The One

🔨 Chapter 3

🔨 Matt POV

I pull up to the construction shed and realize I was so lost in thought I have zero memory of the drive back into town. "Shit, that can't be safe." 

I pick up my clipboard, I need to talk to Hank about the project. I look at my notes and remember that I wrote nothing down. Nothing. Not a good start to being the manager.

I pick up my pen and start writing, every idea, every thought. I should have taken pictures of her drawings. What is the matter with me? It's like just seeing her pushed everything right out of my head. Well, it's exactly like that because that is what happened. 

The moment I saw her I was eighteen again. Head over heels in love with my best friend. I shake my head with disgust at myself. Five fuckin' years and I've never gotten that girl out of my system. I need closure. I need to know why she left. Then I can be done with her.

I look down at my notes and see they are for the dream house, the one she drew. Not for the quick cosmetic job. Can I really work on this big project with her? After my meltdown today at merely seeing her bedroom? 

I take a deep breath and try to think it through. Well, it was the first time I've seen her bedroom since I left for college. It was bound to be emotional. If I saw it again, would I react the same? Maybe not. Especially if she cleans it out like she said she would. If it's just an empty shell, even with the floral wallpaper, I think I would be alright. 

I really think I can do this. It was just the first time seeing her. It will get easier. And I really want to do this project. I want to amaze Hank with our creation. Hell, it could get published in a magazine if I take some good before and afters.

I pinch the top of my nose and realize I need a stress reliever. I need to get laid. I text Bliss asking if she wants to hang out after work. She knows what that means. She's been my something with benefits for the last six months. Man, I remember the exact moment I started things with Bliss. It was right after seeing Prim at her father's funeral and that awkward conversation where she thought I was engaged or married or some shit. I snagged Bliss and left.

Bliss graduated two years ahead of us. She works at the town bar, simply called Work. The men in town love the irony of telling their wives, "I'm going to Work."

Bliss texts back right away with approval. Of course she does, we haven't hooked up for a month or two. But she also tells me she works at seven which means I need to get there by six so we have time for her to help me relax.

I hop out of my truck determined to impress Hank with this project. He looks up from his desk as I walk into the shed. "How'd it go?"

"Good, but I think she wants to do more than Marcia suggested."

His eyebrows raise, "The daughter is back?"

I nod, "Yeah." I don't think he knows we were friends. But everyone in town knows everyone else, so of course he would know about Prim. 

Hank gets a little smile, "Her mother Lily was the prettiest girl in school. I think every man in town had a crush on her at one time or another." I nod but I have no desire to talk about Prim's mom.

"Let me show you what she's thinking." I sit down with my notes and talk him through Prim's ideas. He nods along, asking pertinent questions.

He sits back in his chair, fingers steepled over his mouth as he thinks. "Well, this is a great remodel. Does she have the money for it? She's an artist like her mom, right?"

"Yeah, but she makes a good living at it. She gets a lot of commissioned work and has an online shop." I won't mention that I've kept up on her art with Google searches.