Page 100 of Love in the Wild

Great. Not only was Gage working with the Pattons for no pay, now he was taking fishing lessons from a pre-teen and in charge of helping tiny humans wield hooks on strings.

Olivia put her notebook away and wrapped up the remaining bite of her burger. “Looks like a plan. Thanks for the help.”

Everyone except Olivia filed out of the break room and went back to work. Gage gulped the last of his drink and swiped his burger wrapper off the table. He tossed it in the trash can just as Hadley walked in. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, and she wore a purple-and-pink shirt with faded jeans and boots.

Her lips bloomed into a smile as soon as she saw him, and his heart rate kicked into high gear. No one had ever looked at him the way Hadley did every single day.

She tossed her arms out to her side and launched herself into a hug. “Hey! I missed you.”

“Aww. They are so cute,” Olivia crooned.

Gage nuzzled his nose against the soft skin of her neck just below her ear. “I missed you too, sunshine,” he whispered.

She released him from the embrace and flashed her smile at Olivia. “Hey, girl.”

“How’s the arm?” Olivia asked.

“Almost as good as new.” Hadley swung her arm over her head.

“Your man there just volunteered to help out with a community car wash and the fishing day sponsored by the church.”

Hadley rounded on him, sending her ponytail whipping through the air. “He did?”

“Volunteered isn’t the correct word,” Gage said. “I was voluntold.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Okay, he was coerced, but his name is on the list now.”

Hadley lifted her chin and smiled up at him. “Count me in too then.”

“Great! I’ll send you the details,” Olivia said as she pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Gotta run, but it was good seeing you again.”

“You too,” Hadley said with a wave.

Now that their relationship wasn’t a secret, Hadley was spending more and more time at Beau’s garage. Olivia hung around as often as possible since her brother owned the place, and Dawson was usually helping Jacob with car projects. Olivia was everyone’s work mom and brought food at least once a day.

Gage had offered to pay for the food numerous times, but Olivia insisted that Beau was footing the bill. After seeing the statements today, Gage was determined not to mess up and get fired. Beau had a top-notch operation going here.

When Olivia left, Hadley wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her level. She pressed a hard kiss to his lips that took him off guard. After a second to get over the shock of her lips on his, he pressed her closer to his chest.

Man, what had he done to deserve this greeting? Hadley’s kiss had his toes curling in his boots and his fingers tightening their grip on her waist.

She hummed a content sound in her throat before releasing him from the kiss. “You’re the best.”

Yeah, Hadley wasn’t like anyone else in the world. He hadn’t met a single person in his life who thought he was the best at anything except screwing things up.

Gage brushed his thumb over her cheek. Her skin was as soft as air, and the urge to protect her from anything that could mark her rose up hot and fast in his chest.

“I think you’re the good one, but you’ve definitely had a positive effect on me.”

Hadley rolled her eyes so hard it shook her ponytail. “How’s your day been?”

“Pretty good. Sorry I didn’t have much time to talk yesterday. I’m glad everything was good with your mom.”

“Whew. Me too. I was a nervous wreck on the way to Cody, but all is well. I told you about my day yesterday. What did you do?”

Gage sucked in a lungful of air. “I actually met with Mr. Chambers.”

Hadley gasped. “Really? At the ranch?”

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