The Hustler Next Door – Polson Falls Read Online K.A. Tucker

Categories Genre: Contemporary, Funny, Romance Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
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“You don’t even feel the least bit guilty about trying to hustle a sweet old man?”

He huffs. “I was not trying to hustle him—”

“Stop bullshitting me.”

Garrett folds his arms. I can’t help but track the move, the way the shirt’s material stretches across hard muscle. I don’t want it to be flattering. I hate him.

I pick at another fry to distract my thoughts.

“Help yourself.” He pushes the plate across the table toward me.

“That fridge you bought from us. Who was that for?”

“For me, like I told you.”

“And why did you need Todd’s help to move it upstairs?”

“Because refrigerators are heavy.”

I pause mid bite. “Wait, you’re telling me that you’re living in one of those apartments?”

He runs his tongue over his teeth as if deciding how to answer. “For the next few months, while I’m getting the project up and running, I might want a place to crash on occasion while I’m in town. This is convenient. Besides, the apartment’s vacant, so why not?”

“Those places are shitholes.”

“Not as bad as the closest motel. Like I said, it’s temporary, and I’m not that picky.”

“Yeah, I can see that.” My gaze drags over his shirt, the silver chain around his neck, his watch, and the wool coat and cashmere scarf hanging on the hook beside him. I’m no expert, but none of them look like department store specials. I’ll bet his shoes don’t have a speck of salt on them. And his hair … are those salon highlights? They seem too perfect to be gifted by the sun. I never noticed that before, too enthralled with the entire package to pick it apart.

Disappointment pricks my heart, remembering how easily he made me feel good that day—how he made me forget—but I steel my resolve. I like being single, anyway. “This Revive Project … what is it?”

“A mixed residential and commercial building. Storefronts and two floors of condominiums.”

“Condos on Main Street? They’re not going to allow that.”

“You mean, the town council? They’ve given preliminary approvals.”

“No rezoning requirements,” I mumble, more to myself. I have to share these details with Shirley. She’ll lay an egg when she hears about this.

The corners of his mouth curve upward. “Were you hoping for a public meeting?”

“Why would I want that?” I feign casualness.

He shrugs. “Some people get it in their heads that they can stop a project from happening.”

“And what? You’re saying people’s opinions don’t matter?”

“No, I’m saying that if a town council wants a project to go through, they’ll find a way to make it happen.”

“And if residents don’t want a project to go through, they’ll find a way to stop it.”

“Like what?” Amusement laces his tone.

I shrug.

“What could it be? Let me see.” He steeples his fingers in front of his face. It’s an obnoxious move. “Of course, there’s the town historical building ordinances.”

“Valid for a building built in the early 1900s.”

“That hasn’t been deemed a historical landmark to date, which is an extensive process. A building with no real special historical, cultural, or aesthetic value.”

“Not to you.”

“This project is going forward because it’s what’s good for the town.” There is no waver in his voice.

“We’ll see.” I bite my tongue against the urge to bring up Shirley and the heritage committee.

We get caught in a staring contest that would make the average person cagey, his eyes boring into mine as if he’s mining for private and intimate secrets. If he thinks I’ll yield, he will be disappointed. I’m the type who will sit in my car in a parking lot just so the person who honked for me to hurry up and pull out won’t get my spot.

I make a point of unzipping my hoodie.

It works as a suitable distraction, Garrett’s gaze dropping to my chest and the fitted custom-made T-shirt adorning it. “Did you make that just for me?”

“You think that highly of yourself? No, I had it made for every jerk with a penis I come across. Never expected it to be applicable to so many.”

“Classy.”

“Hey, you’re the one gawking at my breasts,” I say loudly, earning a few looks from around us.

“Glad you’re not the bitter type.” He waves down his waitress, making a signature sign for her to bring his check. “I don’t understand why you’re so upset about us replacing that eyesore. It’s not like you have long ties to the place.”

“It’s not the eyesore, it’s the people you’re hurting in the process and your callous methods.”

“Did you see the offer I made to your boss?”

“Before I tore the paper in half for him? Nah, didn’t bother reading it.”

His lips twist. “There’s another home improvement store coming to Polson Falls.”

I falter over the sudden change in direction. “You mean besides Home Depot?”

“Yeah. That new construction over on Maple Drive. It’s going to be another chain store.”

“How do you know?” Everyone’s been speculating which retailers might be moving in there, but no one knows for sure.


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