Page 116 of Mr. Infuriating

There was no doubt in my mind that he’d been coming on to me before Beau arrived. But while they removed cabinets and I convinced myself sleeping with him again was a good idea, he’d decided just the opposite.

Talk about proof that we never would be on the same page.

After getting up later than my normal time and eating the rest of my cheesecake for breakfast, because frankly, I deserved it, I sent him a text.

Me: I need to pick up Jake and run some errands. The garage code is 1215. I’ll leave the door to the house unlocked. Please let me know what time you’ll be here tomorrow.

I set my phone down and ran upstairs to quickly get dressed. I wanted to get out of the house as soon as possible in case he decided to come early.

Although since he’d seemed as uncomfortable as I was last night after he’d rejected me, I’d be surprised if that was the case.

He did, however, give me the “You’re a great woman and will make some lucky man very happy someday. I hope you’ll always think of me as a friend,” speech, so maybe he would show up like nothing happened just to prove a point.

Yeah, fuck that.

I had enough friends.

It wasn’t like I wasn’t used to rejection. Hell, Troy hadn’t wanted to sleep with me since before Jake was born. I’d just thought with the signals Gabe was giving me, he was interested.

Maybe Beau had asked Gabe to meet at Flannigan’s when he’d walked his brother out, and he was going to find a new hookup.

Or maybe Beau had convinced him he could do better.

I mean, he wasn’t wrong. I’m sure there were plenty of prettier, more successful girls than me who’d love a chance at the hot Zaddy. I’d known that from the beginning.

My phone beeped as I headed toward the garage.

Gabe: I’m sorry I’ll miss you. I was hoping we could grab breakfast before I got started.

Me: Maybe another time.

Like when hell froze over.

Gabe: You should bring Jake to Brayden’s game. It’s at your school at noon.

Me: I don’t think we’ll be done with errands by then but thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.

And by that, I meant,I’ll avoid you as much as possible tomorrow.

My pride had already taken a blow by accepting his charity with the cabinets, but I’d somehow allowed myself to think he might still be interested in hooking up with me, that’s why he’d offered me the deal he had.

The reality that I was just a plain ol’ charity case had really done a number on my ego. I wasn’t sure how I was going to salvage my dignity around him, but I hoped having his kids there would help.

I’d worry about that tomorrow.

****

Gabe

Beau broke into a big grin when I punched in the garage code Gretchen had given me.

“You know her code, huh?”

“Yeah, she gave it to me since she’s not home.”

His brows furrowed.

“She’s not home? Where is she?”

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