God, what if they’re here tonight.
I jolt when I feel Gabe’s hand graze my lower back, and he pulls his hand away instantly. “Sorry. You ready to go back to thetable?” He nods toward the beer sitting on the counter in front of me as he puts down a five-dollar bill and tells Mae to keep the change.
“Yeah.”God, Dakota, keep it together.“Sure. Thank you for the beer.”
“No problem,” he says with a sweet wink that nearly sends me to my knees and lights my cheeks on fire.
We settle in at the table as I sip my beer and listen to them all tease each other, but I know it’s all good-natured. They seem more like a family than coworkers. Trivia starts, and we fail horribly. But it’s fun.
Never thought that was possible, but it is. Until it’s over and Jackson looks over at me, “So I heard something about a firepit. That still on?”
I try really hard to get control of my nerves, and I hope I’m not sweating through my shirt.
“You don’t have to,” Gabe says quietly.
“No. That was the deal, right?” I ask, trying to keep my voice light and fun. Though I can’t lie, I’m nervous about having all of them at my house, despite them all being nice. I look around at all the kind faces. “You’re all welcome to come over and see Gabe’s work.”
“Well, this kid is currently trying to kill me.” Missy stands up, her belly protruding as she places a hand over it, but she’s smiling. “And I need some sleep.”
“Thank you for the offer,” her wife says and then looks at her brother. “You coming?”
“Yeah, yeah.” He stands up but glances over at me. “Maybe some other time. I gotta catch a ride with them.”
“Hey, I’ll take your ass home. I already have to haul this guy around,” Jackson says, and I realize he’s pointing at Gabe.
“Yeah, you insisted on riding together. You can’t get enough of me,” Gabe teases.
I don’t like the little prickly feeling that comes over me, thinking about Gabe and Jackson.Is he gay too? Does he want Gabe? Does Gabe want him? This is getting ridiculous.
Gabe never mentioned dating anyone at work. The thought of dating seems to terrify him, but they’re close, there’s no denying that. I’ve never been this twisted up over someone before. I’m not sure I like it.
“Nah. Next time,” Luke says and waves goodbye as his sister and sister-in-law do the same and then take off.
“I’m in,” Oakley says. “I will never turn down a firepit.”
Travis laughs and stands up from the table. “We have to check out our employee’s work too.”
Gabe just chuckles. “Okay, let’s head out then.”
I want to ask if he wants to ride with me. I want him far away from the good-looking Jackson, but I chicken out and wind up driving back to my place all alone, with Jackson and Gabe in a truck behind me, and Travis and Oakley in an old rusty truck I’m not sure will actually make it but somehow does.
I thought for sure they could afford something a little—newer? Owning a successful company. But I guess Oakley just really likes his old, rumbly truck.
When we get to my house, I expect it to be awkward, but somehow it really isn’t. Gabe goes right to showing off his work, and Oakley and Travis nod appreciatively as they look it over. Jackson, however, can’t seem to miss ribbing his friend. “Eh, it’s pretty good. But I could have done better.” He looks right at me. “Next time you need something done, you know who to call.”
Is he flirting with me?
I can’t tell at first, but I’m startled when I hear a deep, feral growl coming from Gabe before he moves directly to my side, glaring at his friend. “Don’t worry. He has my number.”
Jackson cackles menacingly, like this is just what they do, and I suppose it is. Gabe quickly starts a fire, and we all takea seat. “Damn fine firepit,” Oakley says and snuggles up to his husband after pulling a chair very close to his.
“And greenhouse,” Travis adds, looking over at the beautiful structure. It really is. “You need anything else, let us know. I’ll make sure Jackson is busy somewhere far, far away.”
I smile. “Well, I was thinking about a hot tub.”
Gabe looks almost giddy, and it makes my heart flutter stupidly in my chest. So even though he may not want to date me, I think it’s fair to say he does want to spend more time with me. “Oh yeah?”
“Oh, come on! I’m way better at hot tubs than Gabe,” Jackson pouts, and Gabe reaches over to pat his shoulder sarcastically.
