Tangled with the Tight End (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 32

thirty-two

GAbrIEL

The second I step inside Lips & Hips, my gaze darts around the room, searching for her, but she’s not behind the register or mingling with the customers. Which means she’s in the kitchen. My heart thuds in my chest. I’d love to see her splayed wide for me amongst a bunch of cupcakes and frosting.

Behind me, the door shuts, and the chimes signal a new guest has entered the store. I glance behind me. “Grandma?”

My grandmother, Lilliana, my mom’s mother walks toward me. “Hello, Gabriel.” Her eyes twinkle as she opens her arms.

I step into her, envelop the older woman with the Texas twang into my arms, and inhale her scent–coconut with a hint of pineapple. “What’re you doing here?” I gently squeeze her and step back.

She grins. “I came to see my two grandsons.” She unbuttons her knee-length coat. “Your mother was overjoyed when Marco called her and shared the good news. So, I’ve come to see this girl you’re dating. She sent me on my way to watch Gino so you and this woman can have more private time together.”

I shake my head. Leave it to my mom. She’s in the middle of the ocean and still orchestrating my love life.

“Come on over and have a seat.” I lead her to an empty table, but there’s still no sight of Norah in the room. After I scoot the chair back under the table, I join her. “It’s good to see you, but you don’t have to watch Gino.”

“Yes.” Her eyes narrow into slits. “Yes, I do. Your mother has high hopes for this one, and I met her by accident this morning. She didn’t know who I was and offered to help me get to my car.”

One corner of my mouth arches upward. “And you let her?”

“Why not? It’s not often that you meet a beautiful girl who’s kind and helpful to a complete stranger.” One of her eyebrows arches upward. “Her eyes glowed when she talked about you.”

“I’m glad.” I lean back into my seat and smile. She’s happy. Even when I’m not around her, I still make her happy, and she’s kind to strangers. Elderly strangers who play games for fun. What more could I ask for? Absolutely nothing.

“Did you tell her who you were?”

“Who my family was? Yes? Who I am? No.” She laughs as one of Norah’s staff takes our orders. The chimes of the door opening and closing continues behind us. We order drinks and nothing else. As my grandmother’s gaze travels the room, she places her hands on the table. “This place is nice. I like it. I should invest.”

No, my grandmother is not the wife of a rancher. She’s the spouse of an investment banker. A wealthy investment banker in Texas. He’s her second husband. A man she met after my grandfather passed.

But she’s been with him since I was in grade school, so I barely remember my grandfather. Silas was the man. Not only did he know finance, but he also played quarterback in high school and college when he was a kid. He taught me how to invest my allowance, and how to catch a perfect spiral.

“What do you think of the town?”

The waitress brings our drinks. “Actually, I love this town. It’s perfect. Small, majestic views. Quaint shops. It’s a wonderful tourist attraction.”

I tap my fingertips on the table. “Marco and I are thinking about opening a restaurant here. What do you think?”

“It’s a great idea.” She tilts her head as the door jingles and clanks shut, but I don’t look. My grandmother’s keen eyes have me invested in her take on the town. “So, this is serious between you and the girl?”

“I think so.” My heart skips a beat. “Check that. I know so.”

I glance over at the register as if I sense her presence, only to find Norah laughing as Sawyer says something to her. Seriously? My hands ball into fists. Can’t the guy ever take a hint?

“Excuse me for a moment.” I slip out of my seat and march around the nearest table, stalking toward the cash register.

Norah’s eyes catch mine, and she smiles. For a second, I forget to breathe. That smile is just for me, and it’s beautiful. As I continue to stride forward, her smile falters, and she bites her bottom lip. The second she realizes my intent, her eyes widen. “Sawyer.”

“Yes?” He rakes a hand through his hair.

“Um….” Her eyes never leave mine.

Sawyer spins on his heel and flinches when he sees me. He raises his hands, palms facing outward. “We’re friends, nothing else.”

I lay my arm over Norah’s shoulders and haul her tightly to my side. “I know that, but do you?”

“Yes.” His head moves up and down. “I wouldn’t have asked her, even in jest, if I knew the two of you were together.”

He’s not a small man, but he’s not decked out in muscles, either. And to my 6’ 5” height, he’s nearly a head shorter. I believe him. I don’t think he’s dumb enough to intentionally mess with me.

“Gabriel.” Norah straightens and gives me a look. “Be nice.”

“I am nice.” I twirl my finger in one of the curls that escaped her ponytail. “I didn’t punch him for asking my girl to marry him. I consider that amazing restraint on my part.”

She laughs and rests her head on my chest. “I agree. Your restraint is impressive.”

I envelop her in my arms and inhale her musky scent mixed with sugar, butter, and flour. How long is it to closing time?

As if she senses my train of thought, she wraps her arms around my waist and bites her lips together. I sense the moan that threatens to escape her lips and nearly shudder. But instead, I return my attention to Sawyer. “I expect you to never ask her that question again.”

“I have no intentions of doing so. It was more in jest than anything else.”

“In jest or not.” My jaw tightens. “Don’t do it again.” The jealousy flowing through me is a new emotion. I don’t know what to do with it.

“I understand.”

Norah pulls back and places a hand on my cheek. “You don’t have to be jealous.”

“I’m n–” I cut off my own words, groan, and seal her lips with mine. I might as well eat my own words before they come out. I don’t want another man touching her, kissing her, asking her to be their wife. Not when she’s mine. Mine.

Fuck it. “I’m not jealous. I’m possessive. It’s way more than jealous.” I stroke her back, but I’m careful to keep things light since we’re in her business. Even though it takes every ounce of restraint to control my instinct to take her against the counter.

“Well….” Sawyer coughs and clears his throat. What was he thinking asking her to marry him before I got the chance to?

Marriage? I’m going to ask her to marry me. There’s no question in my mind whether it’s the right thing to do or not.

I step back, putting space between us, and turn to speak to Sawyer. He’s gone, but my grandmother beams like a Cheshire cat. “What time do you get off?”

“Maddie can handle the shop today. Why? Did you want me to take you and Gino somewhere?”

“No.” I grit my teeth to contain my appetite for her. I can control myself. I’m not a brute. “No, I’m taking you back to your place and making love to you unless you have an objection?”

She shivers. “What about Gino?”

“My mother so wonderfully sent me a gift.” I cup her face and drown in her eyes. “She sent her mother to watch Gino so we can have some alone time to get to know each other better.”

She slips her arms around my neck and slightly arches into me as the remaining guests return to their meals. “I have some places I’d love for you to get to know me better.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes.” She almost purrs, and my cock twitches.

“Grandma Lilliana?” I don’t bother looking behind me as I clasp Norah’s hand and drag her toward the kitchen. “Marco is dropping Gino off at 5.”

“I’ve got him.” Her cheerful voice follows us. “Just focus on having a good time, and we’ll talk about your plans later.”

“Grab some cupcakes.”

She blinks and wrinkles her nose. “Are you hungry?”

“Famished.”