“Please. Don’t bullshit a bullshitter. I know it was Big Brother behind it. But you said yes. So thank you.”
Mac flushed. “No big deal. It’s not like you’re a charity case, you know. In case it’s escaped your notice, I pay you for the work you do.”
“Well, since that pay is so minuscule, I did wonder.”
“Ha-ha.”
“Look, this place has given me the time and space to get my head together. I still want to work here, but I do have plans to do a little more in the future. So tell Maggie not to get rid of me yet.”
“Christ. Don’t breathe a word of what I told you to her. I’ll just say we talked and you’re good. If she knew I’d told you what she’d said, she’d feel terrible, then cry forever. And man, I do not do tears well.”
“Oh. Right.” Maggie was a beautiful, sweet, and now apparently pregnant blond. He didn’t think he’d be able to handle seeing her cry either. “We never talked. Everything is just great. I love my job.” Mac nodded, so Gavin continued. “You’re giving me a raise, and—”
“Whoa, Marine. Nice try.”
Gavin stood slowly and shrugged. “It was worth trying.” He laughed and pulled Mac to his feet. “Thanks, old man. I really do appreciate everything.”
“Shut up. Old man? I’m only a few years older than you, asshole. Now get out of my office and go home. You stink.”
“Thanks so much.” Gavin headed to the door, then turned and paused. “And Mac? You know, if you let us go back to our own gym clothes, or at least get a better color and T-shirt manufacturer than this, I might be able to quiet those rumors about you and Elliot hooking up.” He plucked his shirt. “The material sucks, and the color is awful.”
Mac shot him the finger. “Ha-ha. But come on, man. They’re Marine Corps colors. Scarlet and gold.”
“This is fire-engine red with white lettering. Try again.”
“Fine. You’re not the only one to complain. We’ll go with the more expensive shirts,” Mac said with disgust. “And now I’m going to have to hear it from Maggie and Shane about how wrong I was. I hate the smugI told you so.”
“You and me both, brother.” Gavin whipped off his shirt. “But damn. I told you so a month ago.”
“Get out.”
“Leaving, boss, leaving.”
Gavin left, a new spring in his step and a real sense of purpose. He needed to talk to Lee, and to keep it together with Zoe until he did. He might not be ready to tell her what was in his heart, but he could show her. As he had been by loving her until neither could move, night after night.
He glanced at the clock on his way back to her place…to home.
And smiled as he thought about his plans for tonight—that bottle of chocolate syrup, the whipped cream, and Zoe. Three of his favorite things.
