Page 158 of Boss of Me

“I know you and Gunner have been going through a rough patch lately. No, don’t deny it,” she gently chides when I open my mouth. “Just because I stay out of your business doesn’t mean I’m clueless. Nothing happens under this roof that I don’t know about. And what I know, my dear girl, is that you’re just as miserable as he is.”

Tears burn my eyes and clog my throat, but I hold them back.

She cups my cheek in her hand, her touch exuding a comforting maternal warmth. “Things are complicated between you and Gunner, and there may be many more difficult times ahead. But as much as you’re hurting right now, please believe me when I tell you that everything will work out in the end.”

“I wish I shared your optimism,” I mumble.

She gazes at me with gentle sympathy. “Ransom men are notoriously easy to love and hard to forget. Once you give them your heart, they don’t ever give it back. They hold onto it, maybe selfishly, and it gets a little bumped and bruised along the way. But when a Ransom man loves you, he loves ferociously and with all his might. And he loves for a lifetime.”

Her words are a soothing balm on my battered emotions. I close my eyes, bowing my head as a few errant tears escape.

When she draws me into a warm hug, it’s all I can do not to break down sobbing in her arms. She holds me close, rubbing comforting circles on my back until a buzzing sound erupts from the depths of her large purse.

She lets out an exasperated sigh and releases me to retrieve her phone, rolling her eyes when she checks the screen. “Hold your horses, Dale. I’m coming,” she huffs, texting him back with freshly manicured fingers. “Impatient old coot.”

Despite my misery, I can’t help grinning.

Mrs. Calder gives me a ruefully apologetic look. “I’d better go before he hotwires a car and hightails it over here.”

My grin widens. “Has he ever done that before?”

She snorts. “This is Dale Ransom we’re talking about. Whathasn’the done?”

I laugh, thoroughly charmed as usual. “Give him my best.”

“Will do, dear.” She pats my cheek and winks at me before sailing out the door.

I lock up behind her, then take a deep breath and head down the hall in search of Gunner.

I find him in the library, standing next to the bookshelves on the far side of the room. He’s looking down at an open book in his hands, his straight hair falling over his forehead.

Steeling my nerves, I square my shoulders and advance into the room. “Looking for something to read on the trip? Don’t tell me you’ve already finishedKlara and the Sun?”

“Almost,” he murmurs without glancing up from his book. “Is something wrong with the Range Rover?”

“Not at all.” I keep my tone light. “Valeria and I had to meet some classmates for a group project, so we rode to class together. Afterward her car wouldn’t start and had to be towed. Neeraj was kind enough to give us a ride home.”

Gunner nods slowly and turns the page in his book.

“Please don’t tell me you’re mad,” I say, slightly exasperated. “Neeraj is just a classmate. I even rode in the backseat until Valeria was dropped off?—”

“I’m not mad.” There’s no inflection in his voice. “As you’ve often reminded me, I don’t own you. You can ride with whoever you want.”

Warning bells start clanging in my head.

“What’s going on, Gunner?” I blurt out, overcome with frustration.

He finally looks up at me. His eyes are hooded, his expression smooth as glass. “What do you mean?”

“You know damn well what I mean! How much longer are you going to ice me out?”

He calmly closes the large book and tucks it under his arm. Glimpsing the front cover, I see that it’s a collector’s edition artbook featuring famous abstract painters.

My skin goes cold.

Is he giving the book to Gianna? Are they going to snuggle in bed poring over the glossy pages, admiring the beautiful artwork and discussing artists that inspire her?

“I don’t want to fight with you.” His voice is low and measured. “If you’re looking for a fight, you won’t get it from me.”