“These delays are costing the homeowners money, Jeff.”
“I agree, Harmony, but there’s nothing I can do if they keep changing their mind about finishes every third day. First they wanted black granite for the countertops. Now they’ve decided on marble. So we have to cool our heels and wait for the marble to come in, which, by the way, is back-ordered. I had no choice. I had to send the crew on to another job. Everything else in the house is on hold until we can install the counters.”
Harmony took a deep breath, then nodded. “You’re right. You’re right. I’ll talk to them.”
“Great. And when you do that? Tell them if they change one more thing in the house, it’s going to set back the final date for move in.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks for being so patient about this.”
Jeff shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
She finally noticed Barrett standing there and turned to him with a smile. “Good morning. You ready to see your house demolished?”
He returned her smile while he shook Jeff’s hand. “Hopefully just the inside parts.”
Jeff laughed. “Promise you we’ll only take the pieces out that are supposed to come out. You’re welcome to wield a sledgehammer if you’d like.”
“No thanks. I’ll stay out of the way and leave it to the experts.”
“What?” Harmony said. “This is typically where all the homeowners want to dig in and destroy something.”
“I’ve done plenty of renovating at my parents’ house. I’ve slung my share of sledgehammers in my lifetime. I’ll pass.”
“Then come enjoy the destruction,” Jeff said. “But if you change your mind, the sledgehammer is yours.”
Barrett grinned. “Thanks. Or maybe Harmony will want to take a swing.”
“Ha.” She held up her cup. “I’ll just sip and observe.”
“My crew’s already in the house and I’m heading that way,” Jeff said. “Come on in when you’re ready.”
Jeff disappeared inside, while Barrett cocked his head to the side, taking in Harmony’s black dress with white polka dots, along with her high heels. He tried not to notice her sleek, long legs or the way the dress cut across her breasts.
Too late. He already noticed.
“You’re wearing that to a demo?”
She laughed. “It’s not like I’m going to actually be doing the demo.”
“Yeah, but it’ll be dusty and dirty in there.”
“Trust me. I know my way around a renovation. I’ll stay out of the dust zones.”
“Maybe you should wait outside. Or better yet, not be here.”
Her lips quirked. “Trying to get rid of me, Barrett?”
“Nope. Just trying to look out for that pretty dress you’re wearing.”
“You noticed my dress.”
Her smile nearly knocked him out. It was pure sex and promise. Damn her for being so desirable without even trying.
“I noticed your dress could get dirty. That’s all.”
“Uh-huh. Sure you did.” She linked her arm through his. “Come on, hot stuff. Let’s go inside and take a look at the magic happening.”
They walked through the front door and into the main living area, which so far, was unscathed. All the action seemed to be happening in the back of the house, mainly in the kitchen.
“Come on this way,” Harmony said, leading him into the dining area. “We’ll be out of the way in here, but we can still watch.”
Jeff had a crew of four in the kitchen, and as Barrett sipped his cup of coffee, he watched them do a total teardown in a matter of a half hour, from removing appliances to ripping out the cabinets and the countertops. Next to come up was the hideous floor.
“Impressive.”
Harmony grinned. “I told you Jeff and his team were good.”
Jeff came over. “We’re about to take this wall down, so you two might want to either back away or make yourselves scarce. It’s going to get dusty in here.”
“That’s our cue to leave,” she said. “Thanks for the show, Jeff.”
“Yeah, it was fun to watch,” Barrett said. “Kitchen already looks larger.”
“This whole place will look bigger in a few days once we take out some walls and flooring and start cutting out for windows.”
Barrett nodded. “I’ll check back in, but I don’t want to get in your way.”
“You won’t be in the way,” Jeff said. “It’s your house. Come by anytime.”
“Thanks.”
He and Harmony walked outside.
“Do you want to come to my office so we can go over some design plans?” she asked.
“Sure.”
He followed her over to her office and pulled in front of a nice storefront that had the name of her company—Evans Interior Design—etched on the front.
He met her at the door and opened it for her.
“Thanks.”
Inside was an explosion of fabrics and tiles and books spread out on a large tabletop.
“Oh, you’re here.”
A young woman, probably around the same age as Harmony, approached her. She was petite, with dark hair pulled into a high ponytail and a gorgeous smile that she leveled in his direction.
“Rosalie, this is Barrett Cassidy. Barrett, this is my assistant, Rosalie Juarez.”
Rosalie grinned and held out her hand. “I know who you are, Mr. Cassidy. I’m a big fan.”