Free Ocean Beach by Wendy Wax Page A

watched a cruise ship angle its way into the channel. Close up, it looked immense; the people lining its railings were tiny in comparison.
    “What about the electrical?” he asked.
    “Completely insufficient,” Avery said. “It’s all knob and tube and pretty much anything you plug in blows a fuse. We can’t put in air-conditioning or do much of anything else until that’s taken care of.”
    “I think I know a guy down in Davie that—”
    “Thanks, but I’m all set,” she said quickly. “I’ve got an electrician scheduled to put in a breaker box and rewire. Everything will have to be brought up to code.”
    The ship cruised past and she studied its wake, white and frothing.
    “And the plumbing?” he said. “I once worked with a—”
    “I’ve got a plumber,” she said. “He’s scheduled to come in after the electrician.”
    “I’m assuming there’s a flat roof.” Chase tried again.
    “Yes,” she said. “And it needs an overhaul. And I’m still looking for a good plaster-and-tile guy—there’s a ton of both in this house and it’s going to take skilled artisans with a delicate touch.”
    “How about En—”
    “I’ve got Enrico Dante’s number.” She named the roofer who’d brought a number of talented family members in to work on Bella Flora. “I know his grandfather worked in Palm Beach for Mizner back in the day, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that at least a few Dantes migrated south.”
    Avery made her way off the jetty and followed the promenade, heading back the way she’d come. The cruise ship had passed out of sight like it had never been. Seagulls swooped and cawed over the water.
    “If you’d like I could…” Chase began.
    It seemed she’d been too subtle. “I appreciate that you want to help. But I don’t need it, Chase.”
    There was a beat of silence followed by the creak of what she knew was the old office chair that his father had once sat in.
    “It’s my license and my reputation on the line,” Chase said, clearly stung. “As far as the state of Florida is concerned, I’m responsible for everything that happens on that job. And I don’t think either of us should forget that.”
    Avery stiffened at his tone but kept her voice even. “I’m not likely to forget it,” she said. “But the last thing I wantis for the network to think that I need someone male to help me figure out what to do. In ten seconds flat I’ll be Vanna again and you’ll be the big buff construction guy.”
    There was another pause and Avery knew her rejection of his help was not going down easy. She girded herself for battle. With Chase, you never knew for sure. She let out a sigh of relief when he said, “So you think I’m buff, huh?”
    “Completely,” she said.
    “Well, I guess that’s something,” he replied. And then added a grudging, “You do seem to have things under control.”
    “The biggest issue is the budget,” she said, wanting to offer something.
    “It always is,” Chase agreed.
    “Right. But usually that’s because there
is
no money,” Avery said. “This time I think it’s intentional. The network wants us desperate. I mean what’s a reality-TV show without stress and conflict?” She was going to have to find some way around the money thing. She was not going to turn The Millicent into “Do Over on a Dime.”
    “Reality shows need sex, too,” he said. “Lots of it.” His voice brightened. “I could definitely help with that.” There was a pause. “Assuming that’s not too intrusive of me.”
    Relieved that he seemed to have regained his sense of humor, Avery laughed. “That would be a little easier if we were actually in the same place at the same time. And I weren’t sharing a bed with Deirdre.”
    “It may take me a little longer than I’d like, Van. But I’ll be there…” There was a beat of silence and then: “I’m having a hard time picturing you and Deirdre duking it out over mattress space,” Chase finally said. “And