Page 9 of Mine to Love
“I divorced the man,” she mumbled. “I believe it’s obvious I don’t want him around anymore. But with Gabriel, that’s complicated. When he forms a bond with another human, ripping that away from him can cause problems. I have to be delicate in how I do that. You pushing Charlie’s buttons is making it harder for me to ease that man out of our lives.”
“Don’t poke me again, but it’s not me that’s the problem. It’s you.”
She pursed her lips. “And why the hell do you say that?” she asked behind a tight jaw.
“Because you won’t tell Charlie to fuck off. When he’s around, you’re all unicorn and rainbows in front of Gabriel. You act like it’s okay for Charlie to waltz in and out whenever he wants. That’s part of the confusion and in a nutshell, that’s what has Gabriel questioning what’s really going on.”
She opened her mouth, but Miles silenced her with his damn fucking sexy finger again.
“Gabriel loves you. You’re the one constant in his life and all he wants to do is please you. And yeah, he doesn’t have the same emotions we do about people, but he’s not dumb. He knows on his own level that Charlie hurt you. I would bet the golf cart he and I have been working on that if you sat Gabriel down and let him know that you didn’t want Charlie coming around anymore, he’d get through it. He has you to lean on and an entire community that has embraced him. I don’t know a single person in Lighthouse Cove that has come across Gabriel who doesn’t adore him or want to see him thrive here.”
Well, fuck if she couldn’t agree with that logic. Every time someone came into the Safe Harbor Café where she worked, they all raved about what an awesome human Gabriel was, making it easier for him to assimilate to his new surroundings.
It hadn’t been like that in Palm Beach.
Not before she married Charlie.
And certainly not after.
Everyone always treated Gabriel differently.
But not here.
“I’m not saying I’m going to take your advice, but let’s play hypotheticals here.” She fiddled with her thumbnail. “If I tell Charlie never to come over again, not even if he calls first, what happens if he does? What do I do then? Or if he calls Gabriel. He does have his own phone.”
“Simple.” Miles yanked his cell from his back pocket. “You call one of my cop brothers and let them handle it. You file aformal complaint, it becomes harassment, and they will make him go away. I’m sending you their personal numbers. I’ll let them know I did that,” he said. “As far as Gabriel goes, just make it clear he needs to tell you and show you the messages. Then call one of my brothers. Emmerson or Emmett would be the best ones to reach out to.”
“But isn’t Emmerson the one who just got married? Won’t he be going on a honeymoon?”
Miles shook his head. “Not for a couple of weeks, and maybe not even then. His wife has morning sickness.”
“Oh. Well, too bad for the honeymoon, but congrats to the happy couple.” She lifted her hand but immediately dropped it to her lap. She would not let the horror of losing her baby bubble to the surface. What happened had nearly destroyed her, but in the end, she had to accept that being tied to Charlie forever that way would have been the worst fucking hell.
“They are so ridiculously happy it’s almost disgusting.” Miles laughed, but it was cut short by the sound of a roaring engine.
Charlie.
“He’s not going to be thrilled to see me,” Miles muttered.
“Nope. He’s not.” She jumped to her feet. “Can you do me a favor and ask Gabriel to do something with you. Anything. If I don’t talk to Charlie now, I might not have the nerve again.”
“Happy to.”
She turned. “One more thing. Gabriel might need a friend after I talk to him. Can you be available tonight after that?”
“Of course.” Miles nodded.
“He could freak out. In that case, he won’t be coming into work tomorrow.”
“Whatever you and he need.”
“Thank you.” She smoothed down the front of her jean shorts. Time to take her life back.
3
“How was the car ride?” Liberty tried to pull Gabriel in for a hug. She took them when she could get them, and they weren’t often. Gabriel wasn’t one for physical touch and right now, he shied away.
That could mean a variety of things and she tried not to read anything into it.
