Page 8 of Mr. Infuriating (Mister #1)
The corner of his mouth hitched and the lines around his blue eyes crinkled as he sat down. “Good to know.”
“I’m Gretchen,” I said as I offered my hand. “This is my friend, Laura.”
He nodded at my friend with a smile then took my hand in his calloused one. “Gabriel.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Gabriel.”
His eyes twinkled like he had a secret as he studied my face for a beat before it seemed like his whole body relaxed, and he replied, “The pleasure is all mine, Gretchen.”
****
Gabe
She doesn’t know who I am.
That much was obvious by the way she was smiling at me.
I caught Derrick’s eye as he pulled my beer from the tap, and he quickly pointed to Gretchen and mouthed, “That’s her!”
What were the fucking odds? I was sitting next to the woman who, not more than two hours ago, sent me a text telling me what an infuriating jerk I was and that her attorney would be in touch, and now she was flirting with me .
The same woman I’d been unable to tear my gaze from the first time I saw her. Tonight wasn’t faring much different.
She was even prettier up close. I could see the freckles across her nose and cheeks, and the floral scent of her perfume sent my olfactory receptors into overdrive.
I knew I should come clean right then and tell her who I was, but I liked the way she was looking at me too much.
If she knew I was Gabe Mitchell —infuriating Jerk of the Year (her words—not mine) her playful smile would surely morph into a scowl, maybe even a right hook.
I didn’t want that, at least not yet, and I definitely didn’t want the punch.
I decided I’d enjoy my time with her while it lasted, but I knew I needed to fill my brother in with the CliffsNotes version of what was going on with her, so he didn’t blow my cover.
“Hey, Derrick—did you bring that card for Mom for me to sign?”
That was a code we’d been using since we were kids. Fortunately, he didn’t miss a beat.
“Yeah, it’s in my office. Why don’t we go back there; it’s less likely to get something spilled on it if you sign it on my desk.”
I gave Gretchen a wink as I slid off the barstool and told her, “Save my seat for me.”
“Of course. Hurry back so I don’t have to fight anyone for it.”
“I won’t be long, darlin’.”
Did I just call her darlin ’?
Yeah, I did. It had come out without a second thought.
I was going to need to be on my A-game around her, so I better nurse my beer.
“What’s going on?” Derrick asked once we walked into his office, and he closed the door.
“That Gretchen chick? Yeah, she’s a client, and she tried to cancel her custom cabinet order— after I finished them.”
“Oooh, not good. I’m assuming you told her no.”
“Yeah, but… she… well, she heard me tell Rick that unless she wanted to ride my dick there was no way that was happening since we had a contract, and they were already finished.”
“Oh shit!”
“Yeah, it, uh, gets worse.”
“It gets worse?”
“Our attorney served her with an intent to sue today.”
My brother started laughing. “Ohhhh, fuuuuck.”
“Obviously she doesn’t know I’m Gabe Mitchell , so, let’s keep it that way. Don’t mention what I do, or what our last name is.”
“I wondered why you introduced yourself as Gabriel. I thought maybe you were trying something new.”
I chuckled. “Nope.”
“You know she’s going to want to know what you do for a living. That’s like the second question people ask when they meet someone.”
I sighed. I really didn’t want to outright lie to her. Omission was one thing, but lying was next level.
“Maybe you could run interference for me if she asks?”
“Yeah, I can do that.”
“Thanks.”
Derrick’s face split into a big grin.
“I was right though, huh? She’s exactly your type. ”
“Yeah,” I chuckled. “I mean, minus the whole hating my guts thing, and possibly suing her, I could see myself wanting to get to know her better.”
“Stranger things have happened.”
“Don’t get any ideas, little brother. Once she finds out who I really am…” I shook my head. “Ain’t happenin’.”
“So, why don’t you just tell her now?”
Because I like how she’s looking at me.
I shrugged. “I don’t want to ruin her night. She seems to be having a good time with her friend. If she knew who I was, she’d want to leave, and then I’d feel bad.”
“But you don’t feel bad for suing her?”
“I’m hoping she comes to her senses, and I don’t have to sue her. Her cabinets are fucking beautiful. If she’d just agree to get them installed, she’d see that for herself.”
He clapped his hand on my shoulder and squeezed.
“Well, bro, I hope she does, too. In the meantime, your secret is safe tonight.”
“Thanks.”
“Now, get back out there and charm the pants off her. Maybe you could even get her to come around and get her cabinets installed so you don’t have to take her to court.”
Or maybe she’d ride my dick, and we could strike up a deal.
No!
That wasn’t an option!
But looking into her cornflower blue eyes, I conceded, I’d be willing to think twice about it. It might even be worth Maverick’s wrath.
My bank account on the other hand…