Page 46 of Mr. Infuriating

The next man I ended up with would be my partner, in every sense of the word.

I glanced at Gabe’s profile as he maneuvered his black F150 through Lancastle. I could see him being a good partner. The things I’d said last night were true—he seemed to be a caring dad, he hadn’t bad-mouthed his ex, and his brother thought he was great. I wondered what happened with his marriage.

Giving myself an internal shake, I chided myself.

It doesn’t matter. It’s none of my business.

“Did you cheat on your wife?”

What the hell, Gretchen?

I couldn’t believe I’d just blurted that out.

Gabe took his attention off the road to look over at me with raised eyebrows.

“That’s not my style.”

“Did she cheat on you, then?”

He shook his head with a chuckle. “There was no cheating involved. Why?”

I shrugged even though he was looking at traffic again and couldn’t see me.

“I’m just trying to figure out why someone would divorce you. You seem like a real catch.”

He seemed to be fighting a smile when he replied, “You mean, aside from being the infuriating Jerk of the Year.”

“I’ve managed to compartmentalize that part of your personality. You’ve graduated to just Mr. Infuriating.” I returned his grin. “The orgasms helped.”

He barked out a laugh.

“I told you I’d deliver.”

“Oh, you delivered. In spades.”

We were quiet as he turned the steering wheel. When the truck was headed straight again, he quietly observed, “You were pretty amazing yourself. You are definitely a catch. I don’t know what your ex was thinking.”

I glanced out the window at the stores as we passed and quietly uttered, “I couldn’t compete with someone ten years younger who fed his ego all day, every day.”

“He’s an insecure idiot.”

“I can’t argue there. But what about you? If there was no cheating, why are you divorced?”

His expression grew grim. “We just grew apart and wanted different things. Resentments festered that eventually grew into what the courts call ‘irreconcilable differences’.”

“I’m sorry,” I offered, unsure what else to say.

“I appreciate that, but don’t be. I don’t miss being married to her, but I do miss being with my kids.”

I wish Troy would at least miss being with Jake.

“Your kids are lucky to have such a good dad.”

His grin returned.

“I am pretty great.”

I once again found myself wishing there could be more between us.

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