Page 31 of Structure of Love

Zar: I see we have reached bragging stage of dating

Gage: *shares another picture*

Asher: I’m torn between being happy he’s happy and smacking him

Riggs: Where are you anyway? You’re not in the office

Gage: lunch date

Riggs: okay now I’m just jealous as hell you got food AND nookie

Gage: no nookie but make-out session yes

Asher: wait that means you went on two dates and didn’t get naked!

Asher: dammit Gage you’re doing this just to thwart me!

Gage: I do live to thwart you. It sparks joy

10

Gage

Monday came all too soon. I didn’t want it to, not after two amazing dates with Logan. I’d rather have gone on another date with him than attended the standard Monday meeting.

My mind kept flitting back to the last kiss we’d shared. Damn, I loved kissing that man. The taste of him, the way he practically purred, it lingered on my skin. There was something inherently delightful about kissing when your partner was so obviously enjoying it.

I might have regretted, a little, not sucking Logan off after our last date. He’d made it quite difficult for me to keep my hands to myself. I kept up my mantra in my head, because I truly wanted an emotional connection established before we pushed anything further. Goddamn, that sexy ass man did not make it easy.

“—in wrap-up stage,” Riggs said with authority, flicking a page on his ever-present tablet. “I think the Casteo house will be finished in two weeks. Asher?”

“Yup, mostly on my end now, although I have a checklist for Cohen which needs to be done.”

I zoned out again when I realized none of this had anything to do with me. I got to see Logan again tonight, which hadn’t made Riggs happy, as I was skipping DnD, but priorities. My attention kept going back to Logan and the date we’d planned. Would it be too soon to jump him?

Ugh, probably. I did not like the whole being-a-responsible-adult thing I’d saddled myself with. Couldn’t I be completely irresponsible for a minute? Just so I could get the man naked and in bed with me?

No, I couldn’t risk it. I did not want to start us off on the wrong foot, especially now, when things were going oh so well.

I was doodling on my iPad when I heard certain key words come out of Shanice’s mouth.

“—framers’ boss is asking if they can come in and redo the work instead of paying us. I told him I’d get back to him, but I have a gut feeling you guys will say no.”

Sounded like I needed to pay attention. I looked up, already shaking my head. “He signed off on the job as being done before I went to go take a look, so no, I don’t trust this man. He’s trying to wiggle free, is all.”

“That’s what I thought you’d say.” Shanice pursed her lips and she made a note. How, I did not know, as her fingernails were a good two inches long. How did women work with those nails? “I don’t trust him either, so I’ll send a follow-up message saying he’s got until end of Friday to pay us. After that, I take him to small claims court.”

Riggs moved the meeting along, shoving his glasses up a little farther on his nose as he spoke. “Just keep me updated. I have a new crew scheduled to come in, rip everything out, and rebuild the frame on Thursday. It has delayed the project a little, but not too bad, and I think we’ll still be done in October. Just not the first week of October. Gage, your next project is the Lafferty home.”

I nodded, having anticipated he’d bring up the project. “I go there later today. The house is very old and has gone through at least three documented renovations, so I’m expecting all sorts of fun surprises. Cohen’s coming with me to do an inspection, so we’ll know what we’re diving into.”

Asher lifted a hand. “Did they decide if they’re doing a full reno or a two-stage one?”

“Full reno,” Riggs answered. “Mr. Lafferty came into some inheritance this month and is choosing to get the whole house done rather than wait.”

The house in question was the family home, a very old Italianate house from 1842, with an addition that had been added on to the back for a full-sized kitchen. It had the heavy cornice work and big brackets so well known for the style, still intact. The family had done a good job keeping up with repairs. Some parts of the roof needed an overhaul—not unusual with roofs of that style—and some woodwork on the trim needed to happen because of all the dry rot.

Still, the house was now basically a hundred and eighty years old. Who knew what all was hidden in the walls.