Too handsome, is more like it. All that dark hair tinged with gold, the intense hazel eyes, rugged bone structure, and too tempting mouth—he’s definitely gorgeous.
Not to mention that amazing body and big ol’ . . .
“He sounds delightful. Is he coming here to pick you up?” Mom asks, her expression beyond hopeful.
“I’m meeting him at the restaurant,” I answer, ignoring her disappointment. I can’t let it bother me. If I had Gage pick me up at the house, he’d get the third degree. My father would probably make him fill out a questionnaire to see if he’s good enough to go out with me or not, and we’d end up here for hours. In the end, Gage would run screaming from my house, never to return.
And I wouldn’t doubt for an instant that Gage is using me to get close to my father. Considering I’m using him to get an in with Archer, I guess I can’t complain.
“I don’t know if I like that,” Mom murmurs, shaking her head.
I start going through my clothing again, pushing aside one hanger after another. “Let’s see if this goes any further before I bring him around here, okay?”
“Of course.” Mom nods but she still looks a little heartbroken. “I understand. Well, I’ll let you get back to your search. Let me know if you need any help.”
I watch her leave, jumping a little when she slams the door behind her.
I’ve disappointed her. Again. This time it hangs heavy over me. She makes me feel like a little kid. When am I ever going to do anything right in her eyes?
Exiting my closet, I grab my cell from my bedside table, shocked to see I have a text message from Gage. We exchanged phone numbers before we got off the phone earlier, but I didn’t expect to hear from him.
How about I come pick you up tonight? Instead of meeting at the restaurant?
I frown. Did the man bug my room or what? It’s like he heard the conversation between my mom and me.
I’d rather just meet you at the restaurant. It’s easier, I reply.
He immediately answers.
It’s no trouble. Really.
The guy doesn’t quit. From what I can tell—and I barely know him—he’s always determined to get what he wants. It’s rather annoying. I need to nip this in the bud.
I’d rather you not meet my family. And I’d rather drive my own car.
There. Brutally honest might shut him up. Though I immediately feel guilty for sending such a bitchy text, I push the unwanted emotion aside. I need to remind myself he’s a jerk who only wants one thing from me.
And it’s not sex. He wants to make money off my family.
This time he takes a little longer to reply.
I have met your family. Your aunt . . . remember?
I let out a sigh. He fights just to fight, doesn’t he? I think he likes going round and round.
Then meet me at the bakery at seven. Though I’ll probably be alone. Gina leaves early.
I should make Gina stick around as the buffer. The last thing we need is to be at the bakery alone again. He might try and spread me naked across my desk and have his wicked way with me.
Lord help me, that sounds delicious.
I’ll see you at the bakery at seven then.
Nothing else. No more trying to convince me to let him come to my house, no more nothing. I think I might’ve offended him.
I know I shouldn’t care. I know it’s pointless, but . . .
I feel bad.
Chapter Eight
* * *
Marina
“HOPE YOUR BOY Toy shows up soon. I’m about ready to take off,” Gina mutters as she wipes her hands on a rag at the sink. She’s just finished making a new creation, and I told her I’d wanted her to stick around for Gage’s arrival so I could use her for protection.
She’d been surprised but hadn’t made me explain myself too much, thank God. Just nodded, told me she was in the mood to experiment and since it was my Uncle Joe’s poker night, she would stay after work and hang out with me.
So I watched her make a chocolate raspberry cake that smelled divine and had the best frosting I’ve ever tasted. All the while, we talked. About the bakery, what our individual plans were for the next year, what we thought we could to do take the bakery to a higher level.
It was fun. My aunt is savvy about business, creative, with an endless list of ideas. I briefly explained how I was going to meet Archer. She thought it was a fabulous idea, which pleased me. I wanted her on board. I consider Gina my business partner, and I hope she feels the same way.
Plus, she helped ease my nerves about Gage coming to pick me up and take me to dinner. As the time draws closer to Gage showing up, I’m worrying about potentially bad situations. Like the two of us alone in his car on the way to the restaurant. Yeah, that could be scary.