Unexpected

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After lunch, Mia asked him a million questions, took photos and measured everything. Henry helped her as much as she would allow. Basically he held one end of the tape measure. She was all business, jotting everything down on paper.

Once she was done, it was nearly 9 pm. They both plopped onto Henry's sofa.

"So," she said, grabbing her bag and placing all her tools inside. "Next, I'll put all the measurements into a software program, plan a few ideas for each room and get back to you. Sound good?"

She looked up to find Henry staring at her.

"Yes, I know I look a mess, but you don't need to stare."

"No," Henry said. "You don't look a mess. You look quite lovely actually."

Just then her stomach rumbled. She looked down and patted it. "I know, I know."

She looked at Henry. "Sometimes I get so into what I'm doing that I forget to eat."

Henry reached over and patted her stomach as well, sending tingles all over her.

Stop it Mia.

"Let's feed you," he said quickly moving his hand away and standing up.

He needed to put space between them before he did something he might regret, like kissing those soft looking lips of hers.

Shaking the thought from his mind, he went into the kitchen.

"You don't have to do that," Mia said from the other side of the island. "You're always feeding me," she laughed.

Henry stood across the island from her. "Maybe I'm trying to please you." His voice came out gravelly.

Mia's eyebrows shot up, but Henry collected himself.

"I mean, you did say you love food." It came out as a question.

To his relief, she laughed. "True, but honestly I'm more tired than hungry."

"Wore you out huh?"

Mia looked quizzically at him.

"Do you even realize your innuendos when you're saying them?"

"Oh God," he said, coming around the island. "I am so sorry. Sometimes I don't realize what I'm saying until after I've said it. Forgive me?"

Mia laughed at his genuine apology and puppy dog eyes.

"No worries. I do it all the time too. My ex..." she started then slammed her mouth shut.

Henry's curiosity got the best of him.

"You're ex what?"

"Nothing."

"Do you want to talk," he asked putting a hand over hers.

"No," she said harshly but then softened her tone. "It's nothing really. So would you mind giving me a lift back to my car?"

"Not at all. I'm sorry today took so long," he said sheepishly.

Mia went and got her things.  "It's fine. Actually you may be my favorite client."

"Really," he smiled. "Why's that?"

"I don't usually have someone to hold the tape measure."

"Mia, you wound me. Am I just an object to you?"

Mia coughed "innuendo" which made them both laugh.

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