Free Safe by Ryan Michele Page B

alone with me.
     

     
    The next few days passed quickly, and work was a pain in the ass. Every time I thought I had something figured out, I didn’t, or a wrench was thrown into it. I needed to get away.
    Walking into my brother’s office, I asked, “Renzo wanna go get lunch?”
    “Yeah, give me five.”
    Fifteen minutes later, we pulled into the diner. After all the hand waves to everyone we knew, we finally got to our booth. “You wanna tell me what’s up your ass today?” Renzo eyed me.
    “Bad day.”
    “Why? Can I help?”
    “No. Just everything I touch fucks up, and it’s pissing me off.”
    Renzo just stared at me like he wanted me to go on, so I did. “I fucked up the order for the lumber so I had to call and redo it. Then the stupid computer froze when I was doing inventory for the Willis job. Then the kicker was Jameson called again today.”
    “What’s his problem now? Thought the rebar thing was handled.”
    “Me too. Guess I was wrong.”
    “What crawled up his ass? He’s never been this way before.”
    “I don’t know. Now he wants proof that the rebar is there.”
    “Fuck,” Renzo groaned.
    “Yeah, I don’t want to jackhammer that shit out to prove it’s there, just to replace it. You know how much that will cost?”
    “Damn. Did Dad do anything yet?”
    “I don’t know. What I do know, is this is a pain in my ass.”
    “Shit. What do you need me to do?”
    “I don’t know yet. You got any ideas?”
    “Other than telling him or having the guys who laid it tell him, I don’t know.”
    “Shit.”
    Rubbing my hands across my face, I sighed; nothing was gonna be fixed in the next five minutes.
    “You talk to Sadie at all?” This must have been Renzo’s way of changing the conversation.
    “No, why would I?”
    “You two were awfully close the other night.”
    “Nothing happened. I was just helping her keep the wolves at bay.”
    It had been four long days since I’d seen Sadie. That didn’t mean that my thoughts weren’t consumed by her, even my dreams.
    And speak of the devil. “Look who’s here.” I pointed toward the door.
    In walked Sadie and Lauryn. Sadie was dressed in short shorts and a skin tight t-shirt, her long hair hanging down her back. She was absolutely stunning.
    “Sadie,” I called from my seat, waving like an idiot. I needed help. Her eyes turned to my voice and a smirk played on those beautiful lips. Lauryn nudged her, but instead of smiling at her she scowled. It made me laugh. Sadie was a bit feisty. I could see it spark at times.
    Slowly they made their way to our booth.
    “Hey ladies. Need dates?”
    Lauryn spoke before Sadie, “Sure!” She moved in next to Renzo who was giving me the death glare. Sadie slowly moved in by me leaving enough room between us to fit the Grand Canyon. This repulsion she had for me was quite a turn on.
    “What are you ladies doing today?” I asked.
    “Shopping. Getting ready for the party tomorrow night,” Lauryn said.
    “Oh yes, the Welcome Sadie to Williamsfield Party . You excited about that?” I asked, glancing at Sadie.
    “Thrilled.” I loved her sarcastic tone.
    “Sounds like it,” Renzo chimed in. “You have a rough time getting home the other night?”
    “Nope, we got home just fine. Actually Sadie drove; I had a few too many.”
    Sadie shrugged her shoulders as if it were no big deal. The conversation at lunch was light. We laughed just like the night at the bar.
    The entire time I felt all the tension of my morning fall away from me. The more I heard Sadie laugh, the more relaxed I became. Reluctantly, we were finished and needed to get back to the office. “We’d better go. Thanks for eating with us.”
    “Thanks for buying.” Lauryn smiled.
    “Anytime.”
    “You’re coming to the party, right?” Lauryn wasn’t done with me yet.
    “Yeah. We’ll all be there,” I said, looking at Renzo. I needed to find out what the hell his problem was when it came to Lauryn.
    “‘K bye,” Lauryn