Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 43102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Whatever the hell that means.
Mostly, I think he likes being an asshole.
Sitting in my car, I start the engine and flip the AC on full blast, checking my phone while I wait for the air to cool down.
First, I do a quick search for the guys to see if they have social media pages.
Spoiler alert: they do. Although neither is terribly active on their accounts. But there is a photo from about a month ago of the guys standing in front of the boat, holding hands and grinning at the camera.
God, they’re sexy. And they look so good together. I love that they’ve never made me feel like a third wheel. Sure, I’ve only known them for a couple of days, but they didn’t make me feel like I was intruding on their relationship. They even asked me to stay.
And yeah, that made me run. Because being independent is important to me, and I don’t want to get excited, fall in love with them, and have them break my heart when they get tired of me. They’re clearly soulmates, so where in the hell would I fit into that?
I wouldn’t.
So it’s best to keep my distance and remember to guard my heart. However, looking through their photos, I can’t help but miss them, remembering how good it felt to be around them. To be held by both of them.
The Alex sandwich thing really is the best.
After I’ve scrolled through my social media for a good ten minutes, I realize that the air in the vents is still warm.
“Shit.” I rest my forehead on the steering wheel and then remember that I could take it to Brooks Blackwell’s garage and see Gabe at the same time.
The garage is close to downtown, so I can walk to Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co. and get some caffeine, browse through Billie’s bookstore, and even set up a workspace there, allowing me to work in a cool spot rather than my hot apartment.
With that decided, I roll down all the windows and drive into town and over to the garage and pull into a spot out front before walking inside.
Brooks glances my way and gives me a half grin as he walks over to me. A half grin is a full-on smile for the grumpy mechanic.
“Hey, Alex,” he says, wiping his hands on a rag that already looks dirty. “What can I do for you?”
My eyes skim the area, looking for Gabe, as I answer him.
“My car’s check engine light has been on for a few weeks, and this morning, the AC decided to die on me.”
“Not a convenient time for that,” he says with a nod. “We can work it in today, but it probably won’t be until this afternoon.”
“Oh, there’s no rush. I walk almost everywhere anyway.”
Gabe comes sauntering around a Jeep, a wrench in his hand. When he sees me, his gorgeous brown eyes darken, and he walks my way. My heart stutters. How in the hell am I supposed to keep my guard up against that? For fuck’s sake, it should be illegal for him to look like that. He’s in faded, worn blue jeans with a black T-shirt, the sleeves of which hug his biceps, showing off every ripple, every vein.
It’s suddenly hot in here.
“Good morning,” Gabe says, looking me up and down. I’m just in a blue sundress today, nothing fancy, but the way he licks his lower lip, he obviously likes what he sees.
“Hey. I’m dropping my car off to you guys.”
Brooks’s eyebrow wings up as he watches our exchange, and I simply smile at him.
“Good. I’ll get it back to you later today,” Gabe says.
“Just call me and I’ll come pick it up,” I reply, but Gabe’s already shaking his head.
“I’ll bring it to you,” he says simply.
“I’m going back to work,” Brooks announces. “It’s always good to see you, Alex.”
“You too, Brooks. Thank you.”
Gabe’s lips twitch as Brooks walks away.
“I think you’re going to get questions after I leave.”
“Nah, Brooks isn’t one for gossip.” He shrugs. “But if he asks, I’ll tell him the truth.”
“And what’s the truth?”
“That I am one lucky son of a bitch.” He grins when I snort, then shakes his head. “Fuck, I want to touch you, but I’m a mess right now.”
“No dirtying up this dress. I’m walking over to get some coffee and see Billie. You have a good day.”
“I’ll see you this afternoon,” he replies. “Be careful out there.”
I blow him a kiss, then leave the garage and walk the few blocks to the coffee shop. I’m a sweaty mess by the time I get there, and I sigh in relief when I walk through the door and the cool air washes over me.
“Holy hell, it’s hot out there.”
Millie, my sister-in-law and the owner of this coffee shop, grins over at me from behind the counter. Standing in front of her is my brother, Holden. No one else seems to be around.