Maid for the Millionaire by Susan Meier Page B

party. So he’d hired someone to plan it for him.
    He’d moved beyond it as if it wasn’t a big deal. But the disappointment he’d felt in her lingered. Even now it reminded her that he knew they weren’t good for each other as a couple. They didn’t match. He wouldn’t want to start something with her any more than she’dwant to start something with him. No matter how sexually compatible they were, he wasn’t here to seduce her. She actually felt a little foolish for even thinking it.
    â€œA roof isn’t a one-man job. Even with a crew a roof takes a few days. At the very least a weekend.” He looked at Amanda. “But I’ll choose the crew with care.”
    Amanda looked at Liz.
    â€œWe’ll talk it over with Ayleen, but we can trust Cain. If he says he’ll figure out a way to keep all this confidential, he’ll do it.” When it came to work Cain was as good as his word. “Plus, if Cain’s okay with it, we’ll only work weekends and you can take the kids to the beach or something. Not be around. Just to be sure no one sees you.”
    Amanda nodded. “Okay.”
    â€œOkay.” Cain rose. “Let me take a quick look at all these things then I’ll make a trip to the building supply store.”
    Â 
    â€œToilets are fixed. Showers all work,” Cain said, wiping his hands on a paper towel as he walked into the kitchen.
    Amanda had made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch. Liz already sat at the table. Amanda was happily serving. He took a seat and Liz smiled at him. After walking through the house with him behaving like a contractor, not her ex-husband, not the man she shared unbelievable chemistry with, Liz was slightly annoyed with herself for even considering he was only here as part of a plan to seduce her. His work here might have begun as a way to thank her for caring for him, but now that he was here, he clearlywanted to do a good job. It almost seemed he’d forgotten their chemistry or that she had imagined his reaction as they stood in the hallway that morning.
    Which was good. Excellent. And took her back to her plan of behaving like his friend.
    â€œSo this afternoon we paint?”
    â€œI’d like to get the painting done before we put up new baseboards. With all the rooms that need to be painted, it’s going to take a few days. So it would be best if we started immediately after we eat.”
    â€œOkay.”
    Liz took a sandwich from the platter Amanda passed to her and handed it to Cain. Things were good. Relaxed. The more she was in his company this way, the more confident and comfortable she felt around him.
    â€œI’ll do the ceilings,” Cain said, taking three sandwiches. “You guys handle the walls.”
    Amanda grimaced. “I’m sorry. I scheduled a playdate for Joy. I didn’t realize you’d need me this soon.”
    â€œIt’s all right,” Liz said easily. “Cain and I will be fine.”
    She genuinely believed that, until Amanda and Joy left and suddenly she and Cain were alone with two gallons of paint, two paint trays and a few brushes and rollers. Why did fate always have to test her like this? Just because she’d become comfortable around him, that didn’t mean she had to be tested an hour after the thought had formed in her brain.
    â€œWhat’s the protocol on this?” she asked, nervously flitting away from him.
    â€œFirst, we put blue tape around the windows and doors and existing baseboards so we don’t get any paint where we don’t want it. Then I’ll do the ceiling and you do the walls.”
    He went out to his truck and returned with a roll of blue tape. Swiftly, without a second thought and as if he weren’t having any trouble being alone with her, he applied it on the wood trim around the windows.
    â€œWow. A person would never guess you hadn’t done that in about ten