Free Damaged Perfection (The Perfection Series Book 1) by Nicki Rae Page B

stands, takes his and my trash and walks over to the site tent.
    I blow out a long breath. This guy is giving me whiplash. Why can’t we just work without adding all this tension? I have a few minutes left of break so I decide I need to call Phoebe. She usually knows how to make me feel better. After it rings a few times, it goes straight to voicemail. I put my phone back in my bag without leaving a message. I walk back to put my stuff in my car and I feel my phone vibrating. It must be Phoebe.
    “Hello? Are you just now waking up?”
    “Piper, this is Frank. I was just wondering how things were going with Fenton?”
    “Oh I’m sorry, Mr. James. I thought you were my sister calling me back.” I look in Fenton’s direction. He is making friendly conversation, so maybe he is ok after all.
    “It is going great! I am learning so much from him, he really is a great teacher.” Considering what happened between them earlier, I feel the need to try and smooth things over. I hear silence on the other end of the line and for a moment, I think he has hung up on me.
    “I am glad to hear that. I have decided that you need to stay out there a couple more days before coming back to the office, I feel it would benefit you to get more hands on training.”
    “Oh. Yeah, that is a great idea.” I really want to tell him how much of an awful idea that is but I don’t want to give him the wrong idea; he and Fenton already don’t get along real well. I just don’t know if I can be around him for a few more days.
    “Great. If you need anything, please call Liam or myself.”
    “I will, thank you, Mr. James.” I remove the phone from my ear and am standing, staring at it when I hear a voice behind me. I turn to see a smile on his face and I know that he knows.
    “I hope you are ready to not rip your clothes off and throw yourself at me for a few more days.” He winks and walks back to our work site. After I gather my wits, I follow him.
    We work in silence the rest of the afternoon. I want to apologize to him. I want to tell him that I am not judging him as everyone else seems to be doing. But I feel like it will do no good at this point. I guess I will just have to make it a point to show him that we can be friends. As for today, maybe we should make it through and start over tomorrow.
    When Frank first told me that I would be out here for a few days, I was dreading it. After thinking about it and experiencing the flow that Fenton and I seem to have, I would now be lying if I didn’t admit that I am a little excited. He keeps me on my toes, he is a smartass and his gorgeousness keeps me in knots but I feel comfortable around him. I know I can ask him anything without getting a judgmental stare. If Fenton is nothing else, he is at least real.
    I am deep in thought when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I look up from what I am doing to see Fenton standing there with his arms crossed. I notice that everyone else is cleaning up and getting ready to leave.
    “Wow, this afternoon went fast.”
    “Yes it did. We got more accomplished than I expected.”
    “What is that supposed to mean?”
    “I was just expecting to have to lead you around on training wheels.”
    “I told you I grew up on a site.” He nods but doesn’t respond.
    “Fenton, I am sorry for what I said to you earlier.” I can’t wait until tomorrow. Guilt is something that I don’t handle so well. So if I don’t handle this before I leave, I will never be able to sleep tonight.
    “You don’t have to apologize for saying what you are thinking. I guarantee if I have something to say to you, I will say it.”
    “Do you have something to say to me?” I am a little nervous for his answer.
    “Yeah, get ready for your lesson. I have woman to take advantage of so I don’t want to be here all night.” I see the hurt in his eyes and the feelings that overcome me are ridiculous. I barely know him but I want to go over, put my arms around him and take away all of his