Worth Waiting For Read Online Free

voice reminded her of the comfortable warmth of a thick down blanket.
      “Oh no, did I wake you?”
      “Ms. Newman?” he asked in a more alert voice.
      “Yes, it’s Julia,” she corrected. “I’m sorry I called so early, but I didn’t expect you to answer the phone. I was going to leave you a voicemail.”
      “That’s no problem.” She heard him yawn. “How can I help you?”
    She imagined lying next to him in bed. His rugged jaw shadowed with morning stubble, his bare chest just above the sheets, his curly hair free and rumpled, hanging loosely on his tan shoulders.
    Taking a steadying breath, she shoved aside the image and silently chided herself for the unclean thoughts. She barely knew the man.
    “I’ve changed my plans for the basement,” she said.
    “Oh?”
    Julia explained the changes she wanted to make.
    “Shouldn’t be a problem,” Freddie said. “Even with a full kitchen, the timeline will be the same.”
    “Actually, I’ll need you to speed up the renovations. My father’s birthday is in four weeks, and I want to give him the keys for his birthday. I also need this done quickly before he does something crazy like sign a lease at an apartment complex. I’ll have enough trouble as it is keeping this a surprise while at the same time trying to convince him not to sign anything.”
    “Four weeks . . . will be pushing it,” Freddie said hesitantly. “I’d have to start tomorrow, and we would have to work some nights to get it all done in time.”
    “Whatever it takes is fine,” Julia said, her voice brisk. “Money’s not an issue, so if you need to charge me a premium, I understand. What’s important to me is having the apartment ready in four weeks for my father. Is that doable?”
    “Yes, it is.”
    “Great! If you get me the estimate today, I’ll sign off on it, and you can start tomorrow.”
     
    ****
     
    Freddie and his crew of two showed up early the next morning. He introduced the men to Julia and her father and then disappeared down the stairs. She didn’t see Freddie again until the fourth night after the renovations started. Driving up, she saw his truck parked on the side of the house with him bent over the open hood. She climbed from the car after grabbing her briefcase and bottle of Coke.
      “Freddie?” She had a good view of his denim-clad bottom. Very nice.
      His head popped up and he looked over his shoulder. “Hi, Julia.” Motion sensor lights illuminated the front and back of the house, but the sloped yard on the side remained dark.
      “What’s wrong with your truck?”
      He shook his head in frustration. “Nothing that can’t be fixed. I’ll be out of your way in no time.”
      “You’re not in my way.” Julia eased toward him, the heels of her pumps sinking into the soft ground with each step.
      He frowned at her, using a black flashlight to guide her steps in the grass. “Be careful. You’ll get dirty.”
    Julia waved away his concern with the hand holding the soda. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong? Do you need a lift somewhere?”
    “She’s old and every now and again she acts up.”
    Julia peered at the dusty interior filled with tubes, machinery, and wires. “Have you thought about investing in a new truck?”
    His lips narrowed into a thin line, and she wished right away she hadn’t said the words. Only after the question left her mouth did she realize how it sounded. She could go out and buy a new car when she got tired of the old one, but not everyone had the same means. Her only excuse was that after a long day, she wasn’t thinking as clearly as she should.
    He shined the light on the battery. “I’m pretty sure this is the culprit this time.” She was glad he chose to ignore her faux pas.
    Gray matter clung to the battery. “Looks disgusting.” She wrinkled her nose.
    “Yeah, I haven’t been very attentive. Never let your battery corrode like this, or eventually you’ll have to do what I’m about