“I did, and she has grown even more.” I take my niece over to my desk and grab one of the toys I keep in my desk drawer for her. She instantly takes it and shoves it in her mouth, happily gnawing on the plastic teether. “Before I know it, she’ll be in college.”
“See? We better hurry and give her some siblings,” Harrison says as he comes out of his office and wraps his arm around my sister’s waist. That familiar ping of longing sweeps in, reminding me that my love life has been barely above subpar lately. Okay, most of my life, but who’s keeping track?
“We’ve got time,” Gwen says, placing a kiss on her husband’s cheek.
“We’ve got time right now,” he replies, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. “You don’t mind watching her for fifteen more minutes, right, Gabby?”
“Ew,” I reply, trying not to think about my sister and brother-in-law doing the nasty.
“Oh, it’s definitely not ew. In fact, your sister does this thing with her—”
“My God, stop talking right now!” I holler, startling my niece. “Sorry, baby girl, but Mommy and Daddy were being all gross and touchy-feely.”
“Touchy-feely is how she got here,” Harrison quips with a smirk.
“This is a horrible working environment,” I state as I lightly bounce Sophia on my leg.
“It is?” he asks, his face completely somber. Harrison takes his business very seriously and wouldn’t want to jeopardize what they’ve built over the last several years. Especially after the whole Gina fiasco, he’s all about making sure things run smoothly.
“No, I was teasing,” I tell him honestly.
In fact, I love my job. My brother-in-law is a great boss. Before I started here, I was a travel agent in town, working for a husband-and-wife team. There were five agents in one office, but as the travel industry started to shift last winter, cuts had to be made. My job was one of those cuts. It just so happened that Gina went all nutty at the same time I lost my job, so I was able to offer up my organizational and time management services to Harrison at just the right time.
“What’s this?” my sister asks as her daughter pulls my finger into her mouth.
I glance at what she’s looking at and realize immediately what it is.
The letter.
In my haste to pick up after lunch, I forgot to put the letter back in my purse.
“Gabby?” my sister asks, giving me a concerned look as she hands the letter to her husband.
“Oh, that. Yeah, so funny thing happened. My building was sold and I have to move.”
“You have to move?” she mimics, her eyes wide with concern.
“Yeah. By Sunday.”
“Sunday?”
“Are you going to repeat everything I say?”
“Why are you just now telling us about this? This letter is dated weeks ago?” Harrison asks, setting it back down on my desk.
“Well,” I start, trying to adjust myself in my seat, “I’ve been looking. In fact, I found a few places for rent,” I add brightly.
“Yeah? Where?” Gwen asks.
“Uhh, well, the one I’m probably going to get is the building over on Yount,” I mumble, intentionally.
“Yount? Like… by the jail?” Gwen is about to panic.
“It’s fine, sis. I can handle it.”
“Handle it?” Gwen turns to Harrison and asks, “Didn’t they have that big meth bust there last week?”
He nods. “Yeah, everyone was joking because it was directly across the street from the jail. The cops didn’t have to go far.” Then his eyes narrow on me. “You’re going to live in the meth house?”
“Well, no, of course not. The apartment I saw was meth free.”
“No. Absolutely not. You can’t live in that place, Gabby. You can move in with us,” Gwen says adamantly.
“Are you kidding? You have a new baby and you’re newlyweds. No way am I moving in with you two. Besides, your place isn’t big enough for a third adult, even on a temporary basis. No. Ain’t happening,” I demand, not giving an inch.
“Well, I admit, it wouldn’t be very comfy, but it beats you living in the meth house.”
Sighing, I glance down at the letter. “I admit it’s not ideal, but there aren’t a lot of choices in my price range. It would only be temporary, guys. And I’ll be fine. I took that kickboxing class a few years ago, remember? Besides, I’m an adult, capable of making my own decisions. I’ll figure it out,” I add with a reassuring smile.
They both look at me, not really liking my options, but neither of them says anymore. “Just promise us you’ll call if you need help. Oh, do you need help moving? Harrison can help,” my sister volunteers with a big smile.
He narrows his eyes at his wife, but to me says, “Yes, of course, I’ll help. Anytime.”
“Thanks, guys. But I’ll be fine.”
And I will. I just have to keep repeating that motto over and over again, even as the clock winds down to eviction day.
I’ll be fine.
I’ve got this.
Chapter 2
Chase
“What’s wrong?” I walk up to what seems to be a tense conversation. All I heard was Gabby saying that she’ll be fine. Is she sick? “What did I miss?” I ask, bending to scoop my niece out of Gabby’s arms. She coos up at me, and another little piece of my heart breaks off in her tiny little hands. I’ve never spent a lot of time around kids, babies especially, but this little girl is hard to resist. When I offer her my finger, she smiles at me, and I turn my attention to Gabby. Her green eyes, much like her sister’s, tell me all I need to know.
She doesn’t want me to know.
“Well?” I ask her.
“Nothing. You didn’t miss anything,” she says, looking away.
She’s lying. What the beautiful Gabrielle doesn’t realize is that I’ve spent years, yes years memorizing her. The sparkle of those green eyes, her laugh lines, the way she tries to pretend that she’s not attracted to me. I know her better than she knows herself.
A few months ago, when the crazy Gina was on the loose and before the restraining orders were in place, I tried to get her to stay with me. She refused, so I made myself at home on her couch. I hid it well that the thought of something happening to her made me crazy. Instead, I went with what we’re good at. Banter. I teased her mercilessly and spent my nights crunched up on her couch, wishing I was next to her in bed. I’m still working out the kinks in my neck, but it was worth it.
She was cranky as hell in the mornings. To me, she was too damn cute with her sleep-laced voice and tiny barely there pajamas to do the act any justice. Seeing that side of her, getting time with her just the two of us… I miss it.
“It’s more than nothing,” Gwen says, hands on her hips. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us.” I can hear the hurt and concern in her voice.
“Gabby.” My voice is stern and leaves no room for bullshit.
“This doesn’t involve you, Chase,” she responds, holding her head high and rolling those beautiful green eyes. She puts on a good front. I’ll give her that. Too bad for her I can see right through it.
“She’s moving,” Harrison says, filling me in.
“What?” I choke on the word. Swallowing hard, I try again. “What do you mean you’re moving? Where? When?” I fire off questions like a jealous lover. Jealous yes. Lover no. Not that I’m opposed to it. In fact, I’d like nothing more than to claim Gabby as mine. Problem is, she’s not ready yet. Until she is, we’ll continue this banter that’s more like foreplay. It’s the next best thing. It keeps all her attention and focus on me. At least when we’re in the same room.
“It’s no big deal.” Gabby sighs. “My building sold, so I have to move.”
“Where?”
“That’s the issue. She doesn’t know, and she has to be out by Sunday. Sunday!” Gwen says, exasperated.
“Pipe down, sister of mine. I have a few days to move. I told you I already found a place.”
“Where?”
I ask again, sounding like a broken fucking record.
“Oh, this should be good.” Harrison grins and settles against the wall, taking his wife with him.
“Traitor.” Gabby sticks her tongue out at him.
I can tell by my best friend’s reaction, I’m not going to like what she has to say. “Spill,” I tell her.
“It’s this cute little place just on the edge of town.” She’s evading the question.
“Right,” Gwen scoffs. “You know the place, Chase. The one that’s right across the street from the jail.”
Fuck that. “No.”
“What do you mean, no?” Gabby stands from her chair, but she barely reaches my shoulders. She’s a tiny thing.
“Do you really want me to dumb down the meaning of the word no for you? I thought you were smarter than that.” I can almost see the steam coming out of her ears, and there’s fire in her eyes.
“Listen you…” She glances down at Sophia in my arms and huffs out a breath. “Jerky McJerkface, I don’t need your blessing or your permission. I can choose to live wherever I want.” She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her breasts up in the V-neck shirt she’s wearing. Sometimes I think she does that shit on purpose, like she knows how she affects me.
“You’re not moving there.” No way in hell am I letting her live there.
“I can and I will.”
“Fine.”
“Fine?”
I shrug. “When is move-in day?” I ask her.
“Uh, I have to be out by Sunday,” she says cautiously.
“Great. However, this time, you either let me sleep in the bed with you or I’m bringing my own. I can set it up in the corner in the living room.”
“W-What? No. No way, Chase Callahan. You are not sleeping in my bed or in my apartment. Not happening.”
“Then find a new apartment.” There is no humor in my voice. My eyes bore into hers, and she knows I’m not kidding. She knows my words are not an empty threat, but a promise.
“Chase,” she says with a sigh. “I don’t have any other options. It will be temporary. Just until something else comes up.”
It’s rare to see this side of her. Resolved. Pulling my hand from Sophia’s grip, I reach out and grab Gabby’s, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Then I’ll be staying with you until that happens.”
“Gabby, you’re welcome to stay with us,” Harrison says. “Like Gwen said, it’s not an imposition.”
“No. No way. You need family time. I’m not staying with you.”
“Mom and Dad?” Gwen suggests.
“Really?” she asks her sister.
“Hey, it’s better than that place across from the jail,” Gwen says.
“Sure, says the girl who has a husband and baby girl and doesn’t need to move back in with Mom and Dad. No way. You know they’ll be tracking my every move. Nope. Can’t do it.”
I don’t know why this is an issue. She should stay with me. Having her in my house, close to me, that’s where she belongs. Convincing her of that is the problem. “Then stay with me. I have more than enough space. You can have your own room.” I watch as her eyes widen, and I’m waiting for the infamous roll that never happens.
“You know, Gabby, that’s not a bad idea,” Harrison says. “Besides, we’ve been working so much with all the new locations, and Chase is hardly ever home.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I can’t stay with you.”
“Why not?” Gwen and I ask at the same time.
“Because.”
“Come on, babe, you can do better than that.”
“I’m not your babe. I’m not your anything. I don’t want to be in your house with all your… floozies coming in and out. Ew.”
“First of all, there are no floozies,” I say as Sophia lets out a whine.
“She probably needs to be changed.” Gwen takes her from me, and with Harrison hot on her heels, they head down the hall to his office.
“Second, you could be,” I tell Gabby.
“Could be what?”
“My babe.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” she says, rolling her eyes. “Do you not already have enough notches on your bedpost?”
“Have you seen my bedpost, sweetheart?” The fire in her eyes is back, and I’m grateful. I hate the defeated look that was on her face.
“N-No.”
I take a step toward her. She backs against her desk, so I take another step. Not stopping until we’re toe-to-toe. “I’m not sure where you got this floozy information, but you need to check your facts.” Obviously, she’s not been paying attention. There hasn’t been a woman in my bed, or otherwise, for longer than I can remember. Not when all I think about is her.
Her hands land on my chest, I assume to try and push me away, but she just rests them there. “You’re Chase Callahan, God’s gift to women. I’ve seen you leave the bar with far too many. Don’t forget who you’re talking to here.”
“You see me leave with them, that’s the best you’ve got? So what? I’m a nice guy, making sure they get home or in a cab safe. I’m not fucking them.” Not that I couldn’t have fucked them. I just didn’t want to. It’s wrong to use them when all I’d be thinking about is her.
“Chase, come on, you can’t expect me to believe that.”
“I can, and I do. Your assumptions are wrong. You’re not even close. You tried that shit assuming I slept with Gina, twice I might add. Those women aren’t even my type.”
“What is your type?” she asks, leaning into me. I can feel the warmth of her body seeping into my skin.
“Brunette, about five foot five, big green eyes, and sassy as hell.” A blush instantly coats her cheeks. Lifting my hand, I run the pad of my thumb over the light coloring. “She’s feisty, loyal, and protective of those she loves.” She was mad as hell at Harrison and gave him the cold shoulder for a while, even after Gwen had accepted him back into her life. Gabby isn’t one to take shit, and if you hurt someone she cares about, look out because the claws are coming out. “She’s also stubborn as fuck and tries my patience on a daily basis.”
“Sounds like she’s more trouble than she’s worth,” she says softly, her green eyes locked on mine.
“Nah.” I cup her face in my hands. “She’s worth everything.” I’m leaning into her, and she’s gripping my shirt, our lips a breath apart. I could move just a fraction and I’d be kissing her. I’ve thought about the softness and the taste of her lips more times than I can count. “Stay with me. Please,” I whisper. “I need to know you’re safe.”
“W-Why?” she questions, her brows furrowing as if she really doesn’t understand it.
“Why? How about because you’re all I think about? How about the fact that if I know you’re there unprotected in that shithole, all I’ll do is worry about you?” I pause, debating on whether I should kiss her. I really want to kiss her. “What if I told you I like the idea of you being at my place, your things mixed with mine?” Her eyes widen, but she remains still, her hands gripping my shirt. Leaning in, I place my lips next to her ear. “How about just because I want you to?” I say, kissing just below her ear.
It’s a first for us. I’ve fantasized about my lips against her skin for years, and I’m at my breaking point. I’ve been biding my time, telling myself she wasn’t ready, but fuck that. I’m ready. I’ve been ready. Watching Harrison lose Gwen, only to win her back, and now with baby Sophia, I want more than just witty, flirty banter. I want that and so much more.
“Chase.” My name from her lips is almost a plea.
“Gabby,” I say, dropping both hands only to wrap them around her waist.
“W-What are you doing?”
“Holding you.”
“But… why?” she asks, her hands falling to her sides.
“Because I want to.”
“Oh.” She’s surprised, and I have to bite back my grin.
“Stay with me.”
“Chase, I can’t—”
I
pull her tighter. “You can. Come on, you can’t tell me staying at my place is less desirable than that shithole across from the jail.”
“It’s not that.”
“What is it?”
“This.” She steps out of my hold, and I let her. My arms falling at my sides. “I can’t do this, Chase. I can’t let you use your playboy charm on me. I refuse to fall for it.”
“You can’t be serious right now? Do I look like I’m playing a game to you?” I can’t seem to win with this girl.
“That’s just it. Players never do.”
“Gabby.” I sigh. “Tell me what it’s going to take to keep you from moving there. I don’t want you to live there, not when I have my place nice and cozy and safe on the other side of town. What do I have to do?”
She studies me, biting down on her bottom lip. I’m not against begging her if that’s what it takes. In fact, I’ll do just about anything to keep her safe. That she’s going to be living under my roof is just a bonus.
“We’re friends,” she says slowly. “That’s all we’ll ever be. You don’t even like me.”
“Did you not just hear a word I said?”
She rolls her eyes. “Trust me, I heard you. Saying words and meaning them are two different things.”
“Fine,” I grit out. “Friends.”
“Friends.” She nods. “It will only be for a few weeks at most. I just need more time to find a place. I get my own room, with a lock on the door.”
“Jesus, Gabby. Are you afraid of me?” The thought sits heavy in my gut.
“No.” She’s quick to assure me. “I just think it’s for the best.”
“You’re willing to live in that shithole but insist on a lock on the bedroom door at my place? Unbelievable,” I say, running my hands through my hair. She tries my patience at every damn turn.
“This is a bad idea.” She reaches for her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling to accept the apartment.”
“No.” Reaching out, I take the phone out of her hands and toss it on the desk. “Fine, you can have a lock. You can have ten fucking locks if that’s what it takes.”
Fair Lakes Series Box Set Page 28