Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
I frowned in concentration as I mulled it over.
“Or if you want, we can hire someone to handle the crews…if you’re finding it too much?”
I met her gaze. “Too much, as in I can’t handle it?”
She shook her head. “No, I know you can handle it, Ava. Maybe you don’t want to.” She lifted her shoulders. “I would hate to have to deal with the never-ending arguing and pushback.”
I laughed. “You do that every day, structuring deals and meeting with prospective buyers. We both do it because we’re good at it. It has nothing to do with our gender.”
“Of course, it doesn’t to us. It often does to the men we deal with.”
My lips quirked into a smile. “Not for long. Not if they want to deal with ABC.”
She grinned, then became serious. “My job is tough, but yours is tougher. Money talks for me. You have to deal with chauvinistic attitudes on so many levels. It must wear on you. Maybe if you didn’t have to handle it all the time, it would be easier.”
I blew out a long breath of air. “I appreciate your words and your concern, Addi, but I am fine. Really, I am. I’m not looking for easier. I love my job. I’m a bit tired because of the amount of work, but I’m not overly stressed by any one thing. I would love it if I could concentrate on the more important details and have someone here doing the office part. Maybe I could slowly bring them along, and they can take some other things off my plate when needed.”
She nodded. “You might want that once you get married and start a family.”
“That isn’t going to happen,” I assured her firmly. “That ship has sailed.”
She frowned. “Ava, I know you went through a bad time after—”
I held up my hand, cutting her off. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
She leaned closer. “All I was going to say is, you are better than him. He knew how to hurt you—exactly where to cut you so the scar lingered. Don’t let him win. You deserve to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
She shook her head. “I’m not talking career-wise. I mean personally. You deserve what Bray and I have. Gracie and Jaxson. The right person changes your life. Ask Ronan or Liam. They’d be only too happy to tell you that.”
For some reason, her words brought Hunter to mind. He made me feel different. Special. But it was only temporary. We’d made that clear to each other from the start.
“Not everyone is so lucky,” I said softly.
“I wish you’d talk to me.”
“I’m fine. Nothing to talk about. But I will accept your offer of some help here.”
She pursed her lips. “Should I mention the accrued vacation time you have?”
“Nope. When I need it, I’ll let you know.”
She stood, brushing her skirt. “You’re as stubborn as your brothers.”
I grinned widely. “Thanks.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll send you the applicants. I’ll narrow them down, and you can be in on the interviews.”
“Sounds good.”
With a wave, she left, and I propped my chin in my hand, staring blindly at my desk. I had lied to Addi when I told her I was happy. Lately, I found a lot of my job a struggle. I was tired of having to prove myself. Fight with foremen and contractors who thought because I had a vagina, I had no brain. That because I had breasts, they could walk all over me. I had to put on a front every time I stepped into a meeting, submitted paperwork, or drove to a jobsite. At times, it was wearing.
Memories of the past weekend drifted through my head. I hadn’t had to pretend to be anything with Hunter. He accepted me for exactly who I was. He even looked after me, allowing me the space I needed to just be Ava. I recalled the way he took me to bed and read to me. His odd moments of gentleness when he simply watched me. It had been a long time since anyone had done that. Even my own family sometimes forgot I was only Ava underneath all the no-bullshit bluster I put on during the week. Sometimes it was nice to be less in control.
I shook my head and picked up a new file. Those cases were rare. Today, I had to be Ava Callaghan, ball-breaker. I flipped open the file, losing myself in the details, my pen already scratching out the issues to be dealt with.
This was my life, the one I had chosen, and I had a job to do.
The other side of Ava had to be put aside.
Chapter 13
Ava
I worked late on Monday night. So late that all the lights were out in the compound when I finally pulled my SUV into the garage. Inside, I kicked off my shoes and padded over to the fridge, suddenly starving. I grabbed a container of cut-up veggies and cheese and stood at the counter, eating. My hunger abated, I headed to my room and changed, brushed my teeth, and slipped into bed. I rolled over, grabbing the pillow, and Hunter’s scent hit my nose. I inhaled deeply, shocked at how the smell relaxed me. I curled into a ball, thinking the only thing that would make it better was if he were beside me. I had to admit, I had slept so well in his arms the past three nights, and it felt wrong without him with me. I huffed a sigh, burrowing back into the pillow. His scent would have to suffice.