Page 64 of More Than a Fling

“No thank you, I am capable of seeing myself out.”

Bradley’s expression darkened but he quickly veiled it, “Been sleeping at loverboy’s farm lately?”

“And that is your business… because?”

“Youaremy business, Annie.”

“Men!” Annie said in disgust as she strode out of the bar alone.

28

Sam walked into the office and sat across from Gabe who was catching up with paperwork. “Thanks for taking care of the security system, I probably should have done that a long time ago.”

“No problem,” Gabe replied.

“Darcy told me about you and Annie, do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really,” he said.

“I guess I shouldn’t have asked because I have something I’d like to say, whether you want to hear it or not,” Sam said.

“Shoot then,” Gabe replied.

“Look I know these Morgan girls are stubborn, but you have to see it from Annie’s side as well. I know you well enough to say with conviction that Robbie was lying, but I’ve got no skin in the game.”

“She should trust me by now and she could at least have had the decency to hear me out!”

“I know all that but Gabe, she is in love and that makes her vulnerable. She has a high EQ.”

“EQ? What the hell is that?” Gabe asked.

“It’s like IQ but it’s emotional intelligence. It’s what makes her so special. She thinks through her heart. That is why she will never be boring, or mean spirited, why she is so fun to be with. She has the smarts and the feelings.”

“I’m still pissed off. I don’t need the drama. If she can’t handle the heat, I don’t know what I can do about it.”

“Are you sure about that? Don’t you think you’re being a bit of a butthead?”

“Sam how do you think I feel? I was blindsided. I had no idea Robbie was pregnant! It’s been well over nine months since I had sex with her.”

“Did you tell Annie that?”

“She didn’t give me a chance to.”

“You don’t need her permission; you make sure she hears it. Frankly I’m surprised that you didn’t fight a little harder Gabe,” Sam said.

Gabe didn’t like the feeling of knowing he had disappointed his hero. He respected Sam and knew if Sam was saying it, he had to listen.

“I guess you think I’m in the wrong here?”

“I’m not saying it’s all on you, but you certainly played a part.”

“Do you think she’ll listen to me now?”

“What have you got to lose? We all need reassurance from time to time, no matter how old we are, and our emotional baggage comes along with us. It dissipates, but sometimes it can rear its head at the most unexpected times. Don’t be too hard on yourself or Annie,” Sam said.

“I’ll think about what you’ve said,” Gabe said.

“That’s good enough for me. In my opinion, it’s just a bump in the road for you two. You will either become stronger together because of this or you’ll decide it’s not a good match. I’m betting on the former.”

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