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“Well, either way, my girl gets what she likes.”
My girl. The phrase sends warmth spiraling through my chest. I wrench my gaze away before I melt into a puddle on the floor.
An older woman with graying blonde hair tied back in a neat bun is moving around the stove with professional precision. She glances up and waves with a wooden spoon.
“That’s Chef Elena,” Gage explains. “A private chef who specializes in dairy-free cuisine.”
I walk over to introduce myself, still in complete awe of everything Gage has put together. “Hi, Chef! Everything smells absolutely divine. Thank you so much for coming out here.”
She beams at me. “My pleasure, dear. Gage told me all about your dietary restrictions. I’ve prepared a lemon herb salmon with roasted vegetables and quinoa pilaf. All dairy-free.”
“You’re an angel.” I turn back to Gage, who’s watching me with a smug smile he’s definitely earned. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Come here.” He takes my hand and leads me to the couch. “Sit.”
“Yes, sir,” I tease as I settle into the cushions.
“You’re such a good listener,” he fires back, joining me and lifting my feet into his lap. He slips off my heels, hands warm and strong as they begin working the tension from my arches.
“Tell me about your day.” His thumbs dig into a particularly sore spot.
“Oh god, that feels amazing.” I close my eyes for a moment, letting him work his magic. “I closed that deal with a couple this morning. They’re retired and looking for a mountain retreat. They were so sweet, especially happy when they saw the primary bedroom.” I make a note to send Addison a thank you text later tonight.
“The one I saw the other night while you were browsing? The walk-in closet?”
I’m honestly surprised that he paid attention. Eventually, I’ll get used to the fact that these guys are ideal boyfriends. Recovering from my momentary silence, I quickly pick up the story. “That’s the one. They signed the paperwork without any back and forth.”
His fingers move to my calves, kneading the tight muscles from a day in heels.
“They were so pleased with how I handled everything while they were out of town, taking the video walk-through of the house and getting the inspection scheduled, they gave me a five-hundred-dollar gift card to that fancy spa in town.” The one that most locals don’t dare to step foot in because it’s crawling with tourists.
Gage looks genuinely impressed. “You’re really something else, you know that?”
Heat creeps up my neck. “It’s my job.”
“Bullshit.” He digs his fingers deeper into my calf, earning a groan of approval. He chuckles to himself. “You did all that work for Addison. You go above and beyond for everyone. Those people are lucky to have you.”
I’m not great at accepting compliments, never have been, so I simply smile and let him continue his impromptu massage. The stress of the day evaporates under his touch.
Is it too soon to be thinking about doing this when we’re old and gray? Definitely too soon in the evening to overthink everything, LILY!
“What about that guy Tom?” Gage asks. “The rich dude.”
So he really has been listening to me talk about work and he actually remembers my client’s name? Okay, so the bar is on the floor after Matt, but even still, that simple attentiveness wraps around me in a warm hug.
“Oi, Tom,” I say with a shake of my head. “It was three hours of negotiations, but we got there. He signed the paperwork, so now all that’s left is the inspections and closing.” And then that commission goes straight to my overdue bills. “He’s a little demanding, but he’s already talking about more properties and how he wants to work with me.”
“Of course he does. You’re amazing.”
Before I can respond, Chef Elena calls out from the kitchen. “Dinner is ready.”
Gage helps me up, his hand lingering on mine as we walk to the table. He pulls out my chair like a proper gentleman, and I have to bite back a grin as he sits across from me.
We both look down at our plates with five-star restaurant-quality presentation then back up at each other. He looks as impressed and excited as I am.
“This looks amazing,” we say at the same time before laughing together.
He picks up his fork, extending it toward mine, growing serious. “To closing deals and beautiful women who know their worth.”
