Page 32 of Mine to Love
That’s what he wanted and it had messed with his head, not to mention his heart. He couldn’t make sense of his feelings and he was plumb tuckered out from trying.
He liked women. Always had and there was nothing wrong with that. He just didn’t like having them in his space all the time. Or dealing with what came with real relationships. The commitment. The responsibility.
The hurt.
But mostly that he wasn’t good enough.
Fuck. He needed to stop that train of thought.
“I’m just about finished.” He raised his drink to his lips and sipped, savoring the last few drops.
“You don’t have to rush off.” She waved the bottle and eased into the chair next to him. “I’m sorry if I was a little harsh when we got home. But Gabriel was exhausted. He was on the verge of a meltdown and I didn’t want him to think he was going to miss out on something. He can have the worst FOMO, especially when it comes to you and your family these days.”
Miles chuckled. “He had so much fun reeling in those fish. He was like a kid in the candy store. I don’t know what I enjoyed more. Watching him or spending time with you, my brother, and Trinity.”
“He couldn’t stop smiling.” She set the bottle between them on the floor and sighed. “Thank you for taking him, but I have no idea how to cook those filets. I’m a killer cook when it comes to breakfast, but dinner, I’m limited to casseroles.”
“Why don’t I grill them up nice for us tomorrow night.” What he should do was stop trying. Not only was Liberty one of the few women who was immune to his charm, even if they had shared one hell of an evening in his kitchen, but she was definitely way too good for him and even if he could get her to agree to date him, it wouldn’t last.
This time it wouldn’t be because he couldn’t bring himself to be a one-woman man, but because she’d figure out he wasn’t ever going to be anything other than a grease monkey.
A successful one, but he had his own set of issues and he knew his limitations. He’d accepted them and for the last forty-one years, he’d learned to embrace them.
Why go fucking with what worked.
And there was that damn tape again. No matter how hard he tried to stop it from blending into his thoughts, he couldn’t.
“I wouldn’t want to put you out. You do so much for us as it is.” She swirled her glass before taking a gulp. “I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
He loved that she drank the same brand of bourbon he did.
“It’s no trouble. There was a lot of meat on those fish. What doesn’t get eaten can be used for fish tacos the next night.”
“That’s smart.” Liberty nodded. “I had a lot of fun with Trinity. I really like her.”
“She’s a good person and she’ll be a good friend.”
“I hate to bring this up, but did Gabriel look at his phone at all while you were out on the boat?”
“Not once.” Miles was happy to report that fact. “Have you heard from or seen your ex-husband?”
“I haven’t and I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”
“Emmett said no one has seen him since he showed up at my shop three days ago. Maybe my mother scared him off.”
“That would be nice, but Charlie doesn’t frighten that easily. Knowing him, he’s regrouping.”
Miles leaned over, lifted the bottle, and poured one finger. Just one more small glass and then he’d call it a night. She knew how he felt and what he wanted. The ball was in her court. “You know what to do if he shows up.”
“I do, but I don’t like it.” She adjusted her baseball cap, pulling it down, making it so he couldn’t see her beautiful blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
There wasn’t a single thing he didn’t like about Liberty. She was easy to talk to or just sit and be with. Even though she had a lot on her mind, she could be laid-back. Her life had been riddled with pain, but she didn’t wallow in self-pity. She picked herself up by her bootstraps and kept on pushing forward. And she certainly didn’t hold any punches.
“I worry about how Gabriel will respond,” she said. “While he’s handling the separation from Charlie well right now, who knows what will happen when that man shows his ugly face.”
“Gabriel’s never alone. He’s always either with you or me. He’ll have all the support he needs.”
“I don’t know how to thank you. This goes way beyond being neighborly. Or being his boss.”
