Page 17 of The Handyman

I nodded in satisfaction.

No doubt they’d heard my shot, but a crispy fifty would last them a week— two, if they stretched it.

Turning to walk away, I reached to ruffle my hair with both my hands and take a huge breath of the crisp air. Today was warm for late January and I hugged my head between my arms as I walked. I’d taken the bus to one of its last stops about six blocks away, but today was a good day for a walk.

“I’m kinda hungry,” mumbling to myself, my lips quirked downward as I debated calling Riley. I had turned off my primary cell phone, and it had to stay that way until I got home, but…would she want to see me after what I’d said? “I guess the only way to know is to ask.”

My mom always said that there was no use wondering when the truth was right in front of me. All I needed was the courage to ask questions when I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know the answer. She spoke from experience, of course— all those questions she’d regretted not asking.Are you okay? Are you unhappy here? Do you want to move? What can I do to help?

I wasn’t bitter that my mom had never asked me those things, but I didn’t want to make the same mistake. Riley didn’t deserve doubt. She was trying and that was more than many others could say.

I’ll ask her to dinner when I get back around. I already told her I would be gone late, so there’s no point in creating a circumstance where I have to lie to her.Okay, maybe that’s harsh.There was nothing to gain by telling Riley the specifics of my job, and she didn’t seem keen on prying answers from me. I’d specifically explained my work the way I had because she could interpret it any way she wanted without my input. Did I work an office job that required me to travel? Was I a technician of some sort? Or were there just trash jobs that got stuck on me because I was capable and immediately available?

But those were all questions Riley wouldn’t ask because she didn’t care. We weren’t at that stage.Yet.

We’ll get there, though. At least I had some time to think of a way to tackle this bullshit. If Vanessa did get Riley a job, it’d be with one of the more legitimate fronts. I wouldn’t have to worry about Riley finding out by accident that being a handyman meant more than just fixing the power buffer or a leaky faucet. Which I knew how to do, of course. After all, the best lies were the ones closest to the truth.

13

Riley

Bopping my head to the beat flowing through my headphones, I puffed out my lips in thought as I scanned the meat section. There wasn’t anything that just jumped out at me as delicious. All the steaks just looked like steaks, and I couldn’t even think up something to make with shaved beef in this moment.

I should’ve planned before going to the grocery store. At least, I would have something to look forward to cooking when I got home.The thought tugged down my lips and I rocked back on my heels. Fishing my phone out of my coat pocket, my thumb hovered over Reece’s text thread for a brief second. It was nearly 3am, but I had nothing to lose by not texting him.Do you want to come over for a super late dinner? What do you like?’

Staring through my phone screen, I found myself wishing that I had offered something other than food. That was so boring! There was nothing to do but eat, and then say goodbye. And that was based entirely on the assumption that Reece would come to my apartment in the first place.

“What a coincidence. . .”

I gasped as a strong, lean arm wrapped around my waist. Deft fingers pulled out my earbud, and Reece’s strong, luscious timbre steamrolled through my skull. “I was going to ask you the same thing, Riley.”

“Oh— what are you doing here?” My nipples tightened when Reece kissed my cheek, his fingertips teasing my breasts as he pulled back. We’d been playing this game for weeks now, but I had only seen him that one time at Black Cat. He and I were supposed to meet up again, but he had a last-minute meeting that took him out of the city.

He looks so good. Reece’s stubble was starting to get noticeably long. He couldn’t power a beard in two days or less, but it’d obviously been a week or so since he shaved. His dark eyes danced with merriment, a slight smile playing on his lips as he preened, fully aware I was checking him out.

His fingertips touched the back of my hand. “I’ve been having this craving, but I’m not sure for what. Everything just seems unappealing. It’s been going on for days, now.”

My brows rose as I nodded in understanding.

Reece tangled his fingers in mine to shoot me a sexy, suggestive look. “I got a projector at my place, if you wanted to have a movie night?”

“I would’ve worn my sexy panties. I’d love to come over.” Slithering my arm around his back, I smiled wide when his eyes narrowed slightly. “So, how was your meeting?”

“It was bullshit. Vanessa sent my ass all the way upstate, so I could get plopped in the middle of a conversation about proper use of company property and you know,don’tdo stupid shit like watch porn at work or take out equipment and lose it. She’s in the middle of this internal investigation, so she can’t leave, but… speaking of Vanessa, I asked her about any positions available, and she said to send in your resume.”

“Really? Thank you! I have a thumb drive in my car.” My smile widened until my cheeks ached and flamed while my heart thundered as excitement raced through my veins. Squeezing his hand, I rested my head on his shoulder.“ Thank you, Reece. I appreciate it.”

Reece smirked against my crown. “You still have to interview, of course. There’s no point in upselling you to Vanessa. She’s a bitch to work under and I’m just contracted in. Even only reporting to her is more than enough for me. So, what about you, Riley? You texted me at the conference that you really did go to a spa with your neighbor. How’d that go?”

Humming softly, my smile softened at the memories; Hannah and I hadn’t beenfriends, but she was as close as I had. We’d gotten pedicures and face masks, nothing too outrageous, but it’d be a lot of fun. “It was really nice. Turns out, we have a lot in common, actually. Plus, it was nice to relax. I really needed it. I never realized how tense I’ve been since. . .” Trailing off as we started down the meat section, I inhaled deeply through my nose and lifted my head. “I’m doing okay, though. I haven’t seen Brandon and I blocked my mom on everything I could think of, so she’s not harassing me anymore. So, yeah. I’m okay.”

“Good. I’m proud of you. What about dinner, now? I’ve been thinking…a roast.”

Flames licked up my neck when Reece ducked to whisper in my ear.

He groaned softly. “If things went my way at Black Cat, maybe, I could’ve already tasted it.”

“I do owe you one.” His hand untangled from mine at my admission, and I gasped when Reece grabbed my ass and squeezed. Everything around me disappeared when I glanced up, his eyes capturing mine to steel. “I don’t know if we can get a room on such short notice, though.”