows at her.
