Page 35 of Gabriel & Skye

“This is Skye.” Georgia seems great at filling in the gaps. “Skye, this is my brother, Gabriel.”

Now it’s my turn to give him an award-winning smile, not that I’m trying to be smug or anything.

“You’re Skye?” He gives me a quick once over and looks at his sister quizzically.

“That’s me,” I say, sticking out my hand toward him.

He looks down at it momentarily, pausing before he remembers his southern manners. His large hand wraps around mine as she shakes it, smooth and warm.

I get a small tingle up my spine when he says, “The girl from the coffee shop… wait… you’re Trav’s little sister?”

Georgia giggles next to us and I realize we’re all just standing there in the doorway.

“I’m sure you guys must have run into each other as kids?” Georgia smiles. “I’m not even sure I was born then, but still…”

“I was four when we moved,” I clarify. “And yes, I’m the girl from the coffee shop who scalds milk, apparently.”

I probably shouldn’t have said that to my future boss, but surely he can take a joke?

“Ah, well, there we go then,” Georgia says, like that solves everything.

Gabe’s lips part, and I try not to stare. I mean, he has a perfect face. When my core clenches, I look away quickly.

“Right.” He’s clearly caught off guard. I doubt someone like him would forget about this morning’s interview, but he looks like he was on his way out. “If you’d like to follow me, Skye, we can talk in my office.”

Georgia — in no hurry to leave — walks next to me companionably.

“Isn’t it weird how fate can collide like this?” she says. “To think all those years ago when you were just a kid, your brother and my brother were best friends, and now you’re both back and you’re going to be Gabe’s new nanny!”

“I haven’t exactly passed the interview yet,” I whisper behind my hand.

She shakes her head and mouths, “Body wax, just remember.”

I stifle a laugh behind my hand, realizing we’re getting very on the giggly side, but it sure is taking the edge off a serious sit down with Gabriel.

I’m more than confident that I’ll get the job; he’d be crazy not to hire me. I have all the qualifications he’s looking for, and I love kids.

“Baby steps, George,” he mutters from in front and my cheeks redden, realizing he heard us.

As we turn to an open door on the right, I note his name is on the door; CEO Gabriel Bassett.

Noticing where I’m looking, he says, “My sister tends to get a little carried away.”

“I got all the offices’ name plates,” she states proudly.

“I love it.” It also has the bull logo over the top. The entire plate finished in brass.

Gabriel gestures ahead of him. “Thank you, Georgia. You can go now.”

Georgia gives him an eye roll as she turns to me. “Come down into the store before you go. We can sort out the details for Friday.”

“Sounds good.” I’m happy that I seem to have made a friend in Georgia, and the idea

that I might just get out to mingle this weekend is appealing.

She skips off while I step ahead into the office, and Gabriel reaches around to close the door.

“Take a seat,” he says, loosening the buttons on his suit jacket. He strides around to his side of the desk.

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