H. Mallory - Ghouls Rush In

“Here we go,” he grumbled, but his attention was riveted on me, his eyes buoyant with excitement and undisguised curiosity. “What’s your inch?”

I didn’t drop my eyes from his. “You remodel the entire bottom floor and make it livable, so I can at least be comfortable while the top two floors are being renovated.” I paused for a breath. “I mean, there is that sagging concern, right? You wouldn’t want to just renovate two rooms if the house sinks into the ground, now would you?”

“That’s not an inch, that’s a mile,” he muttered, shaking his head in mock exasperation. Well, for all I knew, maybe it was real exasperation at this point.

“Is that a yes?” I asked confidently.

“No.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Hmm, it sounded like a yes.”

“It wasn’t.”

“I’ll take your dogs for a walk every day,” I started, searching for any other ideas that might sweeten the pot.

“I already take them for a walk every day, and what’s more, I enjoy it.”

“I’ll do your gardening.”

“The gardener does that.”

“I’ll clean your house.”

“Already have a cleanin’ lady.”

“I’ll cook you dinner,” I blurted without even really realizing I’d just basically asked him out on a date. Or had I? Was cooking him dinner actually a date? Or was it just being friendly? Neighborly? I wasn’t sure how he would take it. Crap, I wasn’t even sure how I was taking it! He just stared at me for the next three seconds, saying nothing, so they felt like hours.

“Deal,” he finished, and the look in his eyes was suddenly smoldering. It was so primal, I felt my entire body flush in response. Somehow we’d gone from mere flirtatious repartee to something much more passionate—something that felt sensual, magnetic. Well, something that caused goose bumps to travel up and down my arms, anyway.

“Um, good,” I started, giggling a horrible sound that I then muffled with my hand. It was more than obvious that I’d lost my cool and sheer nervousness had already set in.

“But we’ll have to take a rain check on dinner,” Ryan said, seeming completely nonplussed by what just passed between us. He didn’t look embarrassed, awkward, nervous…nothing. He seemed like he was totally in control of himself, just like he had been a few seconds ago.

“Rain check?” I asked, still feeling like a rock was lodged in my throat.

He chuckled. “Your kitchen isn’t exactly in workin’ order, is it?”

“Oh!” I said loudly before laughing uncomfortably again. “Yeah, that’s right.”

He flashed me his pearly whites and shook his head, dropping his gaze to the ground as he chuckled. “You should consider goin’ into sales, Peyton, if you aren’t already.”

“Sales?”

He glanced at me again and nodded vigorously. “Yes, you’ve got a gift, I reckon. Hell, you convinced me into doin’ somethin’ I had no intention of doin’.”

I laughed, taking it as a compliment. “Well, if it ever comes down to it, I hope I can use you as a reference.”

Later that evening, I relaxed in the gold velvet comfort of the two-person sofa in my suite at the Omni Royal hotel. Kicking my feet up on the coffee table, I let out a sigh, which was quickly followed by a self-impressed smile. It had been a long day, but I’d gotten a lot accomplished. Most importantly, I’d somehow worked the miracle of getting Ryan Kelly to agree to participate in my remodel.

Even though I was a bit disappointed that he wouldn’t agree to take on the whole project, I wasn’t that disappointed. On the contrary. I thought I’d actually made leaps and bounds just by getting him to have anything to do with it. Yep, it was definitely better to hope for the best but expect the worst, leaving no room for disappointment—only surprised elation.

After my taxing day, I retired into my makeshift accommodations with a smile on my face and a Dos Equis in my hand. Relaxing on the upholstered couch, I turned the TV on but couldn’t say my mind was in any way focused on the images blurring before me, or the nondescript sounds of commercials and sitcoms. Instead, my mind hummed with the possibilities regarding my new home. Ryan suggested I spend the next few rainy days hunting for images of home interiors that I liked—something to give him an idea of my taste. I figured I could pay a visit to the bookstore tomorrow where I could look through as many Better Homes and Gardens –type magazines as I could find. For now, though, I just wanted to relax and bathe in the glow of my successful day.

It was maybe a few hours ago that I’d unloaded my entire wardrobe into the closet, which hadn’t been an easy feat. As part of my “deal” with Ryan, I’d agreed to live in the Omni hotel just until Ryan finished fixing up the guest room and bathroom on the first floor. After they were done, I’d move back into my house. He imagined it wouldn’t take much longer than a week or two to renovate the small bathroom and bedroom. I figured I could handle living at the hotel until then.

Completely relaxed, I was startled by the sound of a shrill ring. Realizing it was the hotel phone, I reached for it, my heart still hammering away in my ears. “Hello?” I answered.

“See? I knew you’d be able to pull it off,” Trina laughed into the receiver. “I just spoke with Ryan and forced him to give me all the details. I had all the faith in the world in you, girl!”

“Well, I wouldn’t say it was easy,” I replied with a smile. Downing the last gulp of my beer, I thought about getting another one. “I had to pull out all the stops!”

“I have to admit, I’m impressed, honey,” Trina continued. “You did good, Peyton, and he wasn’t exactly happy that I put you up to it! Believe me, I got read the riot act!”

“Well, hopefully he doesn’t think you’re the only reason I pressured him!” I said, concerned that Ryan might think I was just acting on his sister’s behalf. I mean, I valued him too!

“Nah, he knows he’s good at what he does,” Trina said in a tone that said she was brushing off my worry. “Anyhow, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am. This is exactly what that boy needs, Peyton.” She paused for a second or two. “So, I just wanted to call to say thank you.”

“There’s really no need, Trina,” I started.

“No need!” she scoffed. “You’ve managed to do the unthinkable! Gettin’ that stubborn man to agree to anything is a feat in and of itself.”

“Well, he could always back out…”

“His word is his bond,” Trina answered flatly, as I wondered if I’d offended her. A few seconds later, though, her original enthusiasm was back. “Ryan will come through for you, best believe it!”

“I hope so!” I laughed, deciding to go for the next beer. “I never did get around to discussing a price with him…”

“Don’t you worry, my brother is a good man. He’ll give you a fair price.”

I nodded, then realized she couldn’t see me. Collapsing into the sofa, I pried the top off the beer bottle and propped one foot over the other on top of the coffee table. “I’m not worried about it. I just wish this rain would let up so he could get started!”

“Amen to that!” She laughed, then sighed like she was in a hurry. “I gotta run, doll, but you just holler if you need anything at all, you hear me?”

I laughed. “Loud and clear.”

“And, thanks again, Peyton. I…I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I owe you one!”

“Since you’re giving me a free ride here at the hotel, let’s call it even,” I said, finally feeling comfortable that I could somehow repay my debt. I definitely didn’t like feeling indebted to anyone. I never had.