Page 19 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Swiveling in her office chair, Alex did a double take when she saw Gage standing in the teller line. Forgetting how cute he was, her heart raced. Smoothing her skirt, she strode across the lobby and extended her hand. “Hey, Gage. This is quite a surprise.”

“Hi yourself.” Grinning, he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

Her stomach did strange flip flops. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Yup.” Shrugging, he said, “I needed some cash before I go back to New York.”

Alex’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re leaving already? I didn’t even know you were here.”

Shrugging, he said, “Cheri has some business she wants me to handle in Manhattan. I’m her limo driver, remember?”

“Of course I remember, silly.” Alex observed him as he spoke.He seems different. Annoyed maybe. Likely because of the incident nearly a year ago with my possessive boyfriend at Coconuts.Her mind raced. She didn’t want him to get his money and leave. Not yet.“When you’re done, will you step into my office?”

He grinned. “Said the spider to the fly.”

Feeling her face redden, she said, “If you put it that way-”

“I’m kidding. I’ll be there as soon as I get through the line.”

Crossing the lobby toward her corner office, Alex felt his gaze on her back. She sat behind her desk and wondered what to say. She also wondered why it mattered. Thankfully, Hannah had called in sick the past two days. She almost felt guilty for hoping the girl had the plague but needed a break from her master’s degree marketing nemesis.

Gage knocked on her door while simultaneously walking inside. Winking, he asked, “No intern today?”

Alex grinned. “She’s sick. Poor thing. I really miss Hannah.”

“Uh-huh. I can tell.” Gage nodded while standing beside her desk. His gaze undid Alex as she studied him.Why does he have to look so damn good? Dark sunglasses were perched atop his head and the sleeves were rolled up on his crisp, white shirt. Limo drivers know how to dress.

Pulse quickening for some weird reason, Alex motioned for Gage to sit in a chair. “It’s good to see you. I guess this means Cheri’s back in town.”

“Yeah, I haven’t seen her, though. I’ve been really sick with bronchitis.” He coughed as if to punctuate the fact.

Grimacing, Alex said, “Are you sure you’re over it?” Eyeing her can of Lysol, she made a mental note to spray it once he left. “How long will you be in New York?”

He shrugged. “I have to be flexible and work when I can since Cheri doesn’t need a driver here. I got some calls to pick up several celebrities for an annual event. You know the kind where everyone wants to be seen entering or leaving a limo.” Winking, he said, “It’s a fru-fru red carpet affair. I can’t pass this up. They’re big celebrities and trust me implicitly. Some of them invite me to their homes.” Grinning, he said, “They’re big tippers, and there’s always amazing food.” Studying Alex’s face, Gage added, “But I’ll miss Crystal City, Coconuts, and mainly you.”

Alex felt like a teen. “You will? Really?” She decided not to mince words. “I’ll miss you too. By the way, Tony snatched your business card out of my hand that night in the Coconuts parking lot.”

“You mean the night we were like two bulls fighting over you?” He chuckled.

She nodded. “That’s the one.”

“I wondered why you never called.” Rubbing his chin, Gage said, “He’s a real charmer, that guy. I’m not sure what you see in him, but hey, it’s your life.”

Alex knew her cop boyfriend could be a real asshole. Hell, that described him most of the time, and his ex-wife was even worse. Something drew her to the cop but she was finding it harder and harder to remember exactly what it was. Not sure how to answer Gage about her disastrous relationship, she avoided his gaze.

Gage met her eyes. “Want to try for lunch again?” Glancing at his watch, he asked, “Like today?”

“I’d love to, but I can’t.” Alex’s face fell. “I’ve got a lunch meeting with a rep from theCrystal City Business Journal. It’s been scheduled for a month.” Sighing, she said, “Sorry. Rain check?”

“Lots of rain checks around here. I’m wondering if I should take a hint.” Gage’s disappointment was palpable. “Sure. Rain check. Probably. Maybe.”

Alex stiffened. “Maybe?I hope I’ll see you. Iwantto see you.”

He stood and awkwardly shook her hand. “Bye, Alex.”

She stared at Gage’s back as he stepped through the lobby and out the bank’s front door.I hope I didn’t make a big mistake. I should have canceled my damn lunch meeting.

Chapter 20

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