Page 25 of When We Breathe
“Hey, Alex,” he says, wiping his hands on a rag that already looks dirty. “What can I do for you?”
My eyes skim the area, looking for Gabe, as I answer him.
“My car’s check engine light has been on for a few weeks, and this morning, the AC decided to die on me.”
“Not a convenient time for that,” he says with a nod. “We can work it in today, but it probably won’t be until this afternoon.”
“Oh, there’s no rush. I walk almost everywhere anyway.”
Gabe comes sauntering around a Jeep, a wrench in his hand. When he sees me, his gorgeous brown eyes darken, and he walks my way. My heart stutters. How in the hell am I supposed to keep my guard up againstthat? For fuck’s sake, it should be illegal for him to look like that. He’s in faded, worn blue jeans with a black T-shirt, the sleeves of which hug his biceps, showing off every ripple, every vein.
It’s suddenly hot in here.
“Good morning,” Gabe says, looking me up and down.I’m just in a blue sundress today, nothing fancy, but the way he licks his lower lip, he obviously likes what he sees.
“Hey. I’m dropping my car off to you guys.”
Brooks’s eyebrow wings up as he watches our exchange, and I simply smile at him.
“Good. I’ll get it back to you later today,” Gabe says.
“Just call me and I’ll come pick it up,” I reply, but Gabe’s already shaking his head.
“I’ll bring it to you,” he says simply.
“I’m going back to work,” Brooks announces. “It’s always good to see you, Alex.”
“You too, Brooks. Thank you.”
Gabe’s lips twitch as Brooks walks away.
“I think you’re going to get questions after I leave.”
“Nah, Brooks isn’t one for gossip.” He shrugs. “But if he asks, I’ll tell him the truth.”
“And what’s the truth?”
“That I am one lucky son of a bitch.” He grins when I snort, then shakes his head. “Fuck, I want to touch you, but I’m a mess right now.”
“No dirtying up this dress. I’m walking over to get some coffee and see Billie. You have a good day.”
“I’ll see you this afternoon,” he replies. “Be careful out there.”
I blow him a kiss, then leave the garage and walk the few blocks to the coffee shop. I’m a sweaty mess by the time I get there, and I sigh in relief when I walk through the door and the cool air washes over me.
“Holy hell, it’s hot out there.”
Millie, my sister-in-law and the owner of thiscoffee shop, grins over at me from behind the counter. Standing in front of her is my brother, Holden. No one else seems to be around.
“Did I miss the rush?” I ask as I walk over and let my brother wrap his arms around me, hugging me close. I feel his lips in my hair, and it settles me.
Holden has always been my safe place. My big brother, fierce protector, father figure. He’s the only true parent I’ve ever known, and I love him so fiercely that it sometimes makes me emotional.
Because this man sacrificed so much for me and my sisters, and he never complained. Not once.
“It just slowed down,” Millie says. “Iced or hot today?”
“Iced. It’s a million degrees outside.” I don’t move out of Holden’s hug as I reply to Millie.
