Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
I smiled at the woman who was such an important part of my life. She was caring and giving. Warm. She loved hard and took care of those she made part of her life. I was lucky to be included. I leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
“Thanks, Charly. What would I do without you?”
She beamed as she slipped off the stool. “You’d be lost.” She paused. “She’s coming in, by the way.”
“Oh?”
“I called and asked her to. Maxx wants to talk to her a bit too. She should be here soon.”
“Okay. I’ll watch over Theo.”
“His mother too, I’m sure,” she teased.
I grinned as I watched her waddle away. I turned back to the computer, then shut it off. I wasn’t in the mood for modern technology. I needed to feel the pencil in my hand, watch the design come to life on paper.
Except, as I picked up the notepad, I noticed my earlier scribblings. I had written down Gabby’s name in several different ways. Changed the font, used her full name, different variations of it. Entwined it with mine.
I shook my head, huffing out in relief that Charly hadn’t seen this. She would have compared me to a schoolgirl crushing on a boy in her class and doodling his name in a love-sick, obsessed manner.
And dammit, she would have been right.
A while later, Charly texted me that Gabby was done for the day and would be leaving. I liked seeing her at the shop, although I knew she was there to learn and help Charly, so I stayed in my own space, only going out front to get Theo and say hello. She’d seemed a little shy and hesitant, and I put it down to all the people around us. I hoped she’d come to me but wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t. Disappointed, but not surprised.
Theo had sat with me, and I showed him how to adjust a carburetor. He had been so serious as I tweaked the one I was working on, explaining what I was doing, holding his hand within mine as I used the different tools and made the adjustments it needed. He asked a barrage of questions—smart ones, which somehow didn’t surprise me. He listened intently as I responded, and when we were done, I took him back to my area and showed him some drawings. He was enraptured again, asking more questions, which I was happy to answer.
I think we were both disappointed when Charly let me know it was time to leave.
I walked Theo back to the garage, stopping in the entrance at what I saw. Gabby was sitting on one of the chairs in the waiting room. Chase was sitting next to her, talking. On the other side of her was another mechanic, Ward, who seemed to be part of the conversation. All three were laughing over something. Brett leaned on the doorframe, his head tilted to the side, a grin on his lips.
What. The. Hell.
She didn’t come seek me out, was quiet with me, but she was having a great time with them. Laughing, chatting, looking far too sexy and beautiful to even be in their company. Did she not see the looks she was getting from Ward? The way he was eyeballing her? And what the fuck was Chase doing leaning in so close, as if sharing a secret?
The only person who should be sitting that close to her was me.
Dammit.
I stalked over, Theo behind me. Brett glanced over his shoulder, spying me, a wide grin breaking out on his face as he stepped back from the door.
“You boys on a break?” I snarled. “Looks like the docket is pretty damn full, and you’re sitting here, shooting the shit with Gabby?”
Gabby’s eyes widened in shock. Theo grabbed my jeans, staring up at me, his mouth a round, open O.
“Stefo,” he whispered. “You said a bad word. Two of them.”
“Sorry, little man,” I muttered.
Chase looked at me as if I were crazy. “I’m waiting on a confirmation to pick up a part. I was getting coffee and started talking to Gabby. I was telling her how much I liked the food at Ziggy’s the other night.”
“I don’t see a cup of coffee in your hand,” I replied, crossing my arms, knowing it made me look bigger. Scarier.
“It’s brewing,” Brett said, his voice low. “Take a step back, Stefano. Boys are just being friendly.”
“Too friendly.” I glared at Ward. “Ever hear of personal space? My lady doesn’t like to be crowded.”
He stood. “Your lady? Sorry, man. I was just telling her about the bad wings we had at the other bar. She was telling me which places to stay away from. That’s all.” He edged past me. “She talks really quietly. I had to lean close to hear her.”
“Listen better next time,” I snapped.