Understood Read Free Page A

guy.
    She wasn’t flirty or cute, and she didn’t have a repertoire of clever, witty things to talk about. All she knew how to do was tell the truth. And that truth was that she wanted Jake.
    “Well, girl, it’s your move, and you have two choices. Let him keep on walking or go tackle his ass and make him yours.”
    She groaned again and flopped her head onto the bar. She was gonna need a day or two to think about this one.

Chapter Three
    Three days. It had been three days since he’d dropped his bomb on Ellie, and he’d yet to see hide or hair of her. And that was hard to do considering she worked for him and Luke.
    He hadn’t wanted to push her this soon, but in light of her most recent antics, he’d say it was time. Well, she was getting one more day before he hauled her out of her hidey hole kicking and screaming.
    Jake uncurled the rolled up plans and splayed them out over the hood of his truck. Then he glanced back at the building site and swore under his breath. He propped his foot up on the bumper and leaned in closer to try and figure out just how his foreman had managed to fuck up the design this badly.
    The weather was downright balmy. Not a cloud in the sky. No threat of rain the entire week. A miracle for the southeast region of Texas this time of year. He couldn’t afford to lose any time on this project because sure as shittin’, rain would move in the next week and they’d be sitting around with their thumbs up their asses.
    A truck roared up next to his, and Luke Forsythe got out, a frown on his face. He strode over to where Jake stood.
    “How much is this going to set us back?” Luke asked.
    “Money or time?” Jake asked dryly.
    “Both.”
    “The money depends on whether they can salvage the awning. Time lost is at least three days. Days we can’t afford to lose if we’re going to finish on time. We need this done by Christmas.”
    Luke bent over the plans, his lips drawn into a grim line. “Did you fire Shelton?”
    “Hell, yeah. This is his second screw up in a week. I put Colin in charge. He’s over cracking the whip now.”
    Luke nodded his approval. He studied the schematics intently then said in a casual tone, “I hear there was a bit of excitement over at Zach’s Saturday night.”
    “Fuck you.” Jake glowered at his partner. He’d have to remember to have a word with Colin. Damned big mouth.
    Luke chuckled. “Well, it’s not everyday Big Jake Turner is seen hauling a woman out of a bar over his shoulder. Especially when the woman in question is our secretary.”
    Jake made a few derogatory remarks pertaining to Luke’s parentage.
    Luke laughed again. “You’re too uptight, man.” His expression grew serious for a second. “Speaking of Ellie, I see Ray seems to be doing well. He just got a big write-up in the Beaumont paper. Contract extension. Two more years.”
    Jake’s disposition went even further south. He hoped to hell Ellie wasn’t reading the damn paper. Like she needed Ray’s name splashed across her consciousness. Bastard didn’t deserve squat.
    “Maybe he’ll take a sack and break his fool neck,” Jake muttered.
    Luke raised an eyebrow. “You know, I’m curious, Jake. And feel free to tell me to mind my own fucking business, but why is Ray still off in the NFL prospering and doing well? I don’t get it. Why didn’t Ellie go after him with both barrels?” Familiar anger seethed within Jake. He rolled his fingers into balls and clenched them at his side. Then he turned to Luke.
    “Would you have believed Ray was capable of what he did if I hadn’t told you face to face?”
    Luke looked away then down. “Probably not, man. He’s snowed a lot of people.”
    “Bastard laid the groundwork well in advance, making it impossible for Ellie to be taken seriously. She actually went to the police once. They didn’t do a goddamn thing other than listen to Ray’s excuses and laugh it off as a marital spat. Then he made her sorry she ever tried to get