Charming Hannah (Big Sky #1)(51)

“It’s not my project,” Max reminds him. “You all need to talk to Jenna. Always.”

“Of course,” Bubba says and offers Jenna a chagrined smile. “Sorry about that. We’d like to stay if you’ll have us.”

“Let’s have a quick meeting,” she replies and walks outside. “Everyone who wants to stay on this project, I want you to report inside now, please.”

She has her boss hat on now, and I admit, it’s impressive. I’m proud of my little sister.

Once everyone has gathered inside, about eight men, she smiles at them, and then gets to business.

“I’m thankful that you’d all like to stay on the project. It’s important to me, and it’s going to be wonderful when its finished. But you all need to understand, I’m the boss. Always, every day. My brothers are investors, but that’s it.”

Max and I both hang in the back, our arms crossed over our chests, and watch her take the lead.

“If you have any issues with that, you’re welcome to leave now.”

She pauses and waits, but no one leaves.

“Great. I’ll be hiring another contractor this week, and he will also be a point of contact for you. We will continue with Friday lunches being brought in, as we have been. I want you to be happy and productive.”

“I don’t have any issues with you at all,” one of the men says. “You’re fair, you’re firm, and you’re kind to us. Jason is a dick.”

“Yes, well,” Jenna says with a laugh. “I think we all agree with you. Thanks for being here, guys. We are behind schedule.”

“We’ll pick up the pace,” someone else says. “It’ll get done on time.”

The rest of the men nod in agreement, and a few moments later, they go back to work and Jenna lets out a big sigh of relief.

“That could have gone very badly.”

“They respect you,” Max says.

“And they like you,” I add. “It goes a long way.”

She nods and then runs off out of the house. “Sorry guys, I remembered something I have to do in the other house.”

Max and I shrug and wander out onto the large balcony that looks out onto the ski slopes, green now with summer grass and bright flowers.

“It’s a good spot,” Max says.

“I had my doubts, but she has something special here.”

“Speaking of something special,” Max begins, “tell me about Hannah.”

“Touch her and I’ll kill you.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “No, asshole, tell me about you and Hannah.”

“I like her.” I shrug, as if it’s no big deal, and lean on the railing, not meeting his eyes with mine.

“And?”

“What are you, a woman? Do you want me to tell you all about our first kiss?”

“Sure.” He laughs. “You’ve always been the quiet one. You don’t talk about personal things often.”

“They’re personal.”

“And you’re difficult.”

“What do you want to hear? That I’m in love with her? That I can’t imagine what life was like without her?”

“That’s a start.”

“It’s too soon,” I mutter and shake my head in frustration. “It’s been less than two months.”

“So?” I jerk my gaze to his. “Who gives a fuck about how much time has passed? You’re not strangers, and you’ve spent enough time together to know how you feel about her.”

“She’s amazing,” I reply simply. “She has the next few days off of work, and I’d like to do something special for her.”

“Can you take some time off work?” Max asks.

“Yeah, I have plenty of paid time off coming.”

“I have an idea,” he says. “Take her to my condo in Laguna Beach. Use the plane.”

“Impress her,” I reply, not hating the idea.

“Treat her,” he counters. “Go live it up a little.”

“I don’t like taking advantage of you.”

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters and pushes his hand through his hair. “I understand that you don’t want me to pay off your house. But for fucksake, Brad, I own these things out right, and I’m not using them. You should use them. Take your girl for a romantic weekend at the beach.”

“Okay.”

He looks up, his eyes wide with surprise. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, that would be fun. Thank you.”

Max lets out a sigh. “I thought you’d never agree to it.”

“I’m proud of you,” I say and turn to face him. “I couldn’t be more proud. You’ve made more money than you can ever spend on your own, and you did it with grit and determination. You’re smart. Of course I’m proud of you. But those things are yours, not mine. I like making my own way.”

“I know, and I respect that. But using some of the things I’ve made or bought isn’t freeloading. I want to share all of this with my family. Otherwise, what’s the fucking point?”

I blink, not thinking of it this way before. “Thanks for that.”

“You’re welcome. Now go soak up some beach time with Hannah. Have vacation sex. Laugh. I think you both could use it.”