Page 11 of Absinthe Minded

A win-win my ass.It’d taken me almost two years to get over him. I’d be damned if I’d put myself through that again. “I can’t do this with you.”

5

Gabe

My God,how did I let this woman go?They say contrasts are sexy, and I couldn’t agree more. Memories of us flooded my mind. My tan hands on her pale skin, her blonde curls and my dark hair spread out on a pillow, her soft curves against my hard… Sucking in a breath, I forced myself to make a U-turn on Memory Lane and focus on the woman in front of me.

Beauty, brains, and one hell of a temper, she wore her emotions like the sky wore clouds. One look, and I knew Hurricane Maggie was about to make landfall.

I rested my hands on her shoulders. “Mags, please. I’m sorry for the way things ended between us, but I have no clue how to take care of a baby, and my place in the Quarter isn’t exactly child proof.”

“Get a nanny. You can afford it.”

“It’ll take time to find someone. Give me two weeks. Enough to get me started.”And long enough to convince you how right we are for one another.

“Who’s running the bar while you’re here?”

“My cousin Jessie until I hire a manager.”

As if on cue, Ella squirmed and made unhappy noises.

Maggie raised a brow and nodded to the baby.

“Please.” I folded my hands and dropped to one knee. Cheesy, I know, but desperate times called for cheddar. “I’m in deep here. I can’t even figure out how to get her out of the car seat.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head. “You have four younger brothers. How’s it possible you’re so clueless with children?”

“Not children, just babies.” I hated feeling so damned helpless.

“Two weeks, no more.”

“Thank you.” I moved in for a hug.

Maggie blocked me by squatting and unfastening the buckles and straps holding Ella in the seat. She brought the baby to her shoulder. “I have aboyfriend, so don’t even think about getting physical. I’m not your nanny, maid, chef, or friend. Do I make myself clear?”

“Did I hurt you that bad?” As usual my mouth got ahead of my brain.

“Don’t flatter yourself. Ugh, she’s wet.” Maggie handed Ella to me.

I’d used port-a-potties that smelled better than the kid. Her diaper weighed more than she did and had leaked through her clothes.

“Change her in the bedroom. I need to cancel the sitterandmy date. I can’t leave you alone with four kids.” She spun and walked toward the kitchen.

I adjusted Ella to prevent the mess from seeping into my shirt. “That’s crazy. Go out. I’ll watch them.”

“Isn’t learning to take care of a child the reason you’re here? I’m canceling the date.” She jabbed her finger into my chest. “I want to toss you out on your perfectly sculpted backside, but I can’t do that to Ella. She didn’t ask her mother to abandon her with a class-A asshole.”

I sucked in a breath and took a step back. I’d handled our breakup like a coward. She had every right to her anger, but that didn’t make it easier to swallow.

Rather than continuing the argument, I winked. “Nice to know you still think I have a nice ass.”

She glared.

Zach, my oldest nephew, came down the hall and did a double take. “Uncle Gabe? What are you doing here?”

I clamped a hand on his shoulder. “I’m going to stay here for a couple of weeks.”

“That’s great.” The teenager motioned to Ella. “Whose baby?”

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