Ridge yawns, and I immediately feel guilty. He’s been through so much in the last couple of weeks, and here we are invading his space. He should be resting while Knox is.
“We should get going,” Reagan says. She must have noticed as well.
I stand. “Thank you for having us,” I say to Ridge.
He stands, as well as the others, everyone stretching from sitting through the movie. “It was nice to hang out and have adult conversation.”
That causes all of us to laugh.
“I’ll walk you guys out.” I watch as he lowers Knox into his Pack ‘n Play and follows us to the front door. “Drive safe,” he yells out to the guys, who are already loading up in what appears to be Kent’s Jeep. All of them except Tyler.
“Kendall, a pleasure,” Tyler says with a wink.
“Always.” I chuckle.
“Ladies, sorry about the change of plans. Call me this week and we can set up something,” Reagan says.
“Definitely, not that this change was a bad thing.” Dawn fans herself with her hands. She has a flare for the dramatic at times.
“Brother, see you later.” Reagan stands on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek before she and Dawn head to the car.
I step off the porch to follow them when Ridge grabs my hand. I stop and look over my shoulder at him.
“Thank you, Kendall, for tonight . . . I mean, for your help with Knox,” he rambles.
I smile. “I didn’t do anything but snuggle the little guy. It wasn’t a hardship, trust me. Thanks for letting us invade your space.”
He nods, but doesn’t let go of my hand. I turn my body to face sideways and look down where his large fingers are wrapped around my wrist. My pulse is pounding from his touch. I wonder if he can feel it racing. With a gentle squeeze, he releases me, and I don’t stick around. As soon as he lets go, I race down the steps and climb into the backseat of the car. Luckily for me, Tyler has been talking to the girls by his truck, and they didn’t even notice that I wasn’t behind them.
As I try to slow my thundering heart, I realize how wrong these feelings are. He’s mourning. I’m going to Hell for the thoughts in my head about Ridge Beckett.
The blare of my alarm clock wakes me up way too early. I didn’t sleep well last night, thoughts of Ridge keeping me up. One minute, I’m feeling guilty for lusting after him, considering his situation and the next, I’m imagining what those big hands would feel like running over my body.
I have to stop by my grandparents’ place before heading to work, hence the reason I’m up at the ass crack of dawn. They left yesterday for Florida, and the remodel of their house starts today. What my dad thinks I can do about anything the construction company may need is beyond me, but he thinks it’s necessary, so I’ll be there.
Yesterday, Dawn and I spent the majority of the day at my parents.’ We grilled out and just caught up. Dawn isn’t close to her family, so anytime mine invite us over, she’s always willing. I’m glad they all get along so well.
Just as I’m getting ready to walk out the door, she emerges from her room. My best friend is not a morning person.
“Have a good day, dear,” I say over my shoulder. I don’t stick around long enough for her to throw anything at my head.
It’s a warm morning for May, so I open my sunroof, put on my shades, and crank up the radio. I arrive about twenty minutes earlier than Dad said I needed to and make myself at home, diving into my muffin I brought from the house. It’s so calm and peaceful here. I hate that they’re selling it, but I understand; they need something low maintenance like a condo that will allow them to travel back and forth with limited worry.
At seven thirty on the dot, I hear the sound of a diesel engine. Right on time.
I step out onto the front porch to greet them and stop in my tracks. In the driveway sits two trucks adorned with the Beckett Construction logo on each side.
Ridge.
The man of my dreams—literally—climbs out of the driver’s seat, clipboard in hand. Tyler, following behind him, glances up and notices me.
“Kendall!” he yells out my name.
This causes Ridge to stop walking and look up. Tyler steps around him and continues toward me. “You live here?” Tyler asks, leaning down to kiss my cheek.
“Uh . . . no. My . . . my grandparents live here.”
“Kendall,” Ridge’s deep voice greets me.
Looking up, I see those dark eyes of his trained on me. Tyler throws his arm over my shoulders.
“This is her grandparents’ place. Small world, huh?” he says to Ridge.
“Tyler,” Ridge growls. He doesn’t seem too happy with him at the moment.
Tyler just chuckles and drops his arm.
“Morning.” I wave awkwardly at Ridge, and a small smile tips his lips. It really is too early to be subjected to this man and that dimple. The rest of the guys are now gathered around, so I smile and wave to them as well. “So, my grandparents are out of town, as are my parents.’ My dad sent me—not that I can be of much help,” I explain quickly.
“No problem, we know what he wants done. Your grandfather, I mean. We do need a set of keys though,” Ridge says.
“Right. Sorry, I have them. Come on in.” I open the door and go inside. Grabbing the envelope on the table with the keys, I hand it to Ridge, who’s now standing right next to me. “Here you go.”
“Thank you. So, if something does come up, should we call you?” he asks.
“Yeah, for the next couple weeks anyway. My grandparents will be gone longer, but my dad will be back in town after that.”