Page 31 of Better Together

He finished his call and walked over with an invoice in hand. “Hey, Alexis. They delivered our windows to Ryan’s house. The lumberyard said the invoice had the wrong address. It’ll be a couple hours before the truck can get there to pick them up.”

“That doesn’t make sense. I placed the order myself. We can’t wait for the truck to come back. Let’s go get as many as we can.”

“I’ve already called in reinforcements.”

“Really?”

“That’s what I’m here for,” Zeke said.

“Well yeah, and for my viewing pleasure.” Alexis’s hand flew to her mouth. She blamed little sleep and waking up from a sensual dream of Zeke.

His eyes twinkled with mischief. He reached for her wrist and pulled her close. “Feel free to look . . . and touch.” With his other hand, he traced her jawline and tipped her chin. With their lips close, she inhaled his woodsy scent. She closed her eyes as Zeke leaned in, her body radiating with desire.

The shuffle of feet sounded from behind them and they flew apart. Shit. She was acting careless on the jobsite.

“Did I interrupt something?” Maggie asked. “I’d like to go over the paint colors and a few lighting choices I brought with me if you have time, but I could come back.”

Alexis cleared her throat. “Zeke was helping me with an unruly eyelash. Let’s see those paint colors.”

That was close.

* * *

With a plan for painting and hanging lights at the Elmhurst house, Alexis headed to the church. “Wow, Pete, this kitchen is amazing. Kate will be pleased.” Alexis ran her hands over the white granite countertops. She always loved when the kitchen cabinets and countertops were in, because it made it seem they’d made a lot of progress, the end in sight.

“The tile arrived a few hours ago.” Pete stepped around her and motioned to the boxes. “Stan will be here to install the kitchen and bathroom floors tomorrow.”

“Perfect.” Her phone rang and she glanced at the caller. “It’s my plumber.”

Pete walked away to give her privacy, and she found him again when she’d finished her call.

“I’m going to head home,” she told him. “My plumber needs to get in to install my new water heater. Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do, General.”

Alexis sent a quick text to Zeke: I’m heading home. My water heater is being replaced, and I have an interview with James.

Go get ’em, tiger. A kiss emoji followed Zeke’s text.

Not knowing how to respond, she headed home with a huge smile on her face. She didn’t bother telling him about her date tonight.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

With her new water heater installed, Alexis took a shower and got ready for the interview with James. She poured herself a glass of water to help with her dry throat. She’d put him off long enough. He’d be here any minute.

When the doorbell rang, she placed her water glass on the counter and checked her hair in the entryway mirror before opening the door. “Hi, James. Come on in.”

“Thanks for having me to your house, Alexis. I thought it would be quieter, with fewer distractions. Where would you like me to set up?” He glanced around her living room.

She ushered him through the house. “Either at the dining room table or in the living room is fine.”

He nodded. “The living room has good light.”

She moved out of the way as James placed his camera on a tripod.

“Where would you like me to sit?” she asked.

James pointed to the couch. “I’ll take the chair. Just look at me and act like the camera isn’t there.”