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CHAPTER 9

CLAY

PENTHOUSE

“Where is that dumbass plumber?” I glare at Luke. He’s the best guy on my crew, one of the few I actually trust to do things right besides myself. And he’s also one of the few friends I have besides Kayleigh.

He lowers his head and lets out a muffled grunt before looking back at me, already knowing I’m in a mood. “He said he’d be here this morning. I’ll call him.”

“Yeah, you better fucking call him back. We need him here if we’re going to stay on track.” I take a deep breath and sigh. “I’m sorry, it’s not your fault. I’ve just been-”

He laughs and cuts me off. “An even bigger asshole than normal? Yeah. Why do you think the guys have had me do all the talking with you?”

I lower my eyes at him. “Have I been that bad? Jesus fuck, dude.”

He shakes his head and chuckles, patting me on the back. I hate not being in control and do everything in my power to make sure things go smooth. It’s taken me years in this job to finally accept that some people are just flakes. That’s not why I’m a particularly grumpy asshole today though. I’ve been on edge the last two weeks, ever since Lizzy stormed into and then right back out of my life in a matter of days. Thankfully, I’ve been getting closer to keeping her out of my thoughts and focus more on work, my usual distraction in life.

I look back at Luke, who already has his phone out, and pat him back on the shoulder. “Still, it’s less than an hour ’til lunch, so there’s not much morning left if he’s going to show up. We need him here today to get the plumbing turned back on so we can have it leak tested and inspected before we blow in the insulation and move on with the job.”

Thankfully, this job has gone smooth so far. Tomorrow is March first and we’re getting closer to spring. Originally, I wasn’t thrilled about gutting this place down to the studs and completely redoing it in the middle of winter. But so far, the temporary job site heaters have worked fine, we’ve had no major issues, and we’re on track to start insulating and drywalling in a few weeks once all the major mechanicals are installed, tested, and inspected.

While Luke’s on the phone with the plumber, I walk over towards the balcony where I stood that night with Lizzy. I can still remember the look in her sparkling blue eyes. Marco, Luke’s main helper, and one of the other guys are already having lunch out on the balcony. But all I can think about is talking with Lizzy at the French doors. Part of me regrets being so harsh with her, lying to her, and if I’m being honest, lying to myself and telling her we could be strangers.

What the actual fuck is wrong with me?

I told myself that I needed to keep distance from her. I was only around her for three short nights, at the bar, in the hot tub, and at dinner that last night and I could already feel myself becoming fixated on her and vulnerable in a way I don’t ever want to feel.

I look out at the slopes, trying to clear my head. Skiing used to do that for me. It used to be the safe place for me to drown everything around me out and just feel free. I lean against the railing and watch the Carpenter Express chairlift take skiers up over the main mogul course. I blew up at dinner when she teased me about not skiing, but looking at the mogul course still brings just a hint of joy even now. I watch one of the mogul skiers, likely out training for a competition, violently attack the course.

My head bobs watching them bounce cleanly through each mogul, left right, left right, left right, up until the jump in the middle of the course. That was always my favorite part. Simultaneously in control but spinning wildly in the air.

And then he bites it. His skis come off, and fly through the air when he tumbles into a yard sale.

I cringe and shudder, instinctively grabbing for my right knee, feeling that pain like it was yesterday. I feel my held breath escape when he finally stops tumbling, gets up on his knees, and taps his helmet signaling he’s ok.

I watch the next two skiers take the course, relieved that they make it through uneventfully. I do miss it , that free feeling - the one Mom taught us to chase and enjoy.

I’m snapped out of my trip down memory lane by something truly fucking ridiculous six stories below me. Coming up the drive to the valet circle outside of the Aspen Grove Club is a shiny white Bronco. To top it off, it has pink fucking rims. This is exactly the kind of prissy little tourist that would have a place here. I yell back inside, “Luke, come check this shit out.”

He walks over, leaning against the railing at my side. “Jesus, dude.” He leans out over the railing and spits. “It never ends with these people.”

I scoff, “At least they have 4x4 for the snow.”

He chuckles while we both watch. The Bronco pulls into the covered valet entrance to the building. Seriously, who the fuck would drive that thing?

A short, smoking little blonde hops out of the driver seat, tossing her keys at the valet guy who has barely made it to the side of the Bronco.

And I get my answer.

Fuck. My. Life.

I know that ponytail anywhere. I don’t even have to wait for her to turn to realize it’s Lizzy .

I thought she went home two weeks ago. I was supposed to have a break from seeing her for months until the next wedding thing for Tanner and V.

I palm my face. At least she has 4x4 and good tires and is safe. I guess she drove here all the way from Ohio in that. I hear one of the guys on the job site let out a long low whistle and I have the sudden urge to punch one of my employees.

I look back outside and watch as she walks to the main entrance of the building. God, she’s beautiful. The way her leggings are molded to her sculpted ass is unreal. I could watch her walk away from me for hours and never get tired of that sight.

I’m snapped back to reality when I hear a crash behind me and Marco yelling at someone on the other end of the penthouse. I turn and walk towards the source of the noise, already irritated that I’m going to have a new mess to clean up.

Seriously, I can’t focus around this woman. Add this to the list of reasons I need to stay away from Lizzy Frank.