Mike's Way Back (Finding Perfect) by Amy Gregory Read Free Book Online Page A

one of the good guys and there weren’t many of them. He hadn’t acted like the rest. Then again, he was a few years older. Maybe he didn’t know but she found that hard to believe. It was a small town and gossip was cheap.
    Even so, it was extremely weird for the blonde with legs that girls like Gabby would die for, to come in to her shop and announce that she was in love with Mike. She was a stranger that Gabby couldn’t give a rat’s ass about. She started to tell her just that when Taryn, apparently ignoring the eye roll and attitude Gabby was going for, continued on.
    “With your store. The building to be more exact.”
    That stopped Gabby cold. Surely she didn’t hear that right. “Excuse me?”
     
    ~~~
     
    Mike quietly mentioned after they left the bookstore, that the owner was a very quiet person. He even went so far as to warn her that Gabby James’s personality could be quiet off-putting. That didn’t scare Taryn. As a matter-of-fact she didn’t scare easily. She lived with two big brothers. A quiet, but possibly rude, bookworm wasn’t going to faze her. “I’m sorry, that probably came out sounding bizarre.”
    Gabby quirked one eyebrow, “Are you a mental patient?”
    Looking down at her attire for a second, then back to Gabby, Taryn smirked. “I’m not wearing a constrictive, and might I add, not very fashionable white coat am I?” Holding her hands up for the other woman to see, she grinned. “And my hands don’t appear to be restrained.” Gabby’s lips pursed and Taryn saw a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
    “Touché.” Gabby ran one hand through the bangs of her long dark hair. “What can I help you with?”
    Apparently Gabby was used to those who wouldn’t dare to approach her.  Maybe she really was shy and the bitch thing worked to keep society at bay.  Today was her unlucky day because Taryn had a million and one questions about the bookstore and no pressing plans until Andrew arrived in two days. She figured the owner probably didn’t offer to help very many people. Taryn tilted her head and continued, but kept the grin to herself. No need to piss of the queen of amazing personalities. “Like I said, this building is beautiful. I fell in love with it the minute I walked in.”
    The grin crossed Gabby’s face and quickly disappeared again. This time Taryn smiled back at her over the small victory. “I’m a designer. My partner and I were hired to renovate the vacant building down the block. Unfortunately, it might take some higher force to get me to leave town. It’s amazing here. It’s quaint and charming, but not behind the times. It’s quiet and beautiful, and oh, the architecture alone is enough to— ”
    “If you stand there and have an orgasm over an old building, I am seriously going to have Mike haul you to the loony bin where you can see ‘fashion’ up close and personal.”
    It was Taryn’s turn to roll her eyes. Although, Gabby wasn’t that far off base, it may have come close to happening once or twice, but that was personal information. Very personal and embarrassing information. That was how desperate her love life was. Damn men. It was a sad day when two-by-fours and cabinetry did more to excite her than her recent past sexual experiences. “I promise. I just…I guess I think you are lucky to call this home.” She waved her hand around her.
    Gabby raised an eyebrow.
    “Admit it Gabby. You love it here. This bookstore may have been in your family a long time, but you love it and wouldn’t leave.”
    “You are on crack, lady. You don’t know me from Adam.”
    “No I don’t.” Taryn said matter-of-fact, her professional tone never wavering. “But I’m right. Is there any way I could possibly bribe you into a tour of the building so I can get some ideas? I’d love to keep my designs in line with the buildings already here. The building I’m working on has great bones, but much of the uniqueness was stripped away years ago. What do you