Page 53 of Flirting With Forever
“No trouble at all,” he said over his shoulder as he took the stairs two at a time with an ease she’d love to have.
She made her way to the front of the vehicles, noting the Wrangler’s modifications to keep herself from thinking about Noah’s appearance.
The red Jeep looked cool with its oversized wheels and blacked-out windows. On the hood near the windshield, below small square lights, was an additional something she couldn’t name, but the panel was made of painted metal and featured the Maltese cross for a firefighter.
“It lights up from underneath, like a fire.”
She turned and spotted her host. Two seconds indeed. He was quick. And probably afraid she’d take off on him on her own. “That’s cool.”
“Cart’s over here. Climb in, and I’ll get you home,” Gabriel said.
“So you’re a firefighter?”
“Yeah,” the silver fox said in return. “Fire chief for Carolina Cove.”
Oh, his profession so fit him, she mused. Mainly because she could easily see him pictured on a firefighter calendar with puppies and kittens. And shirtless. That, too.
She shook her head and reminded herself that she already had man troubles. But she was also female and human, and she’d totally buy that calendar and support a good cause, hunky heroes and all.
Gabriel got them rolling, and she kept her gaze glued to the mirror, looking for any signs of Noah following them. She didn’t see him, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t there. Or that he wasn’t already fully aware of where she stayed since he knew about Gage.
Why had she lingered in town so long?
Gage’s grumpy, handsome face came to mind, and her heart warmed. He smiled more now than he had in the beginning, and she knew she had a part in that.
After a short drive through the quiet neighborhood, Wolfe pulled into Gage’s driveway without being given the address, more proof he did know Gage.
“Thanks for the ride.”
She made to get out when the fire chief cleared his throat.
“Look, it’s none of my business, but if that really was your brother and you’re afraid of him, you need to get the police involved. I have friends you can talk to on the force. Good guys who will listen and take you seriously.”
She looked over and found Gabriel Wolfe’s light blue eyes locked on her. He tried to be helpful, and it was sweet of him, but the last thing she wanted was to get the police involved. If done wrong, she’d possibly wind up in jail with her family. “It’ll be fine.”
She smiled at the man and thanked him again before scrambling out of the golf cart. Wolfe waited while she walked to the door beside the garage and entered the code to get inside. Once there, she double-checked that the door locked behind her and then lifted her hand in a wave and watched until Gabriel reversed and pulled away.
Sloane fled to her room. She wasn’t ready for this. To have that conversation with Gage. But she didn’t want to leave, either. He was right about that.
Carolina Cove was special, and in the last few weeks, it had really started to feel like home. She knew where things were in the grocery store. Had become friends with Makayla at Itty-Bitty Bakery across the street from the rentals building.
Every day, one of the locals, Hadley, brought her giant labradoodle, Hershey, by for some pets and cuddles on their way to the bakery for a dog treat.
She’d met Ireland who managed the Carolina Cove Inn, and her sister, London, who owned London’s Lattes. They’d welcomed her with smiles and open arms and were friendlier than the fake family friends in Chicago who chose friends by what position they held in society and the advantage they might offer. Like jockeys atop thoroughbreds racing for a finish line that never came.
But here? This town was genuine. The people were genuine. Her boss— Her friends…
She loved spending time with Gage. Loved their quiet nights in front of the television eating popcorn and playing silly board games. The kisses and cuddles and shared laughs.
She loved it. Loved him, she realized with a breath-catching jolt that held the force of a lightning strike behind it.
She froze where she stood, her entire body locking up at the realization.
She loved Gage.
But now that Noah had found her, loving Gage meant protecting him at all costs. Even if leaving meant breaking her heart to keep him safe.
Chapter Sixteen
