“Hell yeah. Not going to let her fuck you over like she did last time,” Jace bit out. “She’s still living like she’s married to you. Hasn’t downgraded in that department. High-maintenance bitch.”
Gabe grinned. “No worries there, man. I’m not dipping back into those waters.”
“That’s good to hear,” Ash said, relief evident in his voice.
Gabe’s eyes narrowed. Had there been any doubt? Then he realized. Jace and Ash were worried.
“I can handle Lisa,” Gabe said easily. “She’s a manipulative, grasping bitch. Lesson learned.”
Jace and Ash nodded their agreement. The waitresses came back with the drinks and spent several minutes flirting with Jace and Ash. They left Gabe alone. Maybe they sensed he wasn’t in the mood. He had zero interest in these girls when he knew Mia was in his bed waiting.
Drink in hand, Jace turned to Gabe when the waitresses disappeared. “So how are things working out with Mia?”
Gabe was instantly on alert. He’d already had one come-to-Jesus moment with Jace over this. He didn’t want it to be a bone of contention between them. Before he could say anything, Jace continued.
“I know I busted your balls about it, and yeah, I probably overreacted. It just caught me off guard. I didn’t like Mia working in that damn pastry shop, but I figured she just needed time to figure out what she wanted to do. She worked hard in school. She probably just needs a break to sort herself out, and I’m not in a hurry for her to do that. She has me. I’ll provide anything she needs and I don’t want her to feel pressured.”
A huge surge of guilt hit Gabe right in the gut. He’d definitely pressured Mia. No doubt about that. Not that he regretted it. He’d be a damn liar if he said otherwise. But still…
“She’s working out great, Jace,” Gabe said in a casual tone. “She’s smart and she’s motivated. She’s already finding her place. She works her ass off and she has her shit together. She wowed investors at the cocktail party she attended with me. Everyone at work seems to like her and has responded well to her presence. I’m sure many of them figure she got the job because of who she is, but she’s proven she deserves to be there.”
“Well, and who can’t like her?” Ash cut in. “She’s sweet and friendly. Not a mean bone in that girl’s body.”
“If anyone says shit to her I want to know about it,” Jace bit out.
Gabe held his hand up. “I have this, man. And if you think about it, it’s a hell of a lot better for her not to work for you. This way she can prove she deserves the job because she’s not working for her big brother. I’m not going to be a hardass with her but I’ll expect her to do her job. You’d just coddle her and baby her to death.”
Ash burst into laughter. “He totally nailed you with that one, man. If she had so much as a hangnail, you’d be sending her home.”
Jace grinned. “Okay, okay, you both have a good point.” Then he grew more serious. “I just want what’s best for her. I want her to be happy. She’s all I have.”
Gabe and Ash both nodded. “I get it,” Gabe said. “In your position, I’d feel the same. But lighten up. Let her spread her wings a bit. I think you’ll be surprised at just how much she can do without you hovering over her.”
Then in an effort to move the conversation away from Mia so Gabe wasn’t in such an awkward position, he glanced at Jace and Ash with a half grin. “Brunette history or what?”
Ash groaned and Jace just looked pissed.
Gabe raised his eyebrows. “That bad?”
“Batshit crazy,” Ash muttered. “Not one of our better decisions to hook up with her for a few days. Hell, she even knew it was temporary. Very temporary.”
Jace kept silent, his face still dark.
“Let’s just say she didn’t take it too well and she definitely did not get the message. She blew up both our phones for a few days.”
Gabe’s brow furrowed. “You gave her your cell numbers? Are you out of your minds?”
“Fuck no,” Jace exploded, speaking for the first time. “She called the office. Repeatedly. Had to threaten to report her for harassment before she finally chilled out.”
Gabe laughed. “You two sure know how to pick them.”
“Crazy,” Ash muttered again. “I don’t know how much clearer we could have been.”
Gabe lifted his shoulder in a shrug. “Be more discerning next time.”
Jace snorted. “Maybe we should just have contracts like you. Get all that shit sorted out before sex.”