Love Is Always Write Volume 4

association.
    Dinah sighed. "Too bad about Liam though, that boy is hot ," she said, fanning herself with her fingers, a dreamy smile spreading on her face. "Never would've thought he'd grow like that, you know? He was such a scrawny little guy."
    Just then, the bell over the door chimed and Dinah stood up. "Better go get ready for the rush-hour. It's almost noon."
    Kevin sat still for a moment; processing the very fast, but very interesting gossip Dinah had just fed him. He'd known about Benny's sexuality and he was glad that Nancy seemed to be doing okay, but Liam? Why couldn't he remember a guy called Liam?
    A couple dragging a whiny kid behind them sat in the booth next to his, while a crew of hungry construction workers settled on the high counter chairs. Rush hour. Noon. If he hurried now, he'd maybe catch an hour of quiet back at the house. Muscle Man had to take a break, right?
    He snapped his laptop shut, stuffed the receipts back in the bag and walked up to the counter.
    "How much do I owe you, Dinah?" he asked, fishing out his wallet.
    "Dollar fifty," she said while taking down orders. "You eaten any?"
    Kevin's stomach growled in reply. The smell of grease and bacon was already filling the air.
    "I'll take a piece of that cherry pie," he said, gesturing at one of the pies on the counter.
    "Two pieces, one on me. You look too skinny for your own good, Kevy. These ain't like your momma made 'em, Lord knows I've tried copying her recipe, but they're good enough," she said, moving like an octopus around the counter taking orders, serving food and working the register at the same time. "You ever get the recipe from her, you let me know."
    "It's a family secret," he said, lips twitching up in a smile as Dinah handed him a white Styrofoam box. "I'll need a receipt for that."
    ****
    The guy was still drilling a hole through the earth as Kevin neared the house. He probably wasn't keeping an eye on the clock, though in Kevin's experience, a construction worker's stomach was an excellent timekeeper.
    He jumped when Kevin poked him in between the shoulder blades. He'd removed the vest, not surprisingly with the hot sun beaming down. Loud rock music boomed as the guy pushed his earmuff speakers up on his helmet and turned to face Kevin.
    "It's noon, aren't you taking a break?"
    The guy furrowed his brow and looked at his watch. "Not for another hour." He had the same drawl Dinah did, but unlike Dinah he made it sound good.
    "An hour? What kind of messed up work schedule do you have? You start drilling at seven in the morning and don't take a break until one?"
    "Had a big breakfast," the guy answered with a sexy smile on his lips. The milky-white teeth shone bright in his tanned face, but it was his long dimples that had Kevin staring.
    Sun-streaked brown hair rained down to his shoulders, as he removed his helmet. Kevin clutched his laptop when the guy unbuttoned the first three buttons on his shirt and pulled it over his head. Dear God, he was built like Jason Momoa in Stargate Atlantis – not, heaven forbid, Jason Momoa in Conan the Barbarian . Broad pecs, rounded biceps, cut abs … All well defined without being overdone.
    As Muscle Man turned to put away his helmet, Kevin noticed the glistening sweat on his back. A pearly drop slithered down his spine into his …
    Kevin gave himself a mental shake. "Uh, so you're taking a break now?"
    "Nope."
    The guy turned to face Kevin, wiping his face on the cement dusted shirt before tossing it into the van. That's when the van's logo caught Kevin's eye: Samson & Gray Constructions. Jackpot!
    Steeling himself, Kevin smirked and cocked an eyebrow. "Actually, I'd like to talk to your boss."
    Muscle Man laid the jackhammer by the fence and sauntered over to Kevin with a shovel in hand. "You're talking to him."
    "Um, you're not Charlie," said Kevin, eyeing the shovel warily.
    "Charlie's my partner," said the guy, stopping within Kevin's personal space. "I'm Liam."
    Shit. That's Liam? Dinah was right, he's huge, hot ... and apparently gay. Why couldn't he remember this guy? He'd definitely remember someone like him.
    Kevin's tongue darted out to wet his lips as he reminded himself of his purpose. One more day and he could leave this dusty town and go marinate on the beach. "Look, I'm doing a tax audit for your company. I really need peace and quiet for the rest of the day. There's no way I can work under these conditions."
    Liam snorted, fighting a smile before he spoke. "You're