Bentley frowned. “Something bothering you, Jordan?”
Jordan was quiet as he mulled over his thoughts. It was something I liked about him. He never rushed with an important decision, and he always thought every angle through completely.
“I met with the owners of both companies. Able Construction was slightly higher in the bids, but we’ve used them before and they were good. Not great, but good. This new company, WIN Construction, opened an office here two years ago. Their first place was out west, and all the reports I received had nothing but good things to say…” His voice trailed off, and he rubbed a finger across his chin.
“But?” Bentley prompted.
Jordan shrugged. “But, nothing. I met with the owner, John, and his foreman, Nolan. This is their specialty—providing crews. In and out—all the work, none of the end responsibility. They said all the right things and put it in writing to back it up. If I’m being honest, I think perhaps it was simply a personal thing on my end. I didn’t really like either of them, especially the foreman, much. I got the feeling he was going to be difficult to keep in line. But again, I could be wrong.” He lifted one shoulder. “Not that it should matter. I can work with them, and I did like some of their ideas.”
“What didn’t you like about the foreman?” I asked. Jordan was insightful and smart. If there was something off about this guy, I trusted Jordan.
He thought about my question. “That’s the thing. I have no idea. Maybe his arrogance or his over-the-top bluntness. Or maybe,” he added, “it was my mood that day. The bottom line is, his crew is the right size, the guarantees for deadlines are backed up with penalties John has written himself, the references are good, so there is no reason not to use them.” He smirked. “We won’t be going out for beers after work, but I have you for that anyway, Van. You’ll be the one dealing with Nolan way more than I will be. You too, Liv.”
I chuckled.
“Nolan knew your work, Liv. He mentioned the magazine spread you were featured in a few months ago.”
“Arrogant, but he has good taste,” I teased.
Liv rolled her eyes.
Maddox spoke. “The numbers are solid. Actually better than Able, the way they outlined the various aspects. I checked the references too. All came back positive.”
“Are you sure you can work with him, Jordan?”
“Yeah. As I said, it may have been my mood that day. I want the best for this building, and I think they might be it. The other projects they have done have certainly been successful.”
Bentley nodded. “Okay, I guess we’ll meet with him and finalize a deal.” He stood. “Once that’s done, you, Jordan, and Liv can have a meeting and start the final planning stages.”
“Sounds good.”
“You are going to be very busy for the next while,” Bentley stated.
“Try to hold back from adding to that, okay?” I asked with a laugh.
He chuckled. “I think a certain little miss is going to keep me busy for a while, so you’re safe.”
“Good.”
We moved to our own offices, Jordan stopping first to grab a thermos of coffee from the main break room. His addiction to caffeine was scary—far worse than mine. When I had teased him about it, he only grinned.
“Even my doctor gave up. I have cut back over the years, but it is really my only vice. My wife used to tease me about it all the time.” He sat back, contemplative. “It was one of the things I missed about her the most when she passed. The last thing she did every night was set up the coffeemaker, so it was ready when I got up. She made the best damn coffee I ever tasted.” A sad look passed over his face. “Mornings were the hardest part of the day for me for the longest time. She wasn’t beside me when I woke up, and there was no coffee to share with her.”
It was rare Jordan got personal.
“I’m sorry,” I offered.
He nodded. “I learned to live again. Took a long time—but thanks to my kids and grandkids, I kept going and life was okay. Not the way it was, but okay.” He glanced around. “This place helped. The people. The routine. And Sandy’s coffee. Next to Anna’s, it’s the best.” A glimmer of a smile crossed his face. “Next to Anna, she’s the best.”
I left that remark alone. I had wondered more than once if Jordan felt something for Sandy. His gaze followed her around, his attention mainly on her in meetings. He was always the first to offer her a hand, or to help if she needed it. When her husband died, he had been a great friend to her, but I had a sense his feelings had grown and changed. How she felt, I had no idea, since she was as intensely private as Jordan. And I knew better than to ask him. When he was ready, he would talk to me. We respected and knew each other enough to know when the time was right to confide in one another.
I hadn’t even sat down when Liv came into the office. She was smiling, her hands empty.
“No decoy?” I asked with a chuckle.
“Figured there was no point.”
I nodded in agreement. I had told her what Jordan said and assured her he would be discreet. She knew and trusted him to know he would keep his word, although she was insistent we still keep our relationship private.
She approached my desk and sat down. She looked rested today and relaxed. She leaned forward, her hair slipping over her shoulders. I resisted the urge to hunch closer and wrap her hair in my hands and kiss her. Hard. Instead, I winked.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Her smile lit her face. While I hated the fact that being called beautiful was something new to her, I loved the idea of how much it pleased her. How much I pleased her.
“Hey yourself,” she replied.
“Sleep well?”
“Very. I woke up about five, still in Sammy’s bed. I’m sorry about falling asleep.”
“Not an issue. I enjoyed my time with Elly.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed. “I’m sure ‘enjoyed’ is a strong word. No doubt she interrogated you endlessly.”
I lifted one shoulder. “Once I promised to have copies of the last four years’ tax forms and bank statements to her by tomorrow, she eased up.”
Liv gaped and I chuckled.
“She was fine, Liv. She asked some questions. I answered. I had her tell me some funny stories of you growing up, so I have some ammunition, and we’re all good.”
She joined in my amusement, then sighed. “Well, you must have charmed her too. She likes you.”
“How can you tell?”
“She called me before the meeting to tell me she and her best friend Phyllis have decided to take their granddaughters to Great Wolf Lodge”—her eyes widened dramatically—"for the weekend.”
The meaning of her words sunk in. “You mean I get you all weekend?”
“If you want me.”
I leaned closer. “Let me be clear. I want you. I want you at my place all weekend.”
“Your place?”
My gaze skittered to the door. The hall was empty—the crews out working, Jordan still getting coffee and no doubt talking to Sandy. I rose over the desk and wrapped my hand around Liv’s neck, pulling her close. Her scent drifted around me—soft, warm, and inviting. Our eyes locked.