I start to unbutton my shirt. "Find someone else to hang with, River. I can handle this."
He shakes his head. "No can do, mister. This unit belongs to the building. I can't just let any Tom, Dick or Harry touch it. The owner will fucking freak at me if he finds out I let you touch the AC."
"It's Nolan," I say dryly. "The owner will not fucking freak if I touch the air conditioner."
He laughs. "Dude, seriously, you don't know him. I talked to the guy on the phone when the boiler blew last winter. He skipped right over the building manager and went straight for my jugular. Shit will get real if you try and fix it."
I crane my neck so I can look at Crew. "You're welcome to step in anytime."
Crew walks across the room and slaps River on the shoulder. "The only shit that's going to get real is the conversation we're going to have tomorrow about that uncontrollable boner you're rocking. Seriously, River. You're on the job. Dial it back."
"What?" River's eyes dart from Crew's face to mine and then back again. "I know your voice. There's no way you're Benton."
"In the flesh." Crew flashes a smile. "I own this place, and unless you're out of here in the next thirty seconds, I'm going to contract out repairs for all my buildings to another company."
Chapter 16
Ellie
"I trust you, pal." Crew claps Nolan on the back. "I don't know if you know what the hell you're doing, but I trust you. Don't fuck this up like you did with the others."
"Did you fuck up someone else's air conditioner?" Adley asks Nolan as she closes the door behind River. It took him less than thirty seconds to scoop up his T-shirt and leave. I was just as surprised as he was when Crew said he owns the building.
"He's fucked up a few," Crew grumbles. "He promised me, this time, it would be different."
"It will be different." Nolan scrubs his hand over the back of his neck. "You have my word."
It's obvious that they're not talking about air conditioners, but Adley hasn't clued in yet. "It doesn't matter to me if you fuck it up because if you do, you have to replace it. That's in my rental agreement. If something breaks and isn't repairable, it has to be replaced within a reasonable amount of time."
"I have doubts that this one is replaceable." Crew's gaze volleys between Nolan and me. "Do what you need to do, Nolan. Bear in mind, that if this goes badly, you owe me."
"Understood," Nolan replies curtly.
"I'm late for my date." Adley leans forward to kiss my cheek. "Do you want me to relay a message to Wolf through Randy?"
"If I want to talk to Wolf I can text him myself," I murmur even though the only reason I took Liam's number when I was leaving Cremza is that he insisted. He thinks he can help me further my career, but I'm not convinced. "Go have fun, Ad."
"You too." A sly grin slides over her lips. "I'll call you later."
"Are you headed uptown?" Crew turns to Adley. "I'm getting an Uber. We can ride together if that works for you."
"It works for me." Adley nods. "What's the name of that nail polish you're wearing? I've been looking for a shade just like that."
All eyes drop to Crew's hands and the bright pink polish messily painted onto his right thumbnail. He wags it in the air. "This is our Pink Twist. It just came in today. It looks like my niece needs to keep her day job. She's not going to cut it as a manicurist."
"I'm buying a bottle." Adley reaches for his hand to bring it in for a closer look. "I think this would look good on me."
"It suits you." Crew cups her hand in his. "Ellie can bring a bottle home from work for you. No charge."
"Seriously?" She holds his hand to her chest. "Thank you."
"No thanks necessary." His smile widens as he stares at her. "You ready to head out?"
"Absolutely." She abruptly lets go of his hand. "I'm going to Axel NY."
"Good choice." Crew gestures toward the door. "I've been. Great food."
Adley launches into a story about the last time she was at Axel. I hear her say something about her ex, Leo, as the door shuts behind them.
"Time for me to get to work." Nolan slides his shirt from his shoulders. "There's a gallon of your favorite ice cream in the freezer if you're hungry."
I smile in spite of my resolve not to. I didn't expect him to show up tonight. I was shocked when I turned to see him and Crew standing in the entryway of my apartment. "Cookie dough?"
"That's what your friend got for you at Cremza. I assumed it was your favorite."
"It is." I draw in a breath. "What flavor were you buying the other night?"
He hesitates briefly before a grin pulls at the corner of his lips. "Blue bubble gum."
I cover my mouth with my hand to shield my broad smile. "I would have pegged you for more of a vanilla or strawberry type."
"Oh really?" A bead of sweat rolls down his muscular chest. My gaze follows.