Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“Everything at the bar is quiet, as in no issues,” Maddox assured them.
“Not here to check on you,” Zach said. “We’re both killing time until lunch.”
Though Maddox nodded as if he understood his boss’s life, he’d given up on having a woman to share things with. While working in the city, making bank and mingling with the wealthy, women threw themselves at him. Even having a girlfriend didn’t deter the more determined female. But Maddox learned fast. He never knew if a woman was interested in him as a person or his money in the bank. His ex had merely put the last nail in the coffin of relationships.
Once he’d returned to his working-class roots, he'd discovered the same kind of woman in the Hamptons wanted to slum with a hot bar manager—not his words—but would never consider a man like him as a life partner. He was jaded and didn’t want any woman for more than a night. Not everyone could have what his parents shared.
Maddox jolted with a start, realizing he’d drifted off in thought while Remy and Zach were discussing the New York Yankees and soon, all three of them segued into how football pre-season was starting soon.
“Knock knock,” a familiar voice said, as Hadley strode in, her hair in a casual ponytail. No makeup, like Gabby. Apparently he and Zach had the same type. Wait. Fuck. He shouldn’t be thinking of Gabby as his type.
“Look who I found at the gallery.”
As if Maddox’s thoughts had conjured her, Gabby strode in behind Hadley, holding a handful of shopping bags. She’d mentioned going shopping and he’d assumed she’d pick up a few things to get by while she stayed with him. Apparently figuring out her life included spending lots of daddy’s money.
Maddox narrowed his gaze. “How do you know each other?” He stared at his houseguest, whose face was flushed and her eyes bright. Something had her excited and he was curious.
“We don’t. I was in the gallery to apply for a job and Rhonda, the owner, went into the back to get an application—” Gabby began, taking him off guard.
A job? Maybe he’d underestimated her determination to make choices and be on her own.
“And…” Hadley grinned, happy to pick up the story. “I walked in to ask about a painting in the window. Gabby started telling me about the artist I was interested in. Then Rhonda returned—”
“And I had no idea she’d been listening, but she walked out and offered me a job on the spot!” Gabby dropped her bags on the floor in front of her, walked up to where Maddox sat behind his desk and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “I got a job!”
Her excitement was infectious, her squeal adorable, and her desire to share the news with him caused a surprising rush of happiness for her. Over her shoulder, he met Zach’s shocked stare. Shit. The last thing he wanted to do was answer questions about his relationship with Gabby. Hell, they didn’t have a relationship and he’d only known her for a day. Before he could peel her off him, she stepped back.
“Congratulations,” Remy said.
“Thank you!”
Hadley walked over to Zach who had risen from his seat. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss that was awkward for everyone watching. Those two were in love. After almost a decade apart and a lot of drama not long ago that brought Hadley back into his life, Maddox understood their need to be close now.
After they ended the kiss, Hadley glanced from Gabby to Zach. “Gabby, this is my husband Zach, co-owner of this bar. And this is his partner, Remy Sterling.”
Gabby laughed, her cheeks still flushed pink. “I assumed he was your…something after that kiss.”
Hadley ducked her head. “We’re still in the honeymoon phase of our relationship.”
Gabby smiled and raised a hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you both.”
They both nodded, acknowledging her.
“That doesn’t explain how you two ended up here together.” Maddox said, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.
Hadley shrugged. “When we walked out, we headed in the same direction. Again, we started talking and…here we are.” She shot him a concerned look. “Something wrong?”
Maddox shook his head. He was just overwhelmed by the whirlwind that was Gabrielle Davenport.
“Ready to go grab a bite?” Zach asked Hadley.
She nodded. “Ready. Remy?”
He walked towards them. Like Maddox, Remy was single but the three of them were a tight group. “Let’s go get a table,” Remy said, then turned, glancing at Maddox. “How do you two know each other?” He glanced between Maddox and Gabby, with a smirk on his lips.
As Maddox tried to find the best explanation, Gabby answered for him. “I had some…personal issues, came to the bar, got a little too drunk and Maddox was nice enough to let me sleep at his place. I can’t go home yet, so again, he’s being such a gentleman letting me stay longer.”