Read Online Only in My Dreams by Darcy Burke - Free Book Online Page A

flipped the computer around so he could talk them through the slides outlining his proposal. “I’ve reviewed your plans for the cottage, and we’ll have no problem meeting the August deadline for the wedding.” They’d informed him their brother-from-another-mother, Derek Sumner, would be getting married there. “In fact, my schedule puts the end date right around the first of August.”
    Hayden studied the hard copy of Dylan’s schedule. “Looks great.”
    â€œI also included a mock-up of a schedule for phases two and three.” All three pairs of eyes looked at him in surprise. “I know you aren’t hiring for that yet, but it doesn’t hurt to get a leg up on the competition, does it?” He smiled, his gaze lingering on Sara, who quickly averted her eyes to his laptop.
    â€œVery enterprising of you.” Hayden nodded. “We’ll take a look, thanks.”
    â€œWe’re really only hiring for phase one right now, though,” Sara said, the familiar tone of her voice gliding over him.
    â€œI get that, but think of how smooth things could be if you hired us to do all of it. We’d be here from the beginning, and we’d know all the ins and outs.”
    Tori took the presentation back from Hayden and flipped to where he’d run hypotheticals for phases two and three.
    â€œSince I don’t know exactly what you have planned, I just made some estimates,” he explained.
    Tori glanced up at him. “We don’t know what we have planned yet either. I’ve been focusing on phase one. I’ll start drafting plans for phase two, the restaurant and brewpub combo, after we start demo on the house.”
    They were converting the church portion of the property into the restaurant. Dylan’s schedule was built around that renovation and also adding on the brewing facility to the small chapel that, in his vision, would be a great expanded bar for the restaurant—a sort of hybrid brewpub. “Well, my schedule is adjustable. I just wanted to show you that we can handle larger, commercial scale.”
    Hayden smiled at him, seeming impressed. “Great to know.”
    Tori nodded in agreement. She flipped back to the front of the book. “This phase-one proposal looks great. I think you’ve got a terrific grasp on what we’re trying to do, and it certainly looks as though you have the right team to deliver the project. Plus, you’re under budget, which is most attractive of all.”
    â€œIf you were awarded phases two and three, would this be your first large-scale commercial project?” Sara asked. She glanced at him, but for the most part kept her gaze fixed on his laptop.
    â€œIt would, yes,” Dylan said. “We’ve done several smaller build-outs, as you can see, but this will be my first job as general contractor over a large project.”
    â€œI see.” Sara sounded doubtful.
    Dylan wondered if her skepticism stemmed from his lack of experience or from their one-night stand. No, that wasn’t fair. She wouldn’t judge him because of that. It had been mutual and her idea.
    â€œI understand your hesitation,” he said slowly, trying to choose the right words to win them over. “You might get a more qualified and experienced bid, but you won’t find a crew who will work harder or people who will care about this project the way you do. This is our town, and this property will be a signature location. We’ll do everything to deliver superior work.”
    â€œA very compelling argument,” Tori said. “I love that you guys are local. You know Ribbon Ridge and how to make this part of the community.”
    Sara gave a slight nod, but any other reaction was impossible to read.
    Hayden watched her for a moment then turned to Dylan. “You’ve given us a lot to think about. Thanks for coming. We’ll be making a decision—on phase one—very