Page 110 of The Closed Off Captain

Gunner knocks his cap off his head. “Boys,” Mrs. Coftman says.

“Why are you here?” Gunner asks.

“What he means is, we’re so glad you stopped in. Right?” I glance up at Gunner.

“Sure,” he says dryly.

“I’m participating in a trial for a drug they’re testing for type two diabetes. We figured we’d just stop in. Of course, if you would ever tell me anything, I would have realized you had overnight company.”

“Oh, no; that’s not...” I look up at Gunner. “I mean, we were up late into the night—”

“That’s okay, Chloe. We don’t need details; we get the gist of it.” I could die of mortification right here on the spot. I turn to Gunner with wide eyes, but he’s trying not to laugh. I decideright then and there that I'm going to murder him and bury his body in the backyard.

“Anyway, we have to go, so we’re not late,” she continues.

Gunner turns serious. “Do you need me to do anything?”

“I’ve got it,” Greyson says as they walk towards the front door. “You enjoy your day. Get some sleep, since you didn’t get much last night.”

“Seriously!” I throw my hands up, and Greyson laughs and ducks out the door.

Mrs. Coftman hugs me tightly. “I’m so looking forward to another woman in the family. Finally.”

Gunner’s hand runs up and down my spine. “Mom, let Chloe go.”

She pulls back and wipes her eyes. “I’m just so happy.”

I look at Gunner in alarm, but he doesn’t seem to be worried about his mother’s tears. “See ya, Sis,” Greyson calls out as he bounds down the steps.

We wave and watch them go. Gunner steps behind me and puts an arm around my waist and pulls me back against his chest. “Can I just say how good it feels to finally be able to do this?”

I smile at his words. “Is your mom okay?”

“She’s a hugger and a crier. You get used to it after a while.”

I’m not sure how long we stay that way. Eventually, we head back inside and go about our day. Gunner exercises, and I make eggs and turkey bacon for him and grab a coconut milk yogurt from his refrigerator and top it with a few banana slices and some strawberries for me. The rest of the day is peaceful and passes quicker than I would like. I stay busy working, while Gunner watches game footage. We order in for dinner and talk for a while before we both get back to work. Honestly, I can’t remember a more peaceful day.

I finally shut my laptop around ten. “I’ve got to go to bed,” I say around a yawn.

He stands up and puts out a hand to me and pulls me to my feet. “What’s tomorrow look like for you?” I ask as we head toward the back rooms.

“I was going to go with you to Grandma May’s if that’s good with you,” he says with a glance down at me.

“She would love that.” I lean my head on his arm as we walk. A huge yawn escapes me, and he chuckles.

“Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” He gives me a chaste kiss, and I slip into my room, thinking that Gunner is just about perfect.

Sunday passes in the blink of an eye, and so do the next two weeks. Gunner helped me pack most of my stuff and move it to his house. I left all the furniture and pretty much everything that wasn’t clothing, personal items, or cosmetics. I turned over the reins of my house to a realtor, who is in the process of selling my house. I haven't had a chance to look at anything yet, but Gunner keeps telling me not to worry about it. As soon as my schedule is free, my realtor tells me she’ll take me to look at some houses. Today is game day. I’m busy typing away when Gunner walks into my office.

“Hey, I’m just finishing up,” I tell him as I finish the draft I’m working on. When I finish, I close my laptop and stand up. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He puts a box of food on my desk and doesn’t waste a moment before pulling me into his arms. I lean against the wall of muscle and try not to lose my mind that Gunner is hugging me. I never thought I’d see the day. “How’s your day going?” he rumbles against my ear.

“Busy. How’s yours going?”

“Same. I just have a few minutes, and then I have to go. But can you do a working lunch? I wanted you to do a favor for me.” I find myself getting lost in his eyes.

“Sure. What’s up?”

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