All About You (All Series Book 6) (4 page)

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A few hours later, Olivia stood up and started to stretch. She’d been leaning over the table for too long. The piece was coming together and might end up being one of her favorites of all time. Too bad it was for a client and she promised one-of-a-kind. They paid a pretty penny for that and she wouldn’t replicate it, not even close.

Deciding she needed to stretch her legs and go for a walk, she grabbed her purse and opened the door to see Finn standing there with his fist raised in the process of knocking.

“Geez, you scared me,” she said clutching her chest.

“Sorry. I was wondering if you had a few minutes to talk about your display cases.”

“Oh, sure. I was just taking a break.”

“We can do it when you come back,” he said, eying the purse in her hand.

“We could. Or you could go for a walk with me,” she suggested.

“You want me to walk with you?”

“Yeah, you know, that thing where you put one foot in front of the other. I wanted some fresh air.”

She watched as his lips twitched. She’d heard the guys making comments about Finn being grouchy, but he didn’t seem that way to her. He just didn’t fawn over her, not like most of the men did, and honestly, she appreciated it.

“I’ll wait for you. I’ve got a few things to do. Take your time.”

“Suit yourself,” she said, smiling and pulling the door shut behind her, then walked out of the store.

She didn’t miss the looks her way, or Drew clearing his throat. She thought it was funny he made such a big production over who she was and wondered if maybe Phil said something to him.

Last night at dinner, Phil had asked her how things were going and how the men were behaving. She kept the conversation neutral. She didn’t want to get anyone in trouble, but she thought he might have read between the lines.

After she walked around the block, she came back and nodded to Finn. He followed her to her office, then left the door open. She raised her eyebrow at that, but didn’t say anything, just walked forward and shut it herself.

“I don’t like leaving it open with all this inventory.”

“Sorry, I didn’t think of that. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“You aren’t.” Wasn’t that just sweet and considerate. Another side to him.

“First, I want to apologize.”

He looked so serious, not nervous, just serious. “About what?”

“About my comment regarding your brother-in-law and if he was trustworthy. Phil is one of the most trustworthy men I know.”

She laughed. “I totally forgot you said it. No big deal. I wouldn’t have said anything, anyway. I hope you weren’t worried over that.”

“Not really. Phil would have laughed if he knew the whole story.”

“Exactly,” she interrupted him.

“But I didn’t want to offend you.”

Okay, wow. “No, you didn’t. So let’s put it behind us and talk about my display cases.” She rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait to see the design.”

“I don’t have the exact design yet.” She felt her face drop, but forced her smile back. “I mean I have an idea, but I want to run a few things by you before I start.” He laid out some papers that she hadn’t noticed in his hand. His rough calloused hand that set her heart racing. Okay, she had to stop thinking of his hands that way.

She flipped through the few designs he had. “This, I really like how the wood curves here. These are just stunning. Did you draw this yourself?”

He looked embarrassed for a moment, but then said, “Yeah. Just ideas. And that was my favorite too. I’ll get started on them Friday.”

“Oh.” Her lips pouted, but she pulled them back to a smile. The pout was the old her, the person that did those things to get her way. The businesswoman didn’t pout. She asked questions, but she didn’t pout to get her way. “The wood isn’t here yet?”

“It should be here tomorrow, but I’ve got to work and then I sleep on Thursday.”

What the heck was he talking about? “You mean work on another project? What, are you working all night too?” she asked, her lips twitching.

“No, I’m a fireman and it’s my twenty-four-hour shift tomorrow. I’ll sleep on Thursday and be here Friday.”

“The hose-wielding, ax-holding type of fireman?”

“Is there another kind?” he asked, his eyes laughing at her even though his lips weren’t moving.

“Not that I know of.”

Whoa, holy cow, she didn’t expect that and suddenly her pulse was throbbing and her heart was racing. She might have started to feel a tad bit warm inside, too. Not because of the image of him in coveralls and suspenders with no shirt underneath coming to mind, no that would be sexist.

“Then that’s the type of fireman I am.”

Deep breath. Compose yourself. Time to change the subject. Mind off of him in uniform.
“So two jobs, huh? One isn’t enough?” she asked, more curious than anything.

“I like to stay busy. It’s a good living, both of them. Not the fancy-flashy-car living, but a good one.”

There was a dig there, she was sure of it, but he didn’t say it in a mean way, more of a funny one. “It’s just a piece of metal, an engine, and four tires.”

“I’m sure a lot of people would disagree with you.”

She knew that, but most people didn’t get it…they didn’t get her. “Most likely.”

He leaned against the door. “So, you would have liked it if he had a ten-year-old car delivered instead.”

She laughed, the sexy throaty laugh she tried to hold back at times. “I wouldn’t go that far. I mean, we both know it’s a pretty sweet ride. But honestly, if he hand-delivered the old junky car, I’d appreciate it more and you know what? I’d drive it just the same.”

“I believe you.”

“You do?” she asked, shocked.

“Sure, why would you lie about it? You’ve got nothing to gain saying that to me. Besides, I can see it in your eyes. Maybe you’re immune to your wealth, or jaded, or maybe you don’t let it define you.”

She cleared her throat. The conversation was getting a little uncomfortable and hitting a little too close to home for her. She reached forward and moved the sheets of paper around some more.

“I guess we share something in common.”

“What’s that? Are you a fireman too?”

That was somewhat funny and she appreciated that he took her hint with the subject change. “Do I look like one?”

This time he smiled, slow and sexy, and there went the composure she’d been searching for. “You look like someone who doesn’t like to get dirty, so that would be a no.” Before she could argue she wasn’t as pampered as everyone thought, he continued, “Then again, I’ve worked with metals before, and it can be a tough dirty job, so I’d bet you’re good at fooling people.”

She didn’t know what to say to that. Didn’t know how to answer him. Someone she’d just met, and yet he saw right through what everyone else always assumed about her.

“I guess we both have some hidden talents.”

That sexy grin again, showing he wasn’t so gruff—at least not around her. “I’ve got plenty of hidden talents. Which one are you talking about?”

She was enjoying herself. The fun flirting she often had with men. But this was different. There wasn’t any hidden agenda here for her, or if she guessed, for him either. They were working together, and it didn’t hurt to have a nice relationship for work. She could control it and make sure it was only flirting—she was a pro at that.

“The drawing. Or sketching. We both seem to be creative and then can put it down on paper. Guess that’s two things. Creativity and sketching.”

“I guess you’re right.” He nodded, and his smile was gone now for some reason, seriousness back in place. Almost like he caught himself loosening up and reined it back in. The abruptness was a shock, but she could do the same.

“I usually am. I’ll let you get back to work,” she said, dismissing him.

He laughed at her, as if he knew what had come over her, but she didn’t care. Businesswoman, she reminded herself.

“I’ll be out front if you need me.”

With that, he turned and shut the door behind him. What the heck did he mean by that?

She didn’t have time to think about it though. She had work to do herself and turned to get back to it, trying to push Finn out of her mind.

Two hours later, she realized she hadn’t succeeded. She’d been working along steadily, but was aware Finn was just outside her door. She’d heard his voice, mixed in with the rest of the men. She’d been able to pick it out, even through the walls. Low and deep, more of a rumble at times. Whether he was gruff or laughing, it had the same sound.

She looked at her watch, saw it was a little after four and realized they would be cleaning up soon to leave, so she did the same.

By four forty, she gave up hoping Finn would knock on her door like he did yesterday to say they were getting ready to leave, so she grabbed her purse and walked out, locking the door behind her.

Her steps faltered when she saw a little boy running to Finn and heard the word “Daddy” from his lips before Finn picked him up and tossed him in the air and set him back down. Then watched as Finn leaned in and placed a kiss on the cheek of a beautiful woman.

She felt betrayed. How could he? How could he flirt like he had with her, been as nice as he was, and be with someone else? He had a child on top of it.

It hurt, but she realized he was no different from any other man she’d met, three-piece suit or not. Guess it didn’t matter what he did for a living; he was still a snake her eyes.

Squaring her shoulders, she put a smile on her face, walked forward, said her goodbyes to everyone, making brief eye contact with Finn. Nodding her head, she strode right past, out the door and around the corner to her car. There weren’t tears forming in her eyes, not really.

Full of Surprises

A few days later, Olivia had calmed down. She was crazy to get so upset seeing Finn with another woman and his child.

She had no claim over him, nothing at all. They worked together. No, correction, he worked for her.

This was her store, her job, and she was writing the checks. She had every right to be friendly and nice to the crew. It was in her nature to do so. She’d convinced herself it was okay to be nice and flirty. No one was getting hurt.

Just because she felt betrayed, well, that was her problem. She had to stop taking everything to heart. He didn’t do anything wrong, and neither did she.

Today Finn would be here, and she would be professional again. Who cared if she was disappointed her judgment was off and she’d flirted with a taken man—her number one rule broken? That didn’t mean she couldn’t put it behind her and move forward.

That was exactly what she was going to do. Move forward and focus on her work again. What she told herself she was going to do to change her life. The reason she moved here to begin with.

So why was she nervous when she pulled into the parking lot and saw one truck there and no one else’s?

She’d hoped she could beat the crew in and avoid Finn until absolutely necessary, but it didn’t work that way.

She knew it was his truck. He was the only one who had the security code on the crew, she’d been told when she asked Phil.

“Morning,” she said briefly when she walked toward him, as he was looking over the wood that had been delivered and was set aside.

She’d been so excited over it yesterday, the thickness of it, the richness and deep grain that was showing through. It was perfect and she couldn’t wait to see what he had planned, what he was going to start making first.

“Morning,” he mumbled back at her, looking half-awake, but that wasn’t her concern. She didn’t care if he had a rough night. She
wouldn’t
care. “When you’ve got time, I’d like to go over the finalized design. I’ve got a few different ones based on how Phil and you worked out your layout of the store.”

“Whenever you have a minute,” she said briskly and ignored his raised eyebrow, not caring that her tone was curt.

“I’ll be in once the crew gets here and gets to work.”

“See you then.” She continued on, moving right past him and into the room she was working out of, where she shut the door and let out a sigh. Damn him for being so manly.

***

Once the men arrived and were set up, Finn decided it was time to knock on Olivia’s door.

For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what her problem was. One minute she was smiling, teasing and flirting, the next she was cool and collected, almost detached.

It wasn’t his problem though. She was a client and the client was always right.

Maybe he was just reading her wrong. Having only had about four hours of solid sleep was messing with his mind.

The second day after his shift was always the worst if he hadn’t been able to get much sleep the night he was working. Which happened to be the case. There had been three fire calls on Wednesday night. Thankfully nothing was major, but it seemed the minute he and the crew were settled for the night again, the alarms went off.

He'd gotten home Thursday morning at eight thirty after he’d picked Trey up at his parents’ and dropped him off to preschool, then undressed and crashed face down into bed.

He only allowed himself five hours of sleep after his shift; otherwise he’d never sleep later that night.

Five hours of sleep after pretty much being up over twenty-four…not good. But he was used to it and normally went to bed early later that night.

When his alarm went off before two in the afternoon, he was up and showered, ate a quick sandwich and then made it to Trey’s school.

Trey always enjoyed the early pick-ups, the two of them hanging out and running errands together, then going out to eat. Their special time together, to make up for Finn being gone overnight.

Once they got home and Trey had his bath and was in bed, Finn would normally go to bed himself. Only this time, his mind was racing with the designs for Olivia, so he sat at his desk and began to draw.

It wasn’t until he started yawning around two in the morning that he realized the night had flown by. He finished the last bit up and went to bed.

His alarm going off at six a.m. was torture, but he got up and got Trey ready and went about his day. It was him or no one. He didn’t have the luxury of rolling back over and letting someone give him a hand.

He’d arrived at the store before anyone, looked over the wood that had been delivered, satisfied it had the right amount of grain running through, and knew when they finally settled on a stain every piece was going to be stunning and unique. Just like Olivia.

Why she seemed so businesslike this morning was beyond him, but he was going to go with it.

Sometime during the night, he’d lectured himself on why he stayed away from high-maintenance women. All he had to do was look at Trey to be reminded.

The last thing he needed was that type of headache or stress, even if she was a treat to look at. Looks were always deceiving in his eyes.

He rapped his knuckles on her door and waited for her to open it. It took her longer this time and he was starting to wonder if maybe she was on the phone when she yanked it open, a blowtorch in her hand and safety goggles on her face. She even looked beautiful at that moment.

“I can come back if you’re busy.”

“I’m done.” She lifted the goggles off and laid them on the table, then set the torch next to it.

“Should you be doing that back here without any ventilation?”

“Is that the fireman in you being concerned?”

“It’s a human being concerned.”

He hoped that didn’t come out surly, but was pretty sure it did. What was her problem this morning?

“Sorry, you’re right. I would have liked some windows back here, but then it’s a security issue. Windows are easier to break into than a door. Anyway, it’s just temporary until my workroom is completed.”

“True, but you will have windows up front. Why not get a window with bars on it back here?” He paused and looked around. “It can be done. You’re in the back of the building right now, so it doesn’t have to be pretty.”

“I didn’t think of it. Then again, I didn’t think I would be working back here either. I tend to do a lot of this stuff at home, but I don’t feel right lighting a blowtorch up in Phil’s house.” She waved her hand fast. “Anyway, never mind. Designs?”

He hadn’t realized she was staying at Phil’s, but bit his tongue from asking. It wasn’t his place and she didn’t seem to be as friendly this morning.

He laid the sketchpad down. “This is what I’ve got for you.”

She moved closer and started to flip through the designs. Each setup was the same style for the most part, but the lengths were all different. The wood was curved where the glass would meet behind it, giving an illusion of hidden seams.

“This is stunning, and exactly what I envisioned. Are those my initials in the front of each piece?”

“Yeah. I can take it out. I thought of it last night.”

He wasn’t going to tell her how long it took him to find the right design for the “OH” without it looking silly or commercial. He felt the script and matching curves etched around it would give a classy look…like her.

“No, don’t. I love it. I’ve never seen it before, but I want it. It’s like a brand or logo.”

She turned to him, her eyes flashing with joy. Whatever she was feeling or holding back when he walked in was gone, and in its place was the woman from a few days before.

“I’m glad. Drew finished with all the socket holes and wires yesterday. The men are starting to throw up walls today. Once I get each piece done, Drew will come in and wire it so the lights are hidden too. That’s why I curved the wood the way I did, so you won’t see the bulbs inside shining more light in the cases. Your pieces will stand out more that way.”

“It’s perfect. Every bit of it is just perfect.”

“Do you know how dark of a stain you want to go with?” He hoped she didn’t go really dark, as it would hide the grain in the wood more than he’d prefer.

“I want to stay lighter. I don’t want anything in the store dark at all. I know darker colors tend to be more sophisticated, but I just don’t want that. I want light and welcoming.”

He nodded, glad they seemed to be on the same page. “You’ve got time for that. It will be the last thing we do.”

She flipped to another page and saw a beautiful counter, something she didn’t ask for. “What’s that?”

“Just an idea I had. I didn’t know what you were doing in terms of the register, or whatever you’ll have for when people pay. This looks more like a desk than a counter, to be honest, and matches the display cases.” He flipped the next page. “There are all sorts of compartments in the back for storage and no one will see it or realize your packaging and bags and such are in there.”

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

There was a double meaning there, but he couldn’t seem to grasp what it was. “I’ve never thought so before.”

“What’s your son’s name?” she asked suddenly.

He didn’t know where that question came from, but she was chattier now. “Trey.”

“How old is he?”

“Four.”

“Your wife is very pretty,” she said after hesitating a moment.

Was that what this was about? Did she think he’d been flirting with her—which he had—but was married? He’d be a real prick if he did that.

Then again, it wasn’t the first time a married man did something like that. The first time a man lost some brain cells around a beautiful woman. He’d seen it plenty himself, especially directed toward Trey’s mother, Becca.

“I’m not married.” He didn’t say anything more in an attempt to see where this was going.

“Your girlfriend, then.”

It had to be that. That had to be what her mood was about.

“No girlfriend either. And before you ask, my sister wouldn’t appreciate being called a baby mama, either,” he said, his lips twitching.

“Oh. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t pry. It’s none of my business.”

“No, it’s not. Just like I didn’t ask who you had dinner plans with the other night. None of my business either.”

Why he said that, he had no clue. He was sounding like he was jealous, which he wasn’t.

“What night?”

“Nothing, never mind. I need to get to work.”

He picked his pad up and walked out, wondering what the hell had come over him. It must have been the sleep deprivation.

To make matters worse, on his way back to the crew his phone rang. He pulled it out, didn’t recognize the out-of-state number, but knew who it was. It was that time of year again—Trey’s birthday had just passed and Mother’s Day was coming up.

Rather than answer, he blocked the number and continued back to work as if the last ten minutes never even happened.

He’d learn one of these days to have better taste in women.