She’d never been with a man who was so free about how he felt. Even Toby had been less forthcoming at the beginning of their relationship, to the point that she had to drag everything out of him. Not Alex. If he thought it or felt it, he said it, which she appreciated. That quality made it easy for her to know where she stood with him.

“Still there?”

“Yes.”

“Am I overwhelming you with my bluntness?”

“Not at all. I was just thinking that I rather like knowing where I stand with you.”

“You’re right up at the top of my list, babe. We’re good for tonight?”

“We’re good.”

“I’m literally counting the minutes.”

“So am I. I’ll see you at seven.”

“See you then, and tell Paul I’ll take care of the Gregorys.”

“I will.” Jenny waited for him to end the call. “You’re supposed to hang up now.”

“I don’t want to.”

He made her melt when he said things like that. “You have work to do, and so do I.”

“I know.” Still he didn’t hang up.

“I’m going now.”

“Not yet.”

“Alex…”

“Jenny…”

She sighed with pleasure and exasperation and anticipation—so many things she hadn’t felt in such a long time. “The store phone is ringing. I’ve got to go, or I’ll get in trouble with my bosses.”

“All right. If you’re going to be that way about it. Talk to you later.”

“Yes, you will.” Jenny ended the call with him and grabbed the ringing phone on the desk. “Martinez Lawn & Garden.”

“Finally, a person answers the phone there.”

That was the first of many calls she handled from disgruntled customers. She apologized to each of them for the delay in hearing back from the company, assured them they were on the schedule and promised to call in the next couple of days with more definite times to expect the landscapers.

She talked to Paul at least six times about some of the more unhappy situations and helped him to come up with a schedule for their work force that addressed the angriest customers first. By the time Paul arrived at six to help her close the store, Jenny had a splitting headache and was in bad need of a drink, but at least she felt she’d made a worthwhile contribution.

“Did you have a good day, dear?” Paul asked with a smile and eye roll.

“It was positively awesome.”

“Sorry you got hit with a pile of shit on your first official day. I’ve been avoiding the voice mail for a while now.”

“No, really?” Jenny said, grinning. “I never would’ve guessed that.”

“You were a very good sport, and I greatly appreciate it.”

“No problem. But you offer hazardous duty pay, right?”

“Does beer count as hazardous duty pay?”

“Tonight it does.”