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Her eyes traveled over the job site, all my guys back to work with a suit on site. “You have quite the team here, Tyler.”
“I do,” I agreed. I was happy with everyone and their work. “I think Blue Bird will be pleased with the build when it’s all said and done.”
“That’s why we hired Crenshaw,” she said. “James’s reputation is stellar. Getting you with the deal was just a perk.” She winked.
I studied her for a moment. This was a woman who was used to getting what she wanted, and she had no qualms doing so by any means necessary. That much was apparent from what she’d told Henrietta. I tried not to be annoyed that her lie had nearly cost me an incredible woman.
“Since I’m in town, I was wondering if you might want to get lunch, professionally speaking, and talk over the project?”
I was on a tight rope; I could feel it. If I said no, I’d offend someone very important to Crenshaw Construction. But if I said yes, I’d risk her twisting more words to Henrietta. But at this point, Henrietta had to know I wasn’t interested in Janessa, so I nodded and said, “Sure. Where would you like to go?”
She rattled off the name of a restaurant I didn’t recognize and said, “I’ll be back at noon to pick you up.”
I nodded. “See you then.”
Giving me a wicked grin, she spun on her heels and turned to walk away. Shaking my head, I walked up to the site where they were starting to pour concrete. This was going to be a long day.
* * *
Janessa was backat twelve o’clock on the dot, just as she’d promised, and there was nothing I could do to worm my way out of it. So I washed my hands in the on-site bathroom, threw on a polo I kept in the office, and followed her to her car.
It was one of those small, sleek things that made me feel like I was riding in a clown car. I reached for the button and pushed my chair back so my knees wouldn’t be knocking the dash as she whipped out of the parking lot.
“How was your morning?” she asked.
“Good, and yours?”
“Learned something new about Henrietta. Turns out she’s been fronting rent for people at the beginning of the month.”
“She pays their rent?” I asked.
Janessa nodded. “And then they’ll pay her on the fifth or sixth when their check comes in.”
My eyebrows rose. “For how many people?”
“A couple every month as far as I can tell.” She shook her head as if Hen’s generosity was unbelievable. Or stupid. “Her money, though.”
“Why not move the rent payment back for those renters if it’s the same people every month?” I asked.
“Makes accounting’s job harder, and they have enough on their plate as it is,” Janessa said, whipping around another corner.
Thankfully, I wasn’t driving, because that news about Hen knocked me back. Even though she was saving for her grandma and living frugally herself... she was still helping how she could. The charitable giving part of Gage’s business should take notes from her.
“Here we are,” Janessa said. She pulled up along a restaurant with big glass windows overlooking a downtown park, then let the valet open her door.
I got out on my side and walked to the restaurant with Janessa at my side. “Are you sure I’m not underdressed for this place?”
She studied me for a moment. “Maybe.”
With all that reassurance, I felt like I was a socially awkward child all over again. We walked inside, and I certainly was not dressed fine. I was surprised they didn’t kick me back by the dumpster to be rid of me. The hostess stared me down, the server stayed as far away from me as possible, and they sat us at the worst table, way back by the kitchen where basically no one could see us except staff.
Which, unfortunately, gave Janessa an excuse. “I’m going to sit by you so I can stay out of the way,” she said, getting up and moving her chair. Right. By. Mine.
Her perfume, almost clinically strong, wafted over me, and my stomach turned at the scent combined with all the seasonings from the kitchen.
“Tell me, Tyler, how are you liking California?”
My mind immediately went to Henrietta. “It’s better than I expected.” In every possible way.