“Oh. Well, their relationship grows stronger as they get closer. He’s controlling and paranoid, which drives her absolutely crazy. Once someonebreaks into her home and tries to kill her, everything makes sense. Wade is a member of the mafia. When his rival goes after Mia, she barely escapes into the woods with her phone, calling Wade.” A hint of fear in her voice, she gulps audibly through the line.
“She’s terrified while hiding in the trees, praying he gets there in time. Hearing the crunch of leaves underneath heavy footsteps, she closes her eyes, focusing on her breathing. As she feels hope slipping away, loud engines pierce the night air, the cavalry arriving to save her.”
“Wade saved her?” I’ve never been a reader. Never having the time or interest, I can only guess my body’s response is because of the woman telling me the story.
“Damn right he did. Wade and his crew came in, guns blazing. They killed them all. Once Mia heard him screaming for her, she ran out of the woods, straight into his arms. It was perfect. They admitted their love for each other. After his crew cleaned up the scene, Wade took Mia to his home, which wastheirhome now. And they lived happily ever after.” I don’t miss the dreamy sigh escaping her lips.
“That was quite a book.”
“I’ll let you borrow it once it’s published.” She laughs.
“I may take you up on that.” The line is silent before I say, “Tell me something about yourself.”
She hums. “Well, you know what I do for aliving. I work from home. I go into the office once a month to attend meetings and pick up anything I may need.”
“Do you enjoy working from home?” I pull into my driveway, shutting off the truck. Taking her off speaker, I hug the phone to my ear.
“I do, very much. It’s easier and I’m in my own space. What about you,Gabriel?” Her voice is sultry as she purrs my name.
Fuck.
“Okay. I’ll give you the cliff notes. I’m thirty-five, born and raised here. You already know I have my own company. What else?”
There’s a note of sadness in her tone when she asks, “Do you have family here?”
It’s an innocent question, but it brings a sting of pain with it. “No. I don’t have any siblings. My mother passed away from lung cancer when I was twenty-five. She lived a rough life. My dad wasn’t around, so mom did everything she could to ensure I’d have a fighting chance in this world. I think that’s the reason behind my drive to be successful.” And my need for control, but I leave that part out.
She gasps. “I’m so sorry, Gabe. I understand loss, too. My parents passed away in a car accident when I was ten. My Aunt Helen raised me, but she passed away from a brain tumor when I was twenty. I don’t have any other family either.”
It’s disturbing to imagine Brooke alone in this world. The sadness in her voice makes me wantto reach through the phone and hold her close. An overwhelming urge to protect her settles in my chest.
She goes on to say since her divorce, she doesn’t really socialize. She has a few friends from work she talks to occasionally. I have some friends from work I hang out with every now and then, but I mostly stay to myself. That’s the way I’ve preferred things.
Until now.
I glance at the time on the dash of my truck. Dread settles in my gut. She’s opened up over the phone and I hate to cut things short. I hope she’s at ease like this tomorrow night,in person.
“I’m sorry, sweet girl. I need to get off the phone and get into bed. I have an early morning.” The words leave a bad taste in my mouth.
“Oh, don’t be sorry. I understand. I hope you sleep well, and I’ll see you tomorrow night.” There’s a smile in her voice and it makes me ache for her more.
“Sweet dreams, beautiful.”
She ends the call, and my head falls back to the head rest.
I’m in real fucking trouble.
Chapter Three
Brooke
Gabe: See you tonight.
I haven’t got a damn thing done today. Waking up to his text this morning was another reminder, this is real. After two years alone, I agreed to go on a date with a man I don’t even know. He’s gorgeous, successful, and charming. Why would I say no? Because I don’t trust people. But something about Gabe has intrigued me, and I can’t deny the anticipation of seeing him again.
Even if this all blows up in my face.
Only time will tell.
