Page 40 of Gabriel & Skye

Skye

As Gabriel walks me back to the tasting room, I can’t help but feel things went well. I was only in there for about fifteen minutes. He certainly seems more relaxed than when he was in the cafe. Maybe because I wasn’t scalding him and making him mad.

“So, are you still going to be working at the cafe as well?” he asks, looking a little sheepish about the question.

“I don’t think I’m cut out for coffee making,” I confess. “Which is not a bad thing… for the customers.”

His lips twitch like he’s fighting a smile. “I’m sorry if I was an asshat about it.”

Woah, what? An apology. Now we’re really getting somewhere.

One of my personality traits is always giving people the benefit of the doubt. Some would say that’s naïve, but I don’t like holding grudges. It gets you nowhere.

“That’s okay. We get all kinds of customers. Some are fussier than others.”

He quirks a brow. “Is that right?”

I smile pleasantly. “Yes.” Why am I noticing every single detail about him? And why does he smell so incredible? He could’ve just walked off the front of a magazine cover…

“Well, coffee isn’t a requirement of working for me, thankfully.” He smiles tentatively. “It was nice meeting you, officially.”

We stop just in the doorway of the tasting room.

“You too.” See. Gabriel Bassett isn’t a total asshat. And he did say sorry. “Thank you for the opportunity. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

“I’ll send through the paperwork shortly and if it’s to your liking, the directions to my homestead will follow.”

“Thank you.”

“The retail section is just down the stairs to the left,” he tells me as we say our goodbyes.

Well. Gabriel Bassett is a dark horse, after all. I’m pleasantly surprised. He wasn’t the ogre I thought he was going to be.

As I walk carefully down the carved out wooden stairs — damn this place is amazing — I hang onto the steel railing. Everything about this place is rustic and charming, but with modern touches thrown in for good measure.

The store below is just as impressive with lines of apparel with the bull’s head logo, including jackets, caps, t-shirts and scarves, as well as shot glasses, decanters and bumper stickers. They have it all.

I hear a familiar voice as soon as I’m on solid ground.

“Hey, how did it go?” Georgia asks, excitement in her tone.

“It went well,” I say. And as I approach, I hear another familiar voice.

“Skye!” Celeste enthuses, just as cheery.

“Hey, nice to see you again.”

“Do you need a double shot of espresso after being in there with Gabe?” She quirks a brow. “Or bourbon?”

Georgia cackles. “Knowing my brother, she probably won’t ever want to come back.”

“He wasn’t that bad,” I say, and they both do a double take.

“Really?” They say in unison.

“Yes, and I got the job.” I feel rather pleased with myself, truth be told.

“Way to go!” Georgia claps her hands together. “I knew you had it in you.”

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