Page 3 of I Choose You (Wilder #2)

My jaw clenched, my teeth nearly cracking with the force.

“I know that. That’s why David chose me.

I don’t want some ‘cyber building,’ whatever the hell that means, in place of the Delano Library either.

I’ll construct it to the plans you’ve provided, and I’ll outfit it with original elements or the best replicas I can find. No construction babysitter required.”

“Nonnegotiable,” Frank said, his smile almost feral as he repeated my words back to me. “It’s part of the funding package.”

“And no one is going to be babysitting your work, Reid,” David said. “This is just someone to make sure we get everything right on the design side, not the construction side.”

“That’s the point though. My workmanship includes design. I’m not just a laborer, and you know that. ”

It didn’t matter what I said. Frank was right—this was a nonnegotiable on their side. They wouldn’t have the funds to take on a project like this if they didn’t hire this designer, which meant I wouldn’t have the opportunity to show this town the quality of craftsmanship I was capable of.

Now that I’d agreed to take it on, I really wanted this job. Walking away wasn’t going to happen.

Frank gave me the woman’s number to coordinate plans. After putting it off for a few days, I pulled up her contact in my phone and called her.

No answer.

That was fine. Maybe she would be unreliable or, better yet, uninterested. I could only hope.

A minute later, my phone rang. Claire DeLuca lit up my screen. Ugh. Here we go.

“Hi, this is Claire. I think I just missed a call from this number?” Claire said, sounding way too perky. Please don’t be one of those sunshine and rainbows kind of people.

“Hey. My name is Reid Wilder. I’m the contractor for the Delano Library project.

I was given your name and number to coordinate some historical details,” I started.

“I’ve looked over the plans and have some ideas on how to keep this project on track, under budget, and, most importantly, accurate to the Gilded Age time period.

Why don’t I send over the details, and you can sign off on them from wherever you are.

No reason to come all the way out to Massachusetts. Technology, right?”

I had my fingers crossed that she would accept my offer to just sign off on everything now. If I could keep some nerdy history major off my jobsite, I would.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m actually in Connecticut. Probably only a three-hour drive away.”

Fuck. Of course she was relatively local.

“Still. It would save you from having to waste time here when you can be working on another project.” I was trying here. Take me up on my offer, Claire. It would be better for both of us. Specifically me, but I could spin this to work for her too.

“I’m starting to get the feeling you might not want me there,” she laughed.

Good. Then stay in Connecticut and off my jobsite.

“Listen. I’m going to be straight with you.

I don’t need a babysitter. I don’t need someone looking over my shoulder telling me how to do my job.

I’m sure you’ve worked with contractors before that needed the guidance, but that’s not me.

I’m coming on board here to manage this project in its entirety, from the structural level to the most intricate details.

I’ve got it covered, and I don’t need someone stepping on my toes along the way. ”

Silence.

I checked my phone to see if the call was still connected. It was.

After another beat, Claire responded, “Wow. That was more aggressive than I expected. I’m not sure where you got the idea that I would be stepping on your toes regarding the actual construction, but I can assure you I will not.

My expertise is in historical restoration and design—that’s what my degree is in.

” Called it. “That’s where I will come in.

I plan on being there from the beginning of the project through its completion and advising along the way.

I can’t come into the build too late, otherwise you may have made a call to have a completely wrong flooring installed, or the windows are too modern, or the stairs are utilitarian instead of gothic.

” She paused and took a breath. “I’m sorry you’re upset by my involvement, but this is a big deal for me, and I plan on doing my job to the best of my ability. ”

This woman was absolutely going to come in and fuck up my plans. I could see it already. “I start the demo on the Monday after next,” I gritted out.

“Excellent,” she said cheerfully. “I’m glad we’ve had a chance to talk that out. I think we’re going to have a great relationship throughout this project. I look forward to working with you.”

I couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic. I had to assume she was, although she sounded completely sincere. No one was that nice after they just got laid into and told they weren’t wanted or needed here.

After that call, I felt like I needed a drink.

I grabbed my sweatshirt and my keys to head to Harpoon’s Tavern.

As a bachelor living on his own, I tended to hit up one of the restaurants in town for dinner most nights.

Harpoon’s was a favorite. Relaxed atmosphere.

The bar was great for eating alone. And Ronnie, the bartender, was funny and nice in a take-no-shit kind of way.

A draft beer and chicken wings were calling my name.