Page 31 of The Talk Around Town

Emma bit her lip, sucking the edge into her mouth as she glanced up at him.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I’m such a pain in the ass.”

At her words, one eyebrow disappeared into the messed-up wet hair hanging over his forehead. “Why would you say that?”

She shrugged, embarrassed. “Since I’ve known you—a whole two weeks—I’ve been nothing but a problem for you.” At his continued confusion, Emma felt the need to elaborate. She ticked the points on her fingers. “First, I question your sexual preferences in front of half the town. Second, I drag you away from your ranch and business to come play handyman. Third, I nearly drown myself, and you have to haul my wet ass out of the water. My useless swimsuit is like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae of poor decisions. Not the best impression I’ve ever made on anyone.”

*

Gabe bit backhis initial reply. The validity of her statement depended on where you were standing, and his vantage point was a pretty good spot to be.

He hid his grin behind the truck’s door and dug around for his shirt.

“Hauling your so-calledwet assout of the lake wasn’t a problem. I offered to help with your renovations, so you can’t worry about that. And your swimsuit? Well, your swimsuit wasn’t your fault and is neither here nor there.”

His mind threw up a perfect image of the moment he’d realised he could see straight through her suit—her gorgeous breasts straining against the translucent material, hard pink nipples visible, her smooth thighs clamped tightly around his hips. He didn’t dare tell her how much he’d actually seen. If she’d been even an inch closer, she would’ve realised how impressed he’d really been. He wasn’t taking a chance that any of the other guys, especially the ones on that stupid list, might have noticed. And notice they would have, as soon as she stepped out of the water.

“We’re friends. Friends help each other. At least, around here they do.”

He found the edge of a discarded work shirt and pulled it out from under the pile of things littering the cab of his ute. He held it up in both hands and gave it a shake. Satisfied it was clean, he passed it to Emma.

“Here. It’s way too big but that’s a good thing. It’ll come down over your butt and will button right up to your chin if you want it to.” Emma just stared at it, and him, confused.

Gabe jiggled the shirt a little in front of her face. “Don’t you want it? Would you prefer to walk around in your transparent swimsuit?”

Emma blinked and a flush stained her cheeks a sexy pink. “Thank you. You really are a good friend.”

Gabe inclined his head to her and sent her a wry grin, wishing he’d never heard of that word.

Darby came up behind them wrapped in a towel, her lips distinctly pale. Gabe grabbed the picnic basket from where it sat on the top of the bench. He was cold, but not freezing. The sun on his bare skin warmed him nicely.

“You guys gonna eat?” he asked as he peered inside the basket.

Darby rubbed at her hair with the edge of the towel. “Sure. Help yourself.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. By the time the women sat he’d already pulled all the food out and was munching on the edge of a corned beef sandwich. Ryan wandered over and accepted Emma’s peace offering of food with an abashed smile.

Gabe sat on the edge of the table and listened to the casual chatter surrounding him. It felt good to get out, away from work for a while, to just drift in the moment with good company.

He opened one eye a little and watched Emma. She seemed to be settling into their group surprisingly well. Extremely well, if he was being completely honest. He liked being around her. She just…fit.

“I should get back. Ralph will be getting hungry by now,” Emma said, glancing at her watch.

Gabe stretched and nodded, grabbing items to pop back into the basket. “He’s behaving?”

Emma laughed. “Yes. He’s been fantastic. Makes a bit of a mess, but he’s just lovely.” She took the picnic basket and walked over to pack itinto the back seat of Darby’s car.

She shut the car door and sent a smirk in Darby’s direction. Emma’s eyes glittered with humour as she looked at Gabe’s sister. “So, Darby. Will you help me pick out a dress for my date on Friday night?”

Gabe caught Darby’s startled glance, knowing his own echoed the sentiment.

A date.Had he heard correctly?

“Why didn’t you tell me about this? I thought you weren’t going to get involved in all that? I thought we were friends!” Darby’s accusing words tugged a larger smile from the corners of Emma’s lips. Her teasing cut through some of the shock her words had created.

Emma shrugged a shoulder, slid into the car and winked at him. “See you later, Gabe.”

He nodded, unable to speak. The soft click of the door latching launched Darby into action. She sprinted around to the other side of the car and jumped in, slamming her door behind herself.

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