Chapter Three

Dale drove over a small tree limb and assorted debris as she pulled in the parking lot, proud of herself for arriving early. Pricked by memories of their last meeting, she had woken early, showered, and taken some time to find her good jeans and wear a newish V-neck T-shirt that displayed her assets. She had even spent some time with her hair and thrown on a bit of concealer and lip gloss.

She ignored the churning in her stomach at the thought of seeing Mai again. It’s because this job is important. A wave of guilt surged through her. Like lip gloss will get her to sign the contract. She smiled to herself at the thought of beating Mai to their appointment as she imagined the look on Mai’s face. No use not using what I have. Her grin faded and she snorted when she saw Mai’s car. Not early enough. For fuck’s sake.

After parking the truck next to the car, movement in the car drew her attention and she peered down. Long shapely legs leading up to bright-blue briefs filled her vision and then were blocked from her sight as Mai’s naked back, her lean muscles flexing as she struggled to pull her jeans up in the confines of the car, filled Dale’s vision. When Mai sat up and leaned back to button her jeans her breasts came into view. Dale’s breath caught and she looked away from her small, perfectly shaped breasts tipped with dark-brown nipples.

A warm flush crept up Dale’s face and her nipples peaked against the fabric of her bra. What the hell is wrong with me? She’s a client. What’s she doing changing in her car? Her back’s beautiful. Get it together. This is business. Business.

Dale waited a beat before she opened her door and climbed down from the truck. She leaned against the door to give Mai privacy to complete dressing. A breeze, a gift from the storm last night, filtered through the trees. She closed her eyes and lifted her hair off her neck in an effort to cool down.

“Dale?”

Mai’s voice, much too close, startled her. She opened her eyes and peered into Mai’s face. “Hi.” Dale’s voice rasped and she cleared her throat. “I’ve got your quote. I was thinking I would be early. But I think I’d have to sleep here to get here before you.”

Mai covered her yawn. “I don’t recommend it.” She rubbed the back of her neck.

Dale frowned at her. “Wait, what? Did you sleep here? What’s wrong with you? The building is unsafe, at least until we get the roof fixed.”

Mai stepped back. “I didn’t sleep in there last night.” She looked away from Dale’s eyes.

Dale caught the evasion in Mai’s voice. “But you’ve been sleeping here?” She placed her hand on her hip. “Why? You broke?”

Mai squared herself and met Dale’s hard-edged glare. “No. I don’t like wasting money. I had a place to stay. This was my home once upon a time. Why would I stay in a hotel? It adds up, you know.”

Dale swept her hand through her hair. “Fine. Whatever. You want to sleep someplace the roof can come down on your head at any moment suit yourself.” She shoved the estimate folder at her. “Here’s your estimate.”

Mai took the folder from Dale and tucked it under her arm. “Do you want to go somewhere and get coffee?”

Dale cocked her head to the side. “Is this your way of telling me I’m being an ass again?”

Mai failed to stifle a yawn. “No. I didn’t sleep well last night. I need some myself.”

Dale rested her one hand on her hip. “Did you sleep in your car?”

Mai’s sheepish grin stirred Dale. “Yes.”

Dale’s face burned as she pushed away images of her glimpse of a near-naked Mai. “Bella’s shop is around the corner. If you don’t mind the smell of hipster beard oil and a bunch of college kids, it’s decent coffee and we can walk to it.”

Dale looked up at the building. “How bad did it get last night you slept in the car?”

“Let’s say you’re probably going to have to add to your estimate.”

Dale arched her eyebrow.

Mai rubbed the back of her neck. “Most of the apartment ceiling is on the floor and there is a hole in the roof the size of a couch.”

“For fuck’s sake, Mai, you could have been killed.” Dale’s stomach clenched.

“I know. I know now. Can we go get coffee? I don’t need you telling me how much of an idiot I am. I feel stupid enough as it is.” Mai’s dark eyes glittered, and her mouth set in a thin line.

Dale sucked in a breath before she spoke. “Sorry. Yeah. Let’s go.”

*

Women with toddlers in their laps sat thigh to thigh with hipsters decked out in flannel. College students gulped their coffee as they worked on laptops and benches provided most of the seating at the wide board tables.

Mai pointed to a table for two next to the window at the front of the cafe. “Why don’t you grab us a seat? How do you like your coffee?”

“Black, please, medium roast.”

Mai lifted her eyebrow. “They have different roasts here?”

Dale squinted at Mai. “They do. We’re not that backwater.”

Mai dug in the pocket of her pants. No wallet. She patted her other pockets. She flushed, her cheeks on fire. Fucking great. Ask her to coffee and then don’t have any money. She rubbed the back of her neck. “Um. I’m sorry. I don’t have my wallet on me.” The mad scramble of last evening came back to her. Did I even grab it? Where the hell is it? She scrubbed her hand over her face. “I’ll go back. I think it’s in my car.”

Dale lifted her chin. “It’s fine. Go get the table so we can hear ourselves.”

Mai slouched toward the table. When did it all go sideways? What the fuck am I doing? She glanced out of the window at the row of small business storefronts across the street from the shop. Some of the stores had the same signs she remembered from growing up. Others boasted new signs and businesses. A clothing boutique shared a wall with a cooking store directly across the street from the coffee shop. Johnson’s shoe store and leather repair shop, a relic from Mai’s childhood, stood on the corner. A red neon light advertising Red Wing boots glowed next to a green “open” sign.

Dale placed a bowl-sized mug of coffee in front of her.

“You look like you needed a large one.”

Mai grimaced. “I’d drink right from the carafe this morning.” She placed the blue folder squarely on the table between them and rested her hand on top of it.

“Before you look at the final number, remember we can use less expensive materials. I costed the job using medium grade materials for everything. It will give us a starting point.”

Dale’s gaze was intense, her blue eyes dark, and Mai studied them. She heard her father’s voice in her head. It’s in their eyes, Mai. If you look hard enough you can see right into someone’s soul. Always look in their eyes when doing business. Mai sat back in her chair and lifted her coffee. She held Dale’s gaze over the rim as she sipped the hot brew. She needs this job. Wants it bad enough to deliver the estimate herself.

Mai swallowed and the smooth flavor of the coffee filled her mouth. “This is glorious.”

“They roast it themselves. And don’t act so surprised.”

Mai dragged the file folder to her side of the table and opened it. She fought her urge to squirm under Dale’s direct gaze. Flipping the pages quickly, she got to the final cost. Enough. I have enough. But will I after last night? Stupid storm. “This will increase with what happened last night, correct?”

Dale frowned. “It may, if there was extensive water damage. I won’t know if it will or by how much until I check out the building.” She rubbed her finger over the edge of her cup. “You can’t sleep there. Not now. The whole roof could collapse.” She reached across the table and rested her fingertips on the back of Mai’s hand. “Please tell me you won’t.”

Mai’s skin burned with Dale’s touch and her stomach clenched. She yanked her hand away. “Umm. Okay.” Her shoulders slumped. “I don’t know if I’ll have enough to do this.”

Dale leaned back in her chair and placed her hands flat on the table. “Can you borrow it?”

Mai’s head lifted her head. “I won’t. I would have had the cash to do everything. Now I’m not sure.”

Dale knotted her hands together. “You were going to have to replace the roof anyway. When will you decide? Are you going to walk away?”

Mai rolled the cup between her hands. “No. I’ll figure it out.”

Dale pursed her lips. “Whatever you decide, you need someone to take a look at the roof and tarp it, so you don’t have any more water damage.”

“You think I’m stupid to do this, to try to open a restaurant here, don’t you?”

Dale shrugged. “Everyone has their reasons for doing anything. I’m not judging you.”

Mai snorted. “I think I’m beyond stupid.” She gestured across the street to the shoe shop. “I want to have my own business. A place for Yvonne and me to live. Nothing fancy. A life of making food that makes folks happy. Like my parents had.”

Dale’s gaze pinned her in place. “Every time women step out and do something different folks say you’re crazy. You should’ve heard the things people said to me when I moved back here after Bill left us. And then they doubled down on the assholishness after I started my contracting business. Bill might have been a jerk, but I learned a lot from him about contracting. Most of the established subcontractors wouldn’t work with me. I found other women in the trades to work with. Most of us have been where you are. We can work on the financing. Don’t let jackasses who will spend their lives building someone else’s dream tell you that you can’t build yours.”

*

The deep shadows under Mai’s eyes tugged at Dale’s heart. Who’s Yvonne? Doesn’t matter. So afraid to spend money she slept in her car. At least she didn’t have to figure out how to sleep in a car with three kids.

Mai lowered her forehead to the tabletop.

Dale reached over and patted her shoulder, her fingers lingering on the tight muscles under her thin shirt. The sensation sparked want, low in her belly, and her fingers trembled. Wow. Lots of time in the gym. Get it together. She’s not on the market. Lucky Yvonne. “Hey. Look at me.”

Mai lifted her head. Her dark eyes shimmered.

“Why don’t we go back and get your car? I have a spare room. You can stay there.”

Mai lifted an eyebrow. “I haven’t made a decision about the project. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

Dale snorted. “I’m not worried about it. Even if you don’t say yes to me doing the work, you need a place to sleep. Women with dreams need to stick together.” She stood up and drained her coffee cup. “Come on. Before the after-yoga rush makes it impossible to get out the door.”