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“It needs work,” I said. “But the bones are good.”

She walked slowly, running her fingers over the kitchen counter. “Yeah, a lot of work. It’ll be expensive. You ever think about using recycled materials?”

I frowned. “Recycled?”

“Yeah,” she said, moving into the living room. “Like reclaimed wood, repurposed tile. You can cut down your supply costs and still keep the design sleek and modern.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I didn’t know that was even an option.”

She smiled now. “There’s a place about two hours from here that sells everything from lighting fixtures to hardwood flooring. Some of it’s vintage. Way better than what you get at Home Depot.”

I nodded slowly, impressed. “I didn’t know that. You got good ideas.”

She shrugged, but I could tell she liked the compliment.

“I need you on my team,” I said. “You’re hired.”

She froze like she didn’t know if I was joking. “What?”

“You said you need a job. I have one for you,” I said. “You know your shit.”

Her smile curled her lips slowly. “I wasn’t planning on getting a job today.”

“Well,” I said, locking eyes with her, “you shouldn’t be so helpful then, beauty.”

She looked away, but not before I saw her blush.

We kept moving through the house, her steps light, her fingers trailing over old wood and pointing out things that needed to be fixed or thrown away.

She turned the corner going into the master bedroom too fast and caught her foot on a lifted floorboard.

“Shit—” she yelped.

I caught her before she could fall. One hand wrapped around her waist, the other on her back..

I pulled her against me, tight.

She gasped, both hands gripping my shirt, eyes locked on mine like she couldn’t decide if she wanted to be embarrassed or breathless.

Her chest rose against mine. Fast.

I didn’t let go. Didn’t even blink.

I wanted to bite her bottom lip.

“You good?” I asked, voice low, not moving an inch.

She nodded too quickly.

I dipped my head, not close enough to kiss her—yet—but close enough to make her feel like I would. I wanted to witness her reaction up close. “You gotta watch your step, sweetheart. But if you fall, fall into me. I’ll catch you every time.”

It was corny, but she didn’t pull back.

And I still didn’t let go.

Her lips parted. Her fingers gripped my shirt tighter. She looked up at me like she wanted to say something smart—but didn’t have the compacity.

I was just about to kiss her. Give in to what we both knew was coming.