Page 103 of Love for a Lifetime

“What kinda mess?” Jacob asked.

Gage Howard walked into the kitchen, and Dawson watched him carefully. The guy had grease from his bearded face to his boots and wore the same Black Sabbath T-shirt he’d worn for one of his mugshots.

Yeah, Dawson had brushed up on some records when Beau hired the guy. He didn’t love the idea of Gage working in the place where Olivia, Lyric, and Jacob liked to hang out.

Gage opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. He turned around to prop his back against the counter and crossed his ankles.

Dawson leveled him with a warning glare.

“Don’t stop now,” Asher said. “I’m invested in this story like it’s my retirement plan.”

Gage took a sip of water and stared around the room. “Don’t mind me,” he whispered.

No one said a word, and Dawson wasn’t about to talk about Olivia with Gage around. He took a breath and turned his attention back to his chili. Beau needed the help, and running off the only guy in town who knew the difference between a crescent wrench and a pipe wrench wasn’t going to help anyone.

Still, that didn’t mean Dawson had to befriend the guy.

“Like I was saying,” Dawson continued, “I just don’t know if I should wear the green shirt that matches my shoelaces or the gold shirt that brings out the flecks of amber in my eyes.”

Gage pushed off the counter and headed for the door without looking back.

Beau glared at Dawson when Gage was out of earshot. “Dude, lay off.”

“I know he works here now, but you won’t catch me braiding his hair and going fishing with him anytime soon.”

Asa pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t like him being here either, but Beau needs the help.”

“I know. I know. I’ll behave, but I can’t let down my guard around him.”

“I get it. I wish I had other choices too, but the guy knows cars and he gets the job done,” Beau said.

“So things are working out? No issues?” Dawson asked.

“Fine so far.”

Asher cleared his throat. “As much as I love dancing around our feelings for Gage, can we hear more about your budding relationship with Olivia? Haley is going to want all the details when I get home.”

“We’re not telling anyone yet. Well, a lot of people know, but we want to keep it sort of secret until Olivia gets to talk to…someone.”

Asher propped his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers. “That’s not vague and curious at all. Who are we not telling?”

“Anna Harris.”

Asher nodded. “I won’t tell. Well, except Haley, of course. You know, Haley and I kept things a secret for a while too.”

Asa leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I remember that. She dated Micah first.”

Dawson laughed. “Love triangle plus brothers equals disaster.”

Asher rubbed the back of his neck. “Could’a been. Thankfully, it all worked out.”

Jacob held up a hand. “Wait, are you saying Haley and Micah dated? I didn’t know that.”

“They didn’t really date,” Asher explained. “They were talking on a dating app, and when she came to surprise him with a visit, she thought I was him.”

“And planted a big kiss on him before realizing she’d smooched the wrong brother.” Dawson slapped the table as another laugh bubbled out of him. “Those were good times.”

“Happy to be your comedic relief today,” Asher said. “Yeah, it was a mess for a hot minute, but we got things worked out. You and Olivia will too.”

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