Page 35 of Blue Collar Hotties

“The best man I’ve ever met.” My smile is strained, because out of all my relatives I could have had this showdown with, I would never have picked Uncle Roderick. He’s always been such a jerk, and he never listens to a word I say. “I’m lucky to be with him.”

Gabe makes a soft noise of disagreement, but now isn’t the time for him to argue. Uncle Roderick already thinks I’m above my gorgeous builder, purely because of my last name. And they’re both so wrong, it’s laughable.

“Your parents will never agree to this—”

“Good thing I’m not asking.” I raise my chin, and I hope to god I look braver than I feel right now. There’s a line of sweat trickling down my spine beneath my fuzzy white sweater. “I’m twenty two years old, Uncle Roderick. I don’t need a permission slip to date whoever I want. And I want Gabe.”

I flash the man beside me a nervous smile. He stares back, green eyes boring into mine… and when we look at each other, I swear the rest of the world melts away.

All the bullshit and blustering. The beige walls and stale dusty smell of this room. The stifling heat and my ranting uncle, droning on and on, his words washing over us like a stream tumbling over a creek bed.

Who cares what he’s saying? It’s definitely nonsense.

And my family has controlled me for far too long.

“Your college course,” Gabe mutters, because of course he’s thinking ahead like I am. “We shouldn’t risk your education.”

Chewing my bottom lip, I stare up at the man I’d risk it all for in a heartbeat. The man Iamrisking it all for, right this second,as my uncle stomps around and dials my father on the phone, getting ready to gang up on me as a family. Same as always.

“I could get a part time job,” I whisper. “One that actually pays me, unlike this. And with my savings… maybe…”

“You’ll live with me,” Gabe murmurs back, squeezing my hand. “So you won’t have to worry about rent or food or whatever. And I can help you out too, with the tuition. Let me help you, baby.”

Oh, god. That’s so intense after only a few dates; so much pressure for a new relationship. Does Gabe really want me that badly? Could we really make that work?

Can I take this leap of faith? Holy hell.

His gaze burns into me—urging me to be brave.

“I’ll pay you back,” I say quietly, my tummy swooping beneath my sweater. “One day.”

And Gabe beams at me, the corners of his eyes crinkling, his shoulders melting with relief. Hadn’t realized how tense he was until right this second, as all that strain bleeds away. He looks like he just won the multi-million dollar jackpot.

“I know you will.” Gabe leans down and brushes a kiss against my temple. “When you’re a big time fashion designer, jet setting around the world. You’ll take me with you, right?”

My heart thumps extra hard. “Always.”

So that’s that. We both turn back to my uncle, his phone held aloft so my dad can lecture and threaten us via speaker phone.Hattworth reputation, family name, irresponsible behavior,yada yada. Gabe grins along until my dad says something about how they’ve already picked out a fiance for me, then his frown slams back down.

“We’re leaving.” He tugs on my hand, pulling me toward where I flung my bag and coat. “Don’t listen to that bullshit, baby. Don’t let it get in your head.”

He actually sounds worried, too, like I might be tempted away by this mystery banker my parents picked out. As if.

“Bye, Uncle Roderick,” I call, giddy that we’re actually doing this. We’re walking away from my family—together. Shrugging off the straitjacket I’ve worn my whole life. “See ya never.”

My uncle splutters. Gabe jabs the elevator button, tugging me against his chest. He runs his hands up and down my arms, face buried in my hair.

“I like this sweater,” he says, voice muffled. “It’s fluffy.”

I laugh. The elevator pings.

It’s not the most dramatic getaway. We walk out hand in hand, unhurried, neither of us having raised our voices once, and go around the building to the scaffolding where Gabe calls up to Jimmy to finish the job. Says he’ll waive the rest of his fee if the older man will help us out.

It’s hard to see the guy all the way up there, silhouetted against the bright sky, but I make out a thumbs up.

“Done,” Gabe says happily. “This is a good Thursday morning.”

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