“Don’t know. Maybe an hour or two. I can come back.”
“No, no. It’s fine. Stay. Would you like to join me for lunch? I was about to make myself a sandwich.” His lips turned up into a smile and his green eyes glowed a little.
“That would be nice. Thanks.”
He followed me into the kitchen and sat down at my tiny kitchenette table while I made two sandwiches. I piled on the turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes and handed him a plate and offered some potato chips.
“I have iced tea. Would you like some?” I asked over my shoulder as I poured myself a glass.
“Yes. Please,” Aidan mumbled around a mouth full of sandwich. I set down a glass in front of him, then joined him on the opposite chair. He took a huge gulp of his tea and immediately made a face of disgust.
“Blech.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Is this unsweet tea?”
“Yeah? Is something wrong with it?”
“You mean besides the fact that it’s unsweet?”
“Oh.” I laughed. “I can get you some sugar.” I started to stand.
“No, no, it’s fine.” He waved his hand at me to sit back down. “Sugar doesn’t melt very well in cold water anyway.”
“Oh, right. Sorry. I only make unsweet tea, and I forget that people here drink it sweet.”
“Here? Where are you from?”
“San Diego, California.”
“California? How the hell did you end up in Kentucky?” he asked, looking amused as he leaned forward in his chair as he finished off the last of his sandwich.
“I followed someone out here.”
“A guy?”
“Yeah, but it didn’t work out,” I said as I stood. I gathered our plates and put them in the sink. “So I’m moving back home as soon as I can get this place sold.”
Aidan slowly nodded as his face tightened. “What’s the reason for the alarm system? Is this guy dangerous? Are you afraid he’ll harm you?”
“No, nothing like that. Derek is way too nonchalant about everything in his life, even me. I doubt he’ll ever show up here again.” I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince him or myself of this. “The Realtor said that a good alarm system would increase the appeal of the condo, and since I’ll be here by myself now I just want to feel as safe as I can.”
“Right. I’ll make sure you’re safe, don’t worry.” The way those words sounded coming from his mouth did something to my heart. I knew it was his job and probably something he said to all of his customers, but I allowed myself to imagine he said it for me. Aidan held my gaze as he brought the glass of unsweet tea to his lips, took a sip, then immediately grimaced.
“Uck. I forgot.” He shook his head with his face still scrunched up, and I threw my head back and laughed.
Chapter Three
The test system at the main office never did come back up, so Aidan scheduled another morning appointment with me the next day. This time I took a little extra time getting dressed. Instead of shorts and a T-shirt like yesterday, I put on skinny jeans and a tighter-fitting top. I also put on just a little mascara and lip gloss. I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard to impress him, because I wasn’t, right?
Aidan showed up on time wearing a crisp blue long-sleeved button-down with his name and company logo stitched on the left breast pocket. He grinned at me as I let him in but not before I saw how his gaze traveled quickly down my body. Before I could completely step out of his way, our shoulders brushed lightly, and I couldn’t resist the faint shiver that ran down my spine at the contact.
He set up his laptop and logged into the company’s website. It took him awhile, but he was able to successfully test the system. He then set to work on installing all of the sensors on the windows in the areas I designated. I was sitting in my office when he came in.
I was in midscoff as I was reading my own article, completely unaware that he was watching me.
“What’s that face for?” Aidan asked as he set down his equipment box and began rifling through it for the materials he needed.