The Do-Over by L.E. Bross

Author:L.E. Bross
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Star

* * *

ELI’S TRUCK WAS ALREADY IN Mel’s driveway when she pulled in that afternoon.

“I’m surprised you dared to come back,” Mel said sarcastically, stepping out of her car. “Since I tried to poison you with cookies and all.”

Eli had been leaning against his truck but pushed away and came toward her. “They weren’t that bad.”

“So how many did you eat then?” Mel asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “I gave you a dozen.”

Eli shifted his feet. When he ducked his head and scratched at the back of his neck, Mel knew she had him. He did that when he was at a loss for words. At least he didn’t come right out and say they were awful, like her ex-husband would have done.

It was then that Mel realized Eli hadn’t actually said a bad word about them at all. Bill would have picked them apart in great detail to humiliate her. Eli was trying to spare her the embarrassment.

“Liesl told me about these cooking classes at the Oceanview Inn. They start next week and are in the afternoons, so I’ll be just a little late getting here but not by much. If it’s too much of an inconvenience, I can wait and take the next class . . .”

“Uh, I’d say that’s about a hundred times more important. Lives depend on it. The life you save next might be your own.” Then he winked.

Tension eased from her shoulders and she smiled. She’d unconsciously braced for his censure. That getting the cottage ready to sell was more important than some cooking class. It’s what Bill would have said. But Eli acted like interrupting his schedule was no big deal.

“Thank you.”

“What the hell for?”

“For being flexible and working around this change.”

He took her arm and turned her around. His eyebrows were low and he almost looked mad. “Don’t ever apologize for doing something you want to do. Christ, you’re a grown woman and you can do whatever the hell you want,” he all but growled at her.

“I . . .” She didn’t know what to say. Since moving here, she’d been at a loss for words more than she’d ever been in her entire life because she didn’t have replies to anything Eli said.

His expression softened and he let go of her arm. When he leaned in, her pulse leaped. “Never apologize, okay?” he whispered close to her ear. Goose bumps danced along her arms and she nodded mutely.

He always smelled so good. Woodsy and clean and manly. The last thought almost made her giggle. What the hell does manly smell like, Mel?

Eli, her mind whispered.

He straightened and was all business again, and Mel blinked to gain her focus. “So are you ready to get real dirty?” he asked. “Tonight we’re climbing around under the house.”

Under the house? Oh God, that had never even crossed her mind as a possibility. Mel groaned and closed her eyes. “Isn’t this something better left to the experts?”

Eli threw back his head and laughed. “Not a chance, Sunshine.

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