Page 59 of Mr. Infuriating

“Is ten too early to bring the next load?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “There’s more?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, sweetheart. Two more truckloads worth.”

“Oh, wow.” She studied the number of cabinets sitting in her garage before nodding her head. “Yeah, that makes sense.”

Squeezing Derrick’s shoulder, I told him, “Thanks for your help, little brother.”

“That’s what family’s for. I’m sure I owe you.”

I shook my head as we walked toward his car. “I’m not keeping score.”

He grinned when he opened up the driver’s door. “That’s probably a good thing, since I’m sure you’d be winning.”

Gretchen stood at my side, and I almost—almost—wrapped my arm around her, like we were a couple.

She’d silently watched us as we moved her cabinets, and I’d wished they weren’t wrapped so she could see how beautiful they were. And maybe she’d envision them in her kitchen.

A reminder that I needed to talk to Maverick about a payment plan for her.

She called to Derrick, “Thank you. Do you want some water for the road?”

“I’ve got my water bottle in the car but thank you.” He flashed a knowing grin at the two of us before sliding in the driver’s seat. “You kids have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow at your shop at nine-thirty.” He reached for the door handle, then paused before closing it. “Don’t be late.”

His door shut before I could respond I was never late.

Then again, he knew that.

We stood in the driveway and waved as Derrick drove away, then I reached for her hand.

“Come on, I want to show you how great your cabinets turned out.”

****

Gretchen

I want you to show me how great you look naked.

I’m pretty sure I’d started ovulating as I watched Gabe move the cabinets from his truck bed to my garage floor and couldn’t wait until we were alone.

It would probably be bad form to jump him right there with all the neighbors to see. I’d given them enough of an eyeful last night.

But I don’t know how anyone could even fault me… the guy was freaking hot.

And as he removed the roll of foam wrapped around one of the cabinets, I could add “talented” to the list of all the things I liked about him.

I ran my hand along the top of one of the doors, and whispered, “Wow.”

When I looked over at him, he was grinning from ear to ear.

“I told you they were beautiful.” He stared down at the woodwork before adding wistfully, “I put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into these babies.”

“I can’t believe you made these—by hand.”

Gabe’s laughter echoed off the garage walls.

“What did you think you were paying for, sweetheart?”

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