“Up to you, sweetie, but I say don’t pass up a golden opportunity. They don’t come around all that often, and you don’t know when you might have another chance.”
Savannah smiled at her. “There are a lot of men out there.”
“Yes. But has any other guy made you feel like Cole does?”
She stared at her tea. “Never. Not yet, anyway.”
Liz laughed. “Trust me, Savannah. There aren’t that many men in this entire world who can put that kind of look on a woman’s face.”
She lifted her gaze. “What kind of look?”
“That sexed-up, pink-cheeked, dreamy-eyed, oh-boy-was-it-good kind of look.”
Savannah palmed her cheeks. “I do not have that kind of look.”
“Of course you don’t. I’m making it up.”
“Sometimes I hate you, Elizabeth Riley.”
Liz grinned and lifted her glass, saluting Savannah. “Why, thank you, Miss Brooks. That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all day.”
THIRTEEN
SAVANNAH KNEW THAT WORKING WITH COLE ON SOME of the image makeover ideas she had wasn’t going to make him happy. He was resistant to thinking he was anything less than perfect.
Then again, he was a man, and men didn’t like to be told they needed to make changes in their lives. Ego and testosterone and all.
She understood that and she was trying to finesse this, but there were a few things that couldn’t be finessed, and he was just going to have to suck it up and take it.
It had dawned a miserably hot day, and even at seven a.m. Savannah knew it was going to be the kind of brutal day that made you wish you could stay inside, hibernating in the air-conditioning.
The site had no trees—at least not yet—so they’d have zero shade today. She fought back a grumble and sucked down her iced latte, determined to focus on Thomas and Selena Rogers, their three children, and the new house they were going to get.
Selena was beyond excited and Thomas was grinning ear to ear. Savannah had worked with both of them on a couple other house builds as well as the start of their own. They were quiet and soft-spoken, generous with their time, and willing to do anything to help others. They were also still shocked and grateful to be so close to having their first home. They currently lived in a one-bedroom, which wasn’t at all comfortable for raising three children.
But they were together. Selena worked a full-time job and was in night school. Thomas worked two jobs and yet Savannah had never once heard them complain. And their kids were an utter delight. So smart and happy, always with smiles on their faces no matter their circumstances. Seeing those kids filled Savannah with joy.
Because they had love, hope, and most important, parents who loved them.
That counted for so much.
The crew was arriving, it was getting noisy, and as Savannah turned, she caught sight of Cole pulling his SUV onto the street. He greeted the foreman, who checked him off the list and got him set up with what he’d need for the day.
Lord. He wore jeans, a sleeveless shirt, and a ball cap he’d turned backward. He also had on scuffed, dirty work boots. When he strapped on the tool belt and headed her way, Savannah’s knees weakened.
She’d already resolved that their one night together was going to remain exactly that—one night. Her body apparently thought otherwise, because parts of her were tightening, throbbing, and jumping for joy.
She was stronger than her libido. She was. She could contain herself and not go over there, leap on him, and take a long, slow lick of his neck.
She took a deep breath and met him on the sidewalk.
“Good morning,” she said.
“Mornin’. Ready to pound some nails?”
She was ready to pound something, but it had nothing to do with nails, unless she was going to nail him. Which wouldn’t be appropriate in front of all these people.
Well. So much for her resolve, which was quickly melting in the morning heat. Thinking about business would help.
“Before we get started,” she said, “I want to talk to you about the media.”
“What about them?”
“They’re going to be here to cover the house building today, but also because members of the team are here.”
“Okay. So?”
“Make this about the house and not you, okay?”
“I will if they will.”
He started to walk away, but she touched his arm to stop him. “You know they won’t. They’re going to want to dig at you. Don’t let them.”
“So, what am I supposed to do, Peaches? Stand there and take the shit they dish out about me and my career?”
“For the most part, yes. Talk about the house project and the Traders’ involvement in it. Tell them how happy you are to be participating. Concentrate on the positive aspects of you being with St. Louis and downplay all the negatives of your past.”
“And what if that’s not what they want to talk about?”
“Then keep directing them toward the project. It’ll make them look bad if they keep badgering you about your past. As long as you smile and you’re positive, they’ll have nothing to say.”