Greetings fellow readers! Most of you probably know me from the work I have done on Instagram, and if that is not how you found this, still welcome. This story is a retelling of an AU I posted on Instagram. Only here, I get to write a little more freely and make it just a little spicier for my grown-up audience. If you are not at least sixteen or older (18 really) than some of this story might not be for you. I am keeping this story as M rated, as will most of my works. Not all my stories will have explicit content, the M rated setting just does a better job of keeping my stories hidden so only the people who have a direct link can read my stories. Each chapter will have a content warning notice if things get explicit, so you can choose whether you want to read that or not. The story I am about to write is a sexier version of the most recent story I posted on Instagram called… okay I never gave it a title so, for Fanfiction I will call it Handy Man Affair.
Chapter 1: How the Story Begins
HELP WANTED: LOOKING FOR A SKILLED AND HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR/CARPENTER FOR PROPETY RENVATIONS. PAYS WELL! IF INTERESTED… CALL PETER HASTINGS AT 1-(222)-134-2567
Toby looked over the ad while driving his truck up the road to the Hastings manner. He pulled outside the gate to the home wondering if this was one of those places you needed to be buzzed in to get through. He rolled down the window then pressed the button on the intercom.
"Who's there?" A voice answered.
"Toby Cavanaugh I'm here to speak with Mr. Hastings. I'm responding to his ad looking for a carpenter."
"You may enter."
The giant gate slid open giving Toby room to pull through. There was one dark blue sports car parked on the lot. Toby pulled up beside it then got out. He walked up the stone pathway to knock on the front door. After two knocks, an older man answered.
"You're the carpenter?" The man squinted.
"Yes, sir," Toby nodded.
"You're a lot younger than I expected," said the man. "How long have you been working?"
"Since high school. I just started my own company a few months ago, but I assure you I am very good at what I do."
"I will be the judge of that. I am Peter Hastings, and my daughter is the one who needs help."
"What kind of work does she want done?" Toby asked.
"She's trying to renovate the barn out back."
"Well, is she home? Perhaps she's the one I should be talking to."
"You haven't got the job yet, son, so you haven't earned the right to meet her yet."
"Okay," Toby dialed down. "I brought a folder full of the work I have done in the past with photos that you might like to see. Plus, recommendations from previous jobs."
"Come on in," said Mr. Hastings.
Toby sat across from Mr. Hastings on one of their many couches. They sat in silence for a moment as Peter looked over everything Toby brought with him. Mr. Hastings cleared his throat then set down the folder.
"So, you worked with Mr. Sweeny here in town," said Mr. Hastings. "Based on his report he thinks highly of you. How did you like working for him?"
"Working with Mr. Sweeny was a great opportunity. I learned a lot about how to work well with a crew and he even let me take charge on one of his projects. We put up a lot of the new houses you see around town in the last five years."
"Why did you leave his company?"
Toby leaned forward in his seat, "as much as I liked working with the guy, I felt that I was ready to take on more responsibility like having my own company. I went to school, got a business degree, and now, I am officially in business for myself."
"My daughter has ideas for the barn out back," said Mr. Hastings. "I don't know what she sees in it, but she thinks the barn holds potential. She would like to turn it into a loft. Personally, I feel it is a waste of time since she'll be married and moving out with her soon-to-be husband by the end of the year."
"Would you mind if I took a look at the barn?"
"Sure," Mr. Hastings clapped his hands together. "I'll show you."
They rose to their feet and exited out the back door. Toby took several minutes to investigate the structure. The interior already looked as if someone had started living in it. The wood looked like it was rotting a way a little, but that could be replaced. The roof had a few leaks. Some windows look slanted, but overall, Toby felt this place has potential. He hasn't met Mr. Hastings daughter yet but, he could see what she sees in this place.
"Sure, this place is a little rundown and needs a lot of repairs, but overall, the structure is pretty much intact, which is good," said Toby. "You could do a lot with this place."
"You think you can transform a place that was meant for animals into a loft to live in?" said Mr. Hastings.
"I do," said Toby. "I would very much like to do the work, if you will give me a chance."
"Well," Mr. Hastings thought. "You have a good resume here. I think you will be a good fit for the job; however, you will have to meet my daughter and her fiancé to get their approval before we make things official."
"Understand," Toby nodded. "I would love to meet your daughter. Is there a time I could come back and meet them?"
"Stick around for about an hour and she should be here."
"Okay. You know if you don't mind, I think I'll get started clearing the ground here. It's kind of mess back here."
"Help yourself. I'll just send her out here when she gets home," said Mr. Hastings.
Spencer entered through the front gate to the driveway of her home. She was so caught up in her phone call that she didn't even notice the truck parked in the driveway. Spencer pulled up beside it to park.
"I don't know, Aria, maybe it's all too perfect," said Spencer. She shut off the engine to her car.
"Spence it is not too perfect. You have been waiting for this your whole life and it finally happened. You should be over the moon!"
"I am, but is it too soon? I'm not even finished with law school yet."
"You and Wren have been together for a year and a half," said Aria. "A proposal was in the cards."
"My parents are thrilled at the match. A fancy rich Doctor."
"Seriously, could you pretend to be thrilled about this?" Aria joked.
Spencer exited her vehicle, "I am, I'm just conflicted as well. I think I may have rushed into saying yes." She looked at the huge diamond ring on her finger.
"It's normal to be anxious, but I promise, you're making the right decision. How are those shoes that Hanna sent you?"
"A little…" Spencer slammed her hand into the side of her car to regain her balance. "a little high. Why did Hanna send me six-inch heels to wear?"
"You're wearing them outside?" Aria exclaimed. "Spence, those heels were made to be worn in doors."
"I don't think I could wear these to any in door functions."
"Not functions, Spencer. For sex."
"What?" Spencer tripped on her heels again and would've fallen straight on her face if it weren't for a pair of hands that reached out to steady her. Spencer caught her breath only to lose it again as she looked up to meet a pair of the bluest eyes she had ever seen. The blue eyes belonged to the face of a handsome young man. A lot of people come and go to work for the Hastings manner that Spencer was familiar with, but this guy, Spencer had never seen him before.
"Oh, shit," were the only words she could manage to say.
The man stared back at her with such an intense focus.
"Are you alright?" He asked. His voice was low and husky, sexy.
"Uh, yeah," Spencer whispered. She leaned herself up right and brushed the loose hair out of her face. "Thanks."
"I'm Toby," he said.
"Hi, um, I'm…"
"Spencer," Aria's voice cut through the phone. "Hello? Are you still there?"
Spencer snapped to, "Aria, I'll call you back. Bye."
Spencer hung up the phone and just stared at the handsome man who identified himself as Toby.
"Well, I think we just got off on the wrong foot there," Toby joked.
Spencer laughed and brushed more hair out of her face, "uh, yeah, a little bit. Um, who are you? That's dumb you just told me your name. I mean, what are you doing here?"
"I was talking to your father about working here. On the barn."
"Oh, you're the carpenter."
"I hope to be," said Toby. "He said I should talk to you first. I was working to clearing the grounds when I remembered I left my tools in my truck."
"Wow, you haven't even gotten the job officially yet and you're all ready to work," Spencer smiled "Now, that's dedication."
He smiled back making her go weak in the knees. She would've stumbled over again if it weren't for her tight grip on his arm. His arm. She was still holding on to his arm. His muscular arm. Spencer let go.
"So, uh you already talked to my dad which means you were probably waiting on me," Spencer adjusted her purse. "Would you like to come in and sit down?"
"Sure," Toby nodded.
"Just one second."
Spencer took off the heels she was wearing. Toby couldn't help but smile as she led the way up the stone path in stocking covered feet.
They met. Like what you've read so far? Tell me and please leave a comment. I will be back with chapter two soon. -Mellie