Build Me Up by Lili Grouse Page B

Ford’s living room, however, didn’t have carpets and there weren’t any fluffy pillows or throw blankets warming the couch.
    Nevertheless, Kristen decided the warmest spot in the house – unless she wanted to get back in the shower or crawl under a comforter in the bedroom – was a corner of the couch. She tucked her feet under her and held the coffee cup with both hands.
    “Here,” Ford suddenly appeared with a sweater in his hand, “it should warm you up until the house heats up.”
    “Thanks,” Kristen said and set down the cup on the table before pulling the sweater over her head. It was large and warm, and she looked at the print on the front. “BU Terriers?”
    “I played some hockey in college,” he shrugged and sat down on the couch with his own cup of coffee, leaving as much space between them as possible.
    Oh, yeah, she could definitely picture him as a hockey player. “Got any scars?”
    “A few. They’ve all faded, though.”
    “Can I see?” Kristen blurted before thinking things through. She really shouldn’t be checking out any part of him that wasn’t on display in his everyday clothes.
    “I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” he shook his head. “It’s pretty cold in here still.”
    “You’re right,” Kristen said quickly, happy for the get out of jail free card, and turned her attention fully on her hot beverage again. “How long do you think it’ll take before the clothes are done?”
    “I’m afraid I don’t have any fancy equipment, so we’re looking at at least a couple of hours. “Do you want me to drive you to Mrs. Breezer’s house and I can bring the clothes to the building site?”
    “Thanks, but if you don’t mind, I think I’ll hang out here until I can leave in my own clothes. I have the feeling Mrs. Breezer is a gossip.”
    “Does that matter to you? What people think?”
    “Image is everything in my line of business.” Kristen sipped her coffee, thankful she was starting to warm up.
    “So you’ve never done the walk of shame, then?”
    Kristen was grateful she’d managed to swallow her last sip of coffee, because if she hadn’t, she would have sprayed him with it.
    “Sorry. None of my business,” Ford said, holding his hands up in a gesture of backing off while remaining immobile.
    “Have you?” she countered.
    “Not really my style,” he shrugged.
    “What? One night stands or being ashamed of them?”
    “Neither.”
    “Hm.” Kristen put her cup down and curled up further on the couch, hugging her legs to her chest.
    “What?” Ford frowned.
    “I’m just thinking about that expression. Doing the walk of shame? You think it’s mostly men or women who do that kind of thing?”
    “Do I sense a discussion coming on?” Ford asked, sounding amused.
    “Just making conversation,” Kristen shrugged. “And for the record… yeah, I have. In college. Does that shock you?”
    “Why would it?”
    “Does it feed your prejudices about California girls?”
    “How do you know I have any preconceived ideas about Californian women?”
    “Uh… I’ve talked to you for more than five minutes since I got here?”
    Ford smiled. “Guilty as charged. But I’m not the only one with prejudices here, am I?”
    “Okay. Fine. Subject dropped.”
    “Ah. Interesting.” Ford smiled and shifted in his seat, facing her more fully.
    “What?”
    “You don’t like to talk about yourself – not when it’s something you feel insecure about.”
    “I’m not insecure,” Kristen objected.
    “Okay, insecure might be the wrong word. But you definitely come on less strong when you’re not a hundred percent sure of your standpoint. You don’t like to admit when you’re wrong.”
    “Does anyone?”
    “Good point.”
    “Where’s your daughter?” Kristen asked, looking around.
    “Sorry?”
    “You told me you had a daughter. But I didn’t see any feminine products in the shower, nothing to make ones hair soft and shiny. I’ve never met a woman who