Page 11 of Tempting Me (The Asher Family #3)

CHAPTER NINE

SHAY

Luca didn’t show up last night. I was prepared to give him crap for mentioning my girls’ night, but I can’t do that if he isn’t present.

I was half tempted to go search for him, but if anyone were to see me, it would have raised more questions than I need right now. I also thought about calling Grace to have her go check it out, but that seemed a bit too stalkerish for my liking.

So I just sat and stewed all night long.

I know I can be a lot to handle sometimes, but am I really so bad that I ran another contractor off?

I close the cash register drawer and hand the two customers in front of me their change.

Maybe I should open an ice-only shop. That seems to be the moneymaker these days. Then again, if I had a full dining room, maybe people would stick around to eat.

As soon as I’m alone again, sit at the bar top and open my computer.

With the progress Luca and I made after just a handful of nights, I may have gotten a little excited and started ordering the decor I wanted.

I gave myself a specific budget for it, and I can’t wait to start putting this place together again.

I really do think the private areas in the dining section will be great for bigger parties, and I want each one to have a theme.

Well, I hope they get to have a theme anyway. If Luca doesn't come back, I'm screwed. That's it. I can't afford to waste more time looking for someone new.

I groan to no one.

I could always start watching YouTube videos and learn how to build a wall myself. I bet Grace would help me if I absolutely needed her.

With another deep breath, I scrub my hands over my face.

I can’t give up.

I’ve come too far.

Still, I feel like there is so much against me right now. I’m the only one who sees what this place could be again and being the only one who believes in myself is exhausting. Luca was starting to make me feel like I wasn’t alone in this anymore, but so much for that.

As if the universe wants to remind me of this, my phone rings with my brother's face appearing on the screen.

“Leo, I thought you only called me at night when you couldn't sleep?”

“Yeah, well, I thought I’d surprise you with a call during the day when you might be more willing to talk.”

“I’m always willing to talk.”

I don’t like the direction his conversation is headed .

“Mom and Dad are talking about reaching out to Linc again when they get back.”

“What?” I practically yell into the phone as I stand and start to pace.

Again. One call to him is one thing, but multiple?

Do I even still have a chance?

“The summer isn’t over yet.”

“No, but they must have someone keeping an eye on you, because word is, your contractor bailed and now the renovations are halted. Selling that place is going to be even harder now that it’s half finished.”

“It’s … I have a new contractor, and we just got started this week. Let the word get around about that.”

But not too much.

Shit.

“Who is it?”

My frustration is so heavy right now that a part of me almost blurts out that it’s Luca, but the other half of me knows admitting that would be more fuel to their current decision.

“Another out-of-state guy,” I say instead.

Defeat runs through my entire body quickly.

I’m a grown woman and shouldn't need to lie, but until this place is legally in my name, I can’t afford to tell them the truth.

“All right, well, I'll pass the message on. I can’t promise it will change their minds though.”

“No, but maybe they'll appreciate how proactive I'm being.”

Just then, two guys who look to be in their twenties walk in through the back door.

Both are in cutoff shirts, board shorts, and flip-flops.

Sure, they look lake ready, but from the way they walk and the way they look at me, I know they aren’t locals.

I didn’t even notice them pull up, but they are staring at me as if my lack of greeting is insulting.

Which, to be fair, is not the image I want this place to have.

“I have to go. Give everyone my love,” I tell Leo quickly and hang up.

“Hi, there. What can I do for you?” I ask, moving around to the employee side of the bar top.

The man with dark hair grins as I speak, not answering my question, but he does stop at the bar on the other side of me. He leans on his forearms, his eyes on me the entire time.

Okay, creeper.

I glance at his buddy, who just chuckles and heads for the ice cooler. He pulls out two small bags. Since guy number one isn’t going to speak, I ring them up.

“Is that all?”

Guy number one takes a five from his back pocket and hands it to me. I reach for it, but he doesn’t let go.

“And your phone number,” he says with a wink.

Oh, for fuck’s sake. Can’t a girl just go to work and that be that?

“Sorry, not today.”

“So if I come back tomorrow?”

I hand him back his change.

“It’ll be a no then, too. Have a good day, and come back if you need anything else.”

I move as if I'm busier than ever and have other places to be, but this one is relentless.

“Oh, come on. What does a guy gotta do to get your number?”

Shit .

I thought I’d be able to walk out of the room before we got to this point, but it seems I wasn’t fast enough.

The Marina has been through a lot over the years, and one might think I have a long list of things that bother or annoy me, but despite the troubles in the past, the only thing I can’t stand about this place is the number of men who come in here and think a small conversation ends with them getting my number.

It’s as if they don’t understand that this is my job—it helps me to be kind to all customers.

It by no means should be interpreted that I’m flirting.

Alas, here we are.

I turn slowly to find guy number one’s eyes on my ass.

He looks up and licks his lip, then nods.

“You gonna give it to me or what?”

Oh, hell no.

“Dude”—his friend swats his shoulder—“Let’s go. This place is like half finished, and I feel like I’m breathing in sawdust just standing here.”

Oh, sure, add salt to the wound of already being insulted by the fact that this man in front of me thinks he stands a chance. Now I have to be reminded that Luca didn’t show up last night.

“Let me get this hottie's number first.”

There is no way in hell I’m giving this man my number. “You know,” I start, but then the main door opens and Luca strides in as if being here in broad daylight is the most normal thing in the world.

This day just keeps getting better and better.

How dare he show up here right now.

“Your number. Come on. ”

I don't know who I dislike more right now, but screw both of these men.

My lips part to tell the guy in front of me to bug off—fuck off might be a little harsh for a customer—but then a better idea forms.

“Let me write it down,” I tell him.

I scribble out a number I’ve known by heart for as long as I can remember and say, “It’s best if you text me. And to be honest, I need details. If you want to take me out, I need to know when, where, for how long, and what the ending kiss could be like. Everything. In a text, please.”

I hand him the number and wink.

His smile is so big, I almost feel bad.

“Easy,” he says with a smirk and then walks off.

Sure was.

Feeling slightly immature but also pretty damn good about the choice I just made, I turn for the dining area, which is blocked off by construction plastic.

I whip the plastic back and waste no time scowling at Luca as he follows me.

Quietly, I snap, “What are you doing here? Are you insane?”

He doesn’t even bother looking over his shoulder as he measures the longest wall.

“I wanted to double-check this measurement. I think we could put in another window here, and it would bring in more natural light, giving a nice view of the east side of the lake.”

“Maybe if you would have showed up last night, you could have gotten them hung. Now go. I told you I didn’t want you here during the day. ”

“Hey, I’m sorry about last night, okay. I got caught up, then I fell asleep. Trust me. I’m not happy about it either.”

“Sure. Whatever. This is my job, Luca, and if you can’t hold up your end of the deal, then I won’t either.”

He huffs.

“What have you told Grace by now anyway? You know, when you’re at girls’ night.”

I yank the tape measure from his hand and point a hard finger at him. Ignoring his jab about girls' night, I say, “Up until last night, I said you were a hard worker. I’ll probably say something else now.”

“I am, and shit, Shay, really? No woman is going to fall for a man because of his hard-working traits. What if she portrays that as I’m too invested in my job to be in a relationship or something?”

I’m too stunned to even have a witty comeback.

Being a hard worker is a great trait. Having a partner who is motivated to do their best is sexy, but yeah, like hell I'm going to share that with him.

“Whatever. Like I said, if you don't hold up your end of the deal, I won't either.”

“I’ll work double time tonight to make up for it.” His head hangs low as he speaks. He appears remorseful, but I’m too angry to care right now.

“Nope.”

“What? You’re firing me?”

“Nope. It just so happens that you get two nights off now, because I have a new date tonight and won’t be here. Therefore, you do not need to be here.”

The words are out of my mouth before I can think. I can’t afford not to get things done two nights in a row .

Dammit, brain. Just let him win once in a while if it means you get this marina done.

He scoffs. “A date. With who?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“It’s a little my business since you’re canceling tonight for this date.”

I roll my eyes. “You don’t know him.”

“Why not?”

“He lives in Wind Valley, and that’s where the date is.”

Ha. Take that one, Luca Asher.

Now, not only will I not have to think of a name, I won’t even have to go out. And another plus—I can hide in my house all night.

A night off.

Hmm, I really nailed this one. This is better than me giving that guy Luca’s number.