Page 47 of Unbreakable Love

This was the strangest argument I’d ever been in with someone. Clean cars and tires and friendships weren’t the point, and I had no doubt Gavin was intentionally trying to distract me, but strangely, I was enjoying this.

The ache of the smile I discovered from my sore cheeks proved it. I wiped away my smile and tried again.

I’m not comfortable with this. Please, let me know the cost so I can cover it.

You needed new tires. I need to know your car is safe if I need your help with Josie.

I blinked at the text. Blinked again. He’d made it clear he’d never ask me for help with his daughter. He had to know I’d soften at the mention of Josie.

Gavin…

I’m not telling you how much it cost. Your tires were practically bald. Winter is coming. You needed new ones and I have the money and I wanted to know you were safe. Can we leave it at at that and you can say thank you and stop being mad that I did something nice for you?

No. I still want to yell at you some more.

I think I’d like to see that. I’ll be home in an hour.

Come yell at me then?

Was he teasing me? Flirting? Ryken’s words popped into my brain, the way he’d looked at me. The suggestion in his tone about Gavin being interested.

He had to be wrong.

I had to be reading into this.

Never mind.

I typed back.

Several moments went by, so long, I figured I wouldn’t hear from him anymore, so I went to my fridge and pulled out Friday night’s soup.

I was warming it up on my stovetop when my phone dinged.

I still haven’t gotten that thank you…

A wink followed the dots. He was definitely teasing. Possibly flirting.

Fine. Thx. Happy now?

Getting there.

Now what did that mean? I could spend all night rereading these texts, overanalyzing, and driving myself crazy.

Or I could push it out of my mind, eat my dinner, and get ready for school the next day.

In the end, I did all the things. I ate, I got ready for another work week, and I did it all while overthinking.

If Gavin was flirting and Ryken was right, did I want that?

Gavin was attractive. He made my pulse race and being around him made me feel like a teenager with her first crush. But he came with Josie, my student, and we both had what sounded like complicated backgrounds, making it difficult for us to trust.

Would taking a chance be worth it?

Or would I end up with my first broken heart in a small town where I’d never be able to escape him?

FOURTEEN

GAVIN

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