CHAPTER 9:
With clip board in hand, Reese walked through the different parts of the building that her crew was working on to make sure that they all were completing each task on schedule. As Reese moved on to check on the progress that the plumbing crew made so far, Ava Riley was walking towards her.
Reese lowered her clipboard to her side. Part of her wished that the Riley's would just allow her and her crew to finish the lab without interruption or distraction and the other part of her couldn't fault them for being curious.
"Ava," Reese smiled, "to what do I owe the pleasure of you being here today?"
Ava came in wearing a very low cut blouse and the skirt she wore was long, but tight, hitting her body at just the right angles. "I just wanted to say hi. No worries," she smiled at Reese.
"Oh…okay…hello," Reese began to feel just a little bit uncomfortable. As much as she hated to admit it, Bianca might have been right about Ava having a crush. "Ava, I'm really busy here—"
"I sorry. I know how busy you are. I also wanted to know if maybe would be available to redo my home office," Ava tilted her head to have Reese look her in her green eyes. "Interested?"
Reese tapped the clipboard at her side, "You know Ava in all honesty I just want to focus on this job and on my off time focus on my kids while I'm still in town. I really don't want to take on any side jobs at this point in time."
Although visibly disappointed, Ava nodded her head in understanding, "That's fine. So you have kids who live here?"
"Yes. Two girls," Reese smiled thinking of Miranda and Gabi. "They live here with my ex."
"Oh. Must be hard – not seeing your kids like you would like to on a daily basis."
"It can be, but luckily thanks to technological advances I can always stay connected to them even if I physically can't be there," Reese tried to keep herself looking busy as she moved on to taking a look at some of the pipes already installed for one of the sinks. She was trying to nicely give Ava the hint that she had things to do.
Undeterred, Ava simply crouched down next to Reese, "I bet with how busy you are with your work that you don't date much, do you?"
Reese kept herself as calm as possible, "No. I work a lot, so I don't have the time."
"How about you make the time?" She asked so smoothly with a hint of seduction.
Reese politely smiled, "Am I imagining things, or are you asking me out?"
Ava smiled sweetly, "Would it be so bad if I was?"
Reese dusted off her hands as she stood back up, "You're a client, Ava."
"Technically Kendall and Greenlee are your clients."
Reese winced, "I applaud the attempt of finding a shade of gray on the issue, but for me it's strictly black and white. This is your lab. You and Homer choose me to completely revamp this area. So no, Kendall and Greenlee are not my clients – you and Homer are. This is business. It has to stay business. I'm sorry."
Ava pushed her thick curls back behind her ear, "You're not going to be working on this lab forever. When you're done maybe we can get drinks?"
Reese forced a smile, "I still don't think that it would be a good idea, Ava. I-"
Before Reese could finish her sentence Ava leaned in and kissed her. Reese was surprised at first then relaxed into the kiss. Just as she came to the fact that she was kissing Ava, Reese pulled back.
Ava licked the bottom of her just kissed lips, causing Reese to become very nervous as to how go about her next course of action. Ava got so close to Reese until her cheek was against hers and Reese could feel Ava's lips against her ear.
"Just a little food for thought in case you change your mind," Ava whispered seductively in Reese's ear. With that, Ava walked out of the room, leaving Reese frozen where she stood.
"Oh…shit," Reese cursed still trying to process everything that just transpired.
"Reese!" She heard Miranda's voice approaching.
Reese quickly straightened herself up before heading towards her daughter, "What's up, Rand?" Reese tried to sound casual.
Miranda took off the work goggles that were framed on top of her head, "So I finished unloading the lumber with Obie. Is my punishment for being late the other day finally over?" She asked hopeful.
"I think you've learned your lesson. Tomorrow I will have you work on the 3D software."
"Yes!" She cheered. "I'm gonna head to mom's party before I leave."
"You know, I think I just might join you."
Miranda frowned looking at Reese, "Do you think that would really be a good idea?"
Reese shrugged, "Why wouldn't? Your mother invited me."
"I only ask because of Gabi."
"What does Gabi have to do with me going to your mothers get together in the other room?"
Miranda crossed her arms, "Because she's hoping that you and mom get back together. I also suspect that she put Uncle Zach up to making sure that you were there at his party with mom."
The wheels began to turn in Reese's mind. It made sense. Zach wasn't known for playing cupid. Only Gabi could get that kind of control over Zach as she had him wrapped around her finger.
"Look, I was Gabi's age when you and mom broke up. It was completely devastating knowing that I lost you."
"You never lost me. Ever," Reese assured.
"I know, but it wasn't the same. I couldn't see you everyday or talk to you everyday. My time with you is limited to every other summer and holiday. I hated it—I still hate it. It took me a long time to accept that you and mom weren't getting back together. With Gabi, she's only known you guys apart. To have you here and in the same room with mom all she wants is to have her parents together so that we could be the family she's heard through memories that we tell her. I just don't want her to give her hopes up like I did at her age, is all."
Reese sighed sadly. She knew that the divorce was hard on the kids, but she didn't know how Miranda personally felt about it until now. "So you think that I shouldn't go?" Reese asked.
"I'm just looking out for Gabi. I've been her shoes before - hoping that you and mom would be together again. Truth is, Paris is waiting after you're done here. And then what?"
Reese patted her clipboard on her hand in thought, "You've thought this out. Um… Why don't you send your mother my best regards, and I'll see you in the morning. Ok?" Reese walked past Miranda, out of the room.
Miranda did bring up a valid point. There was no question that Reese still loved Bianca, but Bianca was so distant and cautious already. To chase her, would be to scare her away, and to chase her in full view of their young daughter would implant ideas into her head and the last thing that Reese wanted was to give Gabi false hope.
Reese repeated the same thing that she told herself after she kissed Bianca a few days previously, "Just get this job done and go back home to Paris."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey everyone. As I've stated before, I am my worst critic so my chapter post won't be automatic, but they also won't take months! Please leave feedback/reviews and I will bring you another chapter soon!
