“All of these old townhouses have issues. Honestly, Violet, it looks like most of yours are cosmetic, although you might want to consider replacing some of your copper pipes with PVC, and that would help with rust stains. You also might want to consider replacing your windows.”
Her nose scrunched as she nodded. “We discovered as soon as the wind began to blow that the cold would seep through the spaces around the windows.”
They were now much closer, and she noticed his eyes had flecks of gold. He didn’t seem as though he was in a hurry to leave, and she didn’t want him to. His eyes were mesmerizing, but it was his lips that now held her attention. Strong but full. The kind of lips on a man that made a woman think about kissing. What would he feel like? What would he taste like? He leaned a little closer and his gaze focused on her lips as well, his pupils dilating. If she just lifted a little onto her toes—
He sucked in a quick breath and leaned back, keeping his hand connected to hers but moving his lips away. She felt the loss and hadn’t even tasted him yet. Yet? Would there be another chance?
Finding her breath rushing from her lungs, she breathed, “Would you like something to drink?”
He glanced toward the counter where the plastic container rested near their hands. “You need to heat the dinner that my babcia sent over. I’ll get out of your way.”
“You’re not in my way, Ben. I’ll just heat it in the microwave, but I’ve got some wine or beer if you’d like.”
He gave her hand a little squeeze, nodded, and smiled. “Beer would be good.”
She felt his smile pierce inside and returned it with one of her own. Moving toward the refrigerator, she hated that the movement took her hand away from his. She retrieved a beer for him and a wine bottle. He reached out to take the wine bottle and glanced around, his gaze landing on a clean wine glass resting on the dryer rack next to the sink. He poured while she nuked the casserole Anna had sent over. She knew she should invite him to sit at the dining room table, but that would mean competing with the sound of the TV.
“You should get off your feet,” he said, reaching out to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.
The simple gesture had such an intimate feel, and she wanted to turn her cheek into his palm. Instead, she turned and walked into the dining room, placing her plate and glass onto the table, and waited until he sat as well. The TV clicked off, and the sound of whispering came from the living room. Looking over her shoulder, she caught a glimpse of the kids climbing off the sofa.
“Mom, we’re tired and going on up,” Lily announced, running in to offer a hug.
“Oh… okay,” she barely managed to get out before Charlie followed suit. As Charlie’s arms surrounded her, she watched as Lily moved to Ben, offering him a hug as well. She was shocked when Charlie followed his sister’s lead and hugged Ben, too.
“Ben?” Charlie began. “You’ll keep Bounder, right? He’ll be able to watch over the yard tonight to keep the bad men away?”
She caught Ben’s gaze over Charlie’s head, her concern palpable. Looking back down at Charlie, he nodded. “Yep. Bounder will stay in the house so he can watch over both our yards.”
The little boy breathed a huge sigh of relief before turning and running up the stairs after Lily.
“Are you okay?” Ben asked, drawing her attention back to him.
“Well, the kids are never bad about bedtime, but for them to turn off the TV without being asked and get ready for bed without a bit of nagging is a surprise. And as far as Charlie goes, I’ll have him wake me up when he has nightmares.”
“It seems like having the dog around might help with that.”
She nodded her agreement before spooning into her casserole. The explosion of flavors hit her tongue. “Oh, this is amazing. I was really hungry.”
His brow furrowed. “You didn’t have a chance to eat even though you worked late?”
She took a sip of wine and said, “Well, I could have, but let’s just say that I didn’t want to spend the money or owe my boss any favors.”
He reared back in his chair, his gaze now narrowed. “What kind of favors?”
She waved her hand dismissively. “Just the same problem that many people have, especially women with a boss that doesn’t like to be turned down.”
“What the fuck—uh… heck, Violet?”
Licking her lips, she shrugged. “It’s a small company. No HR. No managers. Just a boss who runs things the way he wants.”
“Can you find another job?”
“Soon.” Seeing his quizzical expression, she explained, “I’m almost finished with my degree. I have finals in another week, and then I can look for a new job.”
“Was your boss always like that?”
“No. I was hired by his uncle right before Lily was born. He was a wonderful boss and took care of me. I was so lucky to have found a job with good insurance.”
“And now?”
“Now, he’s gone, and his nephew is the boss. He’s expressed interest in me and has made my job mostly reception instead of bookkeeping. Unless, like tonight, he needs my help.” She sighed heavily. “But within a few weeks, I should be able to put in for a better job.”
“What are you looking for?”
She leaned back in her chair, loving the easy way she and Ben could converse. It had been a long time since someone took an interest in what she wanted. “I’d love to be an office manager as well as doing bookkeeping. I can still do bookkeeping but would like more managerial responsibilities.”
“With a big company?”
“Only if I had to go with a larger company. I really like the idea of a smaller business where I can get to know the employees. Not be treated like a number.” They were quiet for a moment as he sipped his beer and she finished her dinner. Looking up, she added, “I suppose you think I should tell my boss to go stuff himself and quit immediately.”
Ben shook his head with vigor. “No, I don’t. I hate like hell you have to deal with that boss, but I understand that finding a new job is tough.”
“Having two kids, I need the insurance. That’s the only reason I’ve stuck it out so long. The benefits were necessary, especially after Matt died.”
Silence filled the air around them.
“Can I ask how he died?” Ben’s question was low, almost hesitant.
“Of course. It’s no secret. He was in a car accident.” The words came easily, practiced over the years, given to multiple acquaintances, even strangers who asked about her widow status. A car accident. She could say the three words with no bitter edge, allowing them to slip over her lips as though she was reciting the death of someone older where the cause wasn’t questioned. Pushing her now-empty dish away, she turned back to him, blinking in surprise at the intense expression on his face as he leaned closer.
“I’m sure you’ve said those words so many times over the years, and I’m sorry. But the look on your face… why do I get the feeling that there’s a lot more to the story?”
Her chest heaved and she swallowed audibly. “Oh… you’re good at reading people.”
“I had to be. My team often depended on it.”