Page 26 of Mr. Infuriating

“So having a baby with his new wife makes him unwise?”

“Starting over at his age does, yeah. I couldn’t even imagine having a baby at thirty-nine let alone forty-two. It’d be lunacy.”

Disappointment zinged through me.

Gabriel’s response immediately moved him into the “not gonna happen” column. I was surprised at how let down I felt about that. Not that I’d had a chance to begin with. But even if he really was interested, I wouldn’t date him now.

“But I’ve never seen Mav happier,” Derrick chimed in as he wiped down the bar in front of me.

“That’s true,” Gabriel replied with his arm still thrown along the back of my chair.

I liked the feeling of his possessiveness, and Laura’s one-night stand suggestion sounded better and better. Maybe there wasn’t a future beyond tonight with this man, but maybe tonight was all I needed.

Besides, my confidence could use a boost.

I can’t go home with a stranger, my conscience reminded me.

The drunk devil on my shoulder chimed in.Get to know him better so he’s not a stranger.

I leaned into Gabriel’s body and asked, “So, what’s your business?”

He narrowed his eyes, like my question confused him, so I clarified.

“You said Maverick is a silent investor in all the brothers’ businesses. I know Derrick’s is the bar, what’s yours?”

“Oh, I—”

“Sorry this took so long,” Derrick announced as he set a hamburger and fries in front of me, sliders and fries in front of Laura, and then a burger and fries in front of Gabriel.

Gabriel looked up at his brother. “I didn’t order this.”

Derrick shrugged as he set silverware rolled in napkins in front of us. “I figured you were hungry.”

Gabriel smiled as he placed his napkin in his lap. “Thanks, bro. I am.”

“I got your back, big brother.”

I bit a fry and groaned out loud.

“You weren’t lying,” I told Laura. “These fries are amazing.”

“It’s the beer batter,” Gabriel interjected.

“That’s what Derrick said.” I picked up another fry, but before putting it in my mouth, said, “So, you were telling me about your business.”

Before Gabriel could answer, Derrick asked, “Do you want ketchup or mustard?”

“Can I have Ranch dressing?” Laura asked.

“Oh, yes, can I have some, too? And ketchup?”

Derrick’s eyebrows went into his hairline. “Ranch dressing?”

“For the fries.”

“I can’t decide if I should be offended,” he grumbled. “Please tell me you don’t put steak sauce on your steaks.”

“Of course not,” Laura answered.

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