Page 21 of Price of Paradise

They spent the rest of the afternoon and evening teasing and playing. It would be a night he’d never forget.

Chapter Eight

“So, you just let her go?”

“Damn it, Jake, it’s not that simple.” Gunner shot from the chair and began to pace. Since he’d returned from Miami he’d kept the office closed and chose to work from home instead. It wouldn’t be the same if Mae wasn’t at her desk. Every morning she’d greeted him with a hot cup of coffee and a smile. It’d been the brightest part of his day, he realized now.

“Explain to me how letting that woman slide through your fingers is a good thing. Explain that?”

He stared down at his brother, willing him to understand. “She wanted time to think. I can’t force her into a relationship.”

Jake threw a hand in the air. “You came back on Sunday. It’s Wednesday. And she hasn’t reached out?”

“No,” Gunner bit out, staring at his phone and willing it to ring. “And she has the rest of the week off. She’s due to go back to work on Monday.”

Jake whistled low. “Question is, will she be your assistant or your girlfriend?”

“Yeah, that seems to be the big question.” Another thought occurred. “Maybe it’s for the best if she gives me the brush off.”

“Bullshit,” Jake muttered. “That woman is the best thing that ever happened to you, bro.”

He cursed under his breath, frustrated that Jake was right. “I’m just like Dad, Jake,” he confessed, voicing his concerns. “We both know it. I’d end up making Mae miserable.”

Jake snorted. “Where are you getting that nonsense from?”

“Everyone always said it growing up,” he groaned. “Youremember how many times Uncle Frank said that? Like it was a good thing or something.”

“That’s not how Uncle Frank meant it,” Jake said, shaking his head. “You and Dad looked alike, sure. You even have his knack with figures, but that’s where the similarities end.”

“Don’t forget merciless,” Gunner argued, glaring at his brother. “You know it’s true.”

Jake rubbed his jaw, as if giving the notion some thought. “In business, maybe. But not with your family or friends. I’m not just blowing smoke up your ass here. I’ve known you my entire life, don’t forget. You aren’t anything like Dad.”

Jake’s praise gave him hope, but hope could be dangerous. “What if—”

“No what-ifs. You have Mom’s big heart. You always have.”

Gunner started to question his brother further, but his phone chimed. He grabbed it off the coffee table with embarrassing speed, then entered the code, unlocking it. Mae’s name popped onto the screen.

“Is it her?” Jake asked, leaning closer.

Gunner nodded, then tapped the messaging app. The words on the screen tore a string of curses from him. He turned and headed for the door, but his brother grabbed him by the shoulder, pulling him to a halt.

“Whoa, where are you going?”

Gunner turned his phone around to show Jake the text. His brother read it aloud:

I THINK IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA IF I TOOK A LITTLE MORE TIME OFF. I CAN CONTACT THE AGENCY TO SEE IF VIOLA IS AVAILABLE TO FILL IN FOR ME.

“Uh, okay, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, Gunner.”

“Bullshit it’s not,” he argued. “She’s trying to leave me.I’m not letting her off that easily.”

“Don’t go to her like this,” Jake warned. “You’re too worked up.”

Gunner forced his rage back into its cage, then replied, “I’m not going to do anything stupid, damn it, but if she wants to quit, then she can damn well face me.”

“Yeah, okay, but maybe don’t bust down her door or do anything that’ll get you arrested."

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