Free Building Up to Love by Joanne Jaytanie Page B

share.”
    “What part of the process were you involved in?”
    “I’ve done it all.”
    “Really.” She sat quietly and read through his entire application. “You didn’t list what you were making at your last position.”
    “I’m pretty flexible.”
    “You have quite a bit of experience. I’m not sure I can pay you what you were making.”
    “I don’t need much. I live with my grandparents right now. They need some help with their house and everyday errands. I rented out my place back in Seattle, so my overhead is lower.”
    “I’ll still need to check your references.”
    “I wouldn’t expect any less.” He called all his references last night to ensure they would all give Laura the same story. He looked forward to the chance to get back to his roots, his chosen field; he itched for the feel of a hammer in his hand. Projects like this came along only a time or two in one’s lifetime.

CHAPTER THREE

    Two weeks later
    Laura sat with Chloe and Becca, and sipped her first glass of merlot at Que Syrah Syrah, Tegan’s wine shop. The Tuesday night gathering was meant to be a singles mingle, however only she and the other two women had shown up. Nevertheless they continued to meet, and in order to save face they named the gathering the Tuesday Book Club. They quickly became good friends and shared in each other’s lives, yet they never actually finished a book.
    A couple of months ago, fed up with the lack of eligible men and unwilling to focus on books, Tegan proposed they change the name yet again; this time to The Love List . This strictly confidential decision meant that the sign in front of Que Syrah Syrah still read Tuesday Book Club . That night marked a change in the women’s lives. Tegan came up with the idea of each woman nominating at least two men who might be a good romantic fit for one of their friends. The nominees were thrown in a basket, and each woman swore they would draw out a name and take the initiative to ask that man out.
    Laura sipped on her merlot and pondered how to broach the subject of Travis. Her friends wouldn’t be thrilled with the situation. She might as well get it over with.
    “It doesn’t look as though this Love List is too successful. Tegan drew Richard, who turned out to be a slimeball and ended up with his boss, August Woodley. Chloe drew Roy, who didn’t have the least bit of interest in our ‘type’ and she is now with Mitch Broden…humm, on second thought, maybe I’m wrong. It did give you both the opportunity to meet Mr. Right.”
    “Spill it, Laura,” Tegan said. “We know you too well, and you, my dear, are stalling. How goes the love life? Did you ask Travis out yet?”
    “Yeah, about that…”
    “Aw, here she goes. I’m too busy with the Bed and Breakfast to date, yada, yada,” Chloe said.
    “Well, I am,” Laura said.
    “Come on, Laura. My grandmother gets more action than you,” Becca said, which got a big laugh.
    “Very funny.” Laura scowled at her friends. “I have some news if you three can possibly pull yourselves together.”
    “I think we need another bottle of wine,” Tegan said.
    “And some more cheese,” Chloe chimed in. “I didn’t get any lunch.”
    Glasses filled and snack plates stacked high, they waited for Laura to tell her tale.
    “I’m super-excited. I finally hired the perfect project manager. He’s doing a fantastic job. He even hired his team of three without me having to take the time out of my schedule to sit in on the interviews. Plans are all finished, permits are filed, and now demo has started.”
    “And the other shoe?” Tegan asked.
    “My project manager is Travis Jerome.”
    The women moaned and all started to object at once.
    “I know, I know…But I didn’t go looking for him. He saw my sign and came to me. He has all the qualifications I need and is willing to work for the pay I offered. What would you have me do? I need my business up and running more than I need a love life at the