Page 80 of Kiss and Make Love

Did he want to base his life solely on his career? Or did he want to take a chance on the woman beside him, if she would even have him? She’d made it clear she didn’t want a workaholic, and he was definitely a workaholic. How many phone calls had he taken on the road? Getting time off work to see Matt was hell—if you could even call it time off. Was that the life he wanted to live for the next ten, twenty, thirty years?

Two days ago, this decision would’ve been simple. A woman or his job? He’d always pick his job. In fact, June had made it easy. There wasn’t even a choice for him to make because she’d already said she couldn’t be with someone obsessed with their job. But she’d turned his plans upside down in such a short time. For the first time in years, he’d allowed himself to connect with someone, even if it was only a little. Something he hadn’t been able to do with anyone else since Cassandra.

He’d adjust. Everything inside him screamed it’d be difficult and slow, but possible. Gabe finally knew in his bones he could make a change. It was time. The idea of continuing to kill himself over a job was no longer appealing. He just needed the right woman to help him admit it to himself.

And, dammit, June was the right woman.

JUNE

The silence in the car was overwhelming. She pretended to read her book, but her eyes kept skimming the same paragraph on the same page. Her mind was elsewhere. Namely, on the brooding man sitting in the driver’s seat.

How did his sullen mood make him even sexier? She shook the thought from her mind. Thinking of him like that was no longer an option. He had made it abundantly clear that his focus was on work and the potential promotion.

She didnotwant to be with a workaholic. The way a career could consume people was ugly, and she had firsthand experience with that whole situation, thanks to her father. Though Gabe wasn’t like her father.

He wasn’t overbearing or controlling. He’d picked her up when he didn’t need to. Opened up to her and shared about his life. But work was an obsession for him, and she knew firsthand how people could drown in their obsessions when left unchecked. Maybe she could be his life preserver?

Presumptuous to assume after two days that Gabe was feeling the same way she was. She had years of pining for him compared to his two days of interest in her. Yet there he sat, frowning in his seat, gaze firmly locked on the road. Whatever he was thinking, it was seriously troubling him. Her heart fluttered at the idea he was thinking of her, but she knew that was a long shot.

More likely, his worry was increasing the closer they got to seeing Matt. She noticed her feet tapping more than usual, and her hands were jittery. But it wasn’t all attributed to seeing her injured brother. Some of that anxiety was stemming from their trip soon ending.

No doubt Gabe would stay in a ritzy hotel, and she’d try to find somewhere cheap and close to the hospital. He’d fly back to Vancouver to ensure he made his important meeting on Tuesday, and she’d stay with Matt as long as she could. The bus was always an option to get home like she’d originally planned.

Matt could pay for a plane ticket back to Vancouver easily, if he was good enough to fly. No doubt he’d offer to pay for hers, too. In an ideal world,shewanted to be the one to bringhimhome. She didn’t have the money, but at least she could be by his side.

A loud trill from the car speakers brought her back to the present. Another work call for Gabe. Of course.

“Gabriel. We’re meeting with Hartnett in five. Can you be here?” A gruff voice filled the car.

She tried to absorb herself in her book, but there was no waynotto eavesdrop. The man was on speakerphone, after all.

“Charles, what kind of question is that? You know I’m on the road.” Gabe’s tone was measured, but it was obvious he was pissed off.

“Well, the meeting is happening today. Hartnett had some major schedule changes, and Tuesday is out. The only time he can meet is now.” Charles sounded impatient.

Right now?Gabe couldn’t be there in person. She knew how important this meeting was for his future with the company.

Braving a look over at him, his face was a picture of composure, but anger simmered behind those icy blue eyes.

“The terms were set for Tuesday. Can’t Hartnett just video or call in?” Gabe asked.

“He’s the priority, not you, Gabriel,” Charles quickly shut him down.

Gabe sighed and pulled the car over at the next turnoff, still in constant communication with his boss. They’d only been on the highway for about an hour since their last stop, but this delay was unavoidable. Gabe had totake part in the meeting, and that meant doing it on the fly on the side of the road.

June slipped out of the car and used the opportunity to call the hospital again. She wandered around the Take-a-Break area while she was on hold.

Pulled over, occupying the opposite end of the turnoff, was a large truck. The road was busy and the traffic going by created a steady roar in the background. She plugged one ear with her finger to hear better when a nurse on the other end finally picked up.

“Hi again. I’m calling about Matthew Hawley’s condition? I’m his sister, June.”

“Oh, hello, Miss Hawley. Matthew is awake after sleeping through the night. He’s a bit groggy from the pain medication, but he’s been asking for you. What would you like me to tell him?” the nurse asked.

“That’s great news! Please tell him we’ll be there later today and that I’m so glad he’s doing okay.” Relief swept through her, relaxing the anxiety that had manifested in her body over the last couple days. “Thank you so much.”

“No problem, dear. He’ll be happy to see you.”

She hung up in a much better mood than she’d been in a few minutes ago.

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