Lucky Break by Carly Phillips Page A

overbooked.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œGood luck.”
    She nodded and reluctantly turned away, surprised and strangely disappointed he’d given in so easily.

CHAPTER FOUR
    W HEN L AUREN REJECTED him, Jason’s fighting, competitive spirit returned. When he wanted something, he went after it, and he wanted Lauren Perkins. The woman and the job. She wanted the same thing. He’d seen the disappointment in her eyes when he’d given her those other contractors’ names. She was just too shocked to admit that their chemistry was as strong as ever. Jason intended to make sure they both got what they wanted.
    Taking a page from his past, he decided the best way to accomplish his goal was to eliminate the competition. Growing up in a small town had its advantages. So did having uncles still working in subcontracting. Jason had enough contacts and friends in town to call in favors and even return a few to get what he wanted.
    His first stop after Burt’s Hardware was a building site where he could find Greg Charlton, head of Charlton Construction, one of the names he’dgiven to Lauren. Jason had recently outbid Charlton on a job to renovate a large estate home on the edge of town. Their estimates had been close and the client would do well with either company. Though Jason could always use the money the job would bring, some things were more important. A brief meeting, confirmation with the client and a handshake later, and Charlton had taken over the estate home project from Jason’s company, and the other man had agreed to tell Lauren Perkins he was too busy to take on her renovation in the time frame she needed.
    Jason returned to his home and office, the renovated barn behind Uncle Hank’s house. The place was perfect for Jason except for the added attraction of Fred, his uncle’s basset hound. The fat, lumbering old dog had gotten used to staying at the barn when Derek lived there with his daughter, Holly. Hank’s one condition for letting Jason move in was that he take over the care and feeding of The Fat Man, as Jason had started calling Fred.
    It seemed a small price to pay and Jason had agreed. Then he learned how Fred made his presence known. He’d peed on Jason’s new work boots. And that had been the beginning of their relationship.
    Jason settled into the chair behind his desk. Hekicked his feet up on top as Fred flopped down beneath, and called contractor number two, Mark Miller. Jason had known Mark since high school and they were now friendly competitors who occasionally had a beer together after work.
    Jason caught Mark on his cell phone and explained he’d be getting a request from a woman who’d need renovations in a short period of time.
    â€œNo problem, I can fit her in,” Mark assured him.
    â€œNo, you can’t. You’re too busy.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll bite. Why?”
    â€œBecause I want the job.”
    â€œThen why didn’t she just hire you?” Mark asked.
    Jason pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back in his swivel chair. Mark was like a damn girl. He wouldn’t do a favor without knowing the reasons behind it.
    â€œLet’s say we have a history and she’d rather not deal with me again,” Jason said.
    He recalled Lauren’s expression when she’d realized he was the answer to her renovation dilemma and held back a laugh. The attraction between them was so strong it was a live, tangible thing and it obviously frightened her. But she was leaving town in a little over a month. Why not indulge while she was here?
    â€œI’ll be damned, Corwin. You’re finally interested in women again. I was beginning to wonder if you’d taken a vow of celibacy.”
    â€œYou’re a laugh riot, Miller. So you’ll do it?”
    â€œWhy not. What did you say her name was again?”
    â€œLauren Perkins.”
    â€œDamn, you know how to pick ’em,” Mark said, laughing.