Page 44 of Love in the Wild

That took a little bit of thought. Yes, it did make her life easier. If she followed the rules, she didn’t get in trouble, and her time wasn’t wasted trying to get out of bad situations.

Other people depended on her. She’d been working since she was old enough to get a job, and she didn’t hold any resentment. Doing her part to keep things running smoothly was her way of showing her mom and sister that she could carry her own weight.

Hadley shrugged one shoulder. “You learn to be what others need you to be when you have no choice.”

She’d watched her mom crumble after every failed relationship, and Hadley didn’t want to fall into that trap. She didn’t want her happiness or worth to be decided by others.

But as much as she’d pushed people away in the last few years, she found herself craving connections. It was safe to say she’d developed some strong friendships with her co-workers. They’d become her friends, and she trusted them.

That was the key–trust. Without trust, every relationship falls apart.

Gage rapped his knuckles on the door. “Shut it off and pop the hood for me, please.”

Hadley did as she was told and stepped out of the car. Gage placed a jack under the frame and lifted it up. Then, he grabbed a shallow pan and placed it under the car before sliding his upper body into the gap.

A man she’d seen during her visits to the shop was a few garage bays down with his head bent under the hood of a truck. He gave her a little wave before going back to his business. A few other people walked by and gave her friendly waves but didn’t stop working.

Ten minutes later–as promised– Gage wiped his hands on a rag as he approached her. “All set.”

“What do I owe you?”

“It’s on me,” Gage said without looking at her.

Geeze, Louise. He had to stop being cute.

“Well, thank you. That’s very sweet.”

“Don’t get used to it.” He jerked his head toward the car. “I’ll meet you back at the truck.”

Hadley slid back into her car and waved at the friendly worker as she backed out of the bay. After parking beside Gage’s truck, she slowly made her way back around to the tailgate. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Gage propped his back against the tailgate and crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t make it into a big deal.”

“It is a big deal,” she whispered. At least, it was to her.

“I haven’t been able to check on Thea’s car in years. Call it unused brotherly love.”

Hadley’s brows lifted. “Brotherly love. Is that what this is?”

Gage lowered his head and kept his attention on the gravel at his feet.

Hadley pointed toward the garage. “Your co-worker sure watches us a lot.”

Gage looked up. “That’s Tim. His life just isn’t exciting enough.”

Slowly, Hadley moved in front of Gage. His chin lifted, and his gaze met hers. The toes of her shoes nearly touched the tips of his boots.

Gage was a lot taller than her, but she didn’t feel the urge to cower in front of him. Instead, there was a pull in her middle, tightening an invisible line between them.

“We’re supposed to be dating. Aren’t we supposed to be showing some PDA?”

His brow furrowed. “PDA?”

“Public displays of affection.”

Gage’s eyes widened. “I don’t think I’m a PDA kinda guy.”

“Why not?”

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