Page 450 of Seasons of Love
“That he is.”
He didn’t seem to want to share more, so I opened the database where we had information on all the contractors that had been approved to work for the resort already.
It was an extensive list. The majority of them were on the mainland, which explained the preference for the contractors we went for because they were based on the island.
They’d been recommended by Frank, who apparently had a personal relationship with the owner.
I’d still done my own checks before hiring them, cross-referencing when they’d last worked for us with the quality of the work and how it stood the test of time.
There had been no reason for concerns, so it was a real disappointment that they pulled out.
“Jake, who owns Melville?”
“The contracting company? John Melville, why?”
“Frank told me they go back a long way, and since my checks came through without concerns, I don’t understand why they’d pull out, especially without giving a reason when they have a personal relationship with us. This is an expensive contract, so I can’t imagine it would hurt their bottom line.”
“I know. John and Uncle Frank were partners a long time ago. When John’s first wife was sick, he sold his share of the resort to Uncle Frank, who apparently paid him above the market rate to help them out. After she recovered, Uncle Frank asked if he wanted back in the business, but he decided to start up a contracting company with his three brothers. Running a smaller company between four people gave him extra time with his wife. He’s a nice man, very much like Uncle Frank.”
“I can’t help feeling like there’s more to this, and we’re missing something. Maybe I should speak to Frank about it.”
“Sure, but in the meantime, we should probably start making some calls,” Jake said.
I smiled, admiring his focus, especially after coming back from a lunch with Griff. I knew all too well the power of the Griff effect. I just hoped whatever they’d gotten up to, they hadn’t been seen.
Strangely enough, I didn’t feel an ounce of jealousy. Sure, I wanted to have been there with them, but it was good for us to spend time with each other individually, and since Jake didn’t live with us, that was even more important.
Maybe I should take him out on a date too.
“And then I sucked him like a hoover until he came so hard the bunnies got scared and ran away…”
“Huh?” What was he talking about?
He laughed. “I’ve been talking to you, but you were all spaced out.”
“Please tell me you didn’t actually do what you just said.”
“What if we did?” He moved his eyebrows up and down in a suggestive manner.
Fuck, the need to touch Jake was overwhelming. I loved it when he teased me, but knowing he wasn’t coming home with me left me feeling frustrated. When the three of us were together, we were explosive, but I also loved the times we spent together cuddling on the sofa or talking over dinner.
“I’m contemplating if there’s enough budget to build some fucking walls in this office,” I said.
Jake winked as if he knew exactly what I’d do to him if we had the chance and a safe space.
Hours and dozens of phone calls later, and we still hadn’t found a contractor able to step in to do the job. A couple said they could rearrange things with their current clients for a price.
I wasn’t willing to be the reason someone else’s work got delayed, and I definitely couldn’t stretch the budget.
“What if we ask Uncle Frank to talk to John?” Jake asked. His hair was all messy, and his eyes looked tired.
I looked toward the office, and there was no one out there, so I rolled my chair over to him.
“Come here.” I took his hand, and he didn’t argue when I pulled him to my lap but did look around to make sure there was no one around.
“How may I be of assistance, boss?” he asked. He sounded lighthearted but tense, and I couldn’t put my finger on the reason.
Was it the situation with the contractor? Or was it something else?
