Page 24 of Better Together

Zeke sent a wink emoji and her face flushed. She sent another text: I’ll head back to the Elmhurst when I’m finished with your mom.

I’ll be here. Good luck with Mom. Tell her to buy the place.

Alexis smiled at his reply. Zeke didn’t understand that the reason his mom was hesitant about purchasing the townhome wasn’t because she needed an inspection, but because moving out of the home she raised her family in would be hard. Linnie was Alexis’s second mom, and if she could be some comfort to her, she was happy to meet, inspect, and reassure her she was making the right decision. Besides, Linnie would spend time at the family home when Maggie and Owen continued the tradition of Saturday-night dinners, and fill in running the resort when they were out of town.

She texted Zeke back. I will. I’ll fill you in later.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

With four weeks left and her foreman still out on paternity leave, Alexis’s muscles ached with exhaustion. She removed her tool belt and draped it over the end of the sawhorse. Twelve-hour days, six days a week, were taking their toll. She needed a long soak in the hot tub to soothe her tired body, and an early bedtime.

Her crew chief, Evan, walked into the kitchen. “We’re making great progress. Any word on your former foreman—Pete, right?”

“Yes, but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet.” She was happy with the progress on the Elmhurst house, but she worried that if Pete couldn’t help her out, she’d fall behind schedule.

“Are we calling it a day, boss?” asked Evan.

Alexis leaned against the newly added support that helped to bear the weight of the open floor plan. “Yep. I think we all deserve to knock off at a decent hour and enjoy the rest of our weekend.”

Zeke came through the back door with a smile on his face, rubbing his hands together. “So, who’s joining me at Oktoberfest tonight? Garrett will have samples of his new brew, and the firehouse is hosting a s’mores station by the lake, behind the lodge.”

The rest of the crew joined them, chattering about heading to the festival, some of their wives already there. “Count me out,” Alexis said.

“Come on, Alexis. You can make time for one drink, and I know how much you like s’mores. Think of the silky milk chocolate and gooey marshmallow sandwiched between crisp honey graham crackers.” Zeke’s mouth twitched into a smirk.

He was playing hardball. Zeke knew once she visualized any dessert, she couldn’t banish it from her mind.

He continued, “My family will be there and so will the Reid family. Plus, Maggie made me promise to talk you into coming. You said it yourself, and I quote: ‘We all deserve to enjoy our weekend.’ Come relax by the lake.”

She hated when Zeke threw her own words back at her, especially when he followed up with a flash of that deep dimple and a panty-melting grin she had a hard time resisting.

Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to take a break, but she needed to shower and change clothes before heading over. She hoped her hot water heater arrived soon; she was sick of not having her own shower. Her crew might not feel the need to clean up, but she wouldn’t think of showing up in her work clothes, smelling like sawdust and sweat. No way.

With a tired sigh, she caved. “Sure. I need to freshen up. I’ll meet you there,” she said to Zeke. They both knew very well she’d be at his house showering, but she didn’t need her crew to find out.

“Maggie put me in charge of dragging you out tonight. I’ll stop by in an hour, and we can walk over together.”

“Fine,” Alexis said. Thank God she’d found two more able-bodied men to work the Elmhurst house. Maybe she could relax tonight.

“Rest up, everyone, and enjoy your day off tomorrow. I’ll see you all bright and early Monday morning.” Alexis shrugged on her coat. “Let’s go, Zeke, before I change my mind.”

* * *

Comfort won out as Alexis pulled on a long dark-gray turtleneck sweater and black leggings. She paired her outfit with her knee-high leather boots and her latest Chloe creation, a long hammered-steel necklace she’d bought at Rural Chic Boutique.

She finger-combed her chin-length bob and added some mousse for a messy but stylish look. Maggie had dragged her offsite the other day for the last appointment at the salon. She appreciated Maggie for taking care of her when she’d most likely have kept putting off getting her hair done.

“Hey, Alexis. You about ready?” Zeke called from the kitchen.

She stepped into the room, and he whistled. “Gorgeous.”

Alexis’s face flushed from the compliment. Zeke complimented females all the time, but this time she had the strange feeling his admiration and the seductive pull of his mouth meant more.

“Thanks.” She grabbed her boots and pulled them on while Zeke watched. She had noticed slight changes in his behavior toward her. Could she chance their friendship by making a move, or would she embarrass herself if she’d misread the compliments as more? The way his T-shirt showed off his sculpted, muscular shoulders had her entertaining the thought of sliding her hands over his body.

She averted her eyes when his grin ticked up. “I’m ready,” she said. She tucked her cash and license into a small cross-body purse. She needed to cool her thoughts and her body down.

Zeke held the door open. “Ethan texted me and said there are several food trucks lined up in front of the lodge.”