Page 69 of Mr. Infuriating

Gabe

Waking up with Gretchen in my arms was the perfect way to start my day.

I could get used to this.

Then my realistic side lambasted my romantic one.

Not gonna happen, sucker. Once you get out of this bed, you’re never coming back.

Which was probably why I didn’t let her go when she tried to get up.

“Let me hold you just a little while longer.”

To my relief, she turned over and melted into me.

Maybe we can stay in bed all day.

“What time are you meeting Derrick?”

The sound of sad trombones played in my head.

So much for that idea.

“Nine-thirty.”

“You probably better get going, then.”

“Why? What time is—” I glanced at my watch and exclaimed, “Oh shit!” as I sat up with a start. “I never sleep this late!”

“Well,” she giggled. “We were up pretty late.Again. Two late nights in a row takes its toll.”

My left knee creaked when I stood up and glanced around for my clothes.

“Especially on an old man like me.”

She gave me a soft smile. “You’re not that old. You’re only eight years older than I am.”

For what we each wanted in our lives, those eight years might as well have been decades. In seven years, both my kids would be adults, while if she got pregnant tomorrow, her child might be starting kindergarten or first grade.

“Things look a lot different when you’re pushing forty than when you just turned thirty. You’ll see.”

She sat up in bed with the covers tucked under her armpits while she watched me yank my underwear and jeans on.

“My goodness, you gonna tell me about your tour in ’Nam, too, Gramps? Yell at the kids to get off your lawn? Or do you not care who walks on the grass at the retirement home?””

“Har har. You’re hilarious.”

After I buttoned my jeans, I couldn’t help but pause and take in the sight of her makeup-free face and mussed hair from a combination of sleep and being properly fucked.

I didn’t want this to be the end.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Gabe

“And why can’t you keep seeing her?” Derrick asked as we walked the first cabinet into the bed of my truck.

As we set it down, I grunted, “Because I like her.”

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