Savage Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance by Ruby Shae Read Free Book Online Page B

ridiculous,” Gabe said. “Spill.”
    “Well…I’m thinking about opening a small barbeque pit, but something so big is a bit daunting right now. A smaller venue would still build an audience while allowing me to test the waters.”
    “Great idea,” Gabe said. “How about Friday and Saturday nights?”
    The man’s automatic agreement surprised him, and he felt the same mushy feeling he’d experienced when Leah had given him the mugs. Damn! He was turning into a wuss, but he still needed one more thing.
    “That sounds great, but I think the girls are going to need some extra help on the floor.”
    “I’m sure your mate could help them out permanently,” Gabe offered.
    “Are you sure about this?” Jared asked.
    “Absolutely,” Gabe said. “I think it’s an excellent plan, and we can meet next Tuesday to discuss the details. That should give you plenty of time to get your girl on board.”
    They shook hands and Jared left the building happy and excited. The two feelings were foreign to his normal tense, brooding demeanor, but he welcomed the change.
    He’d already met with the realtor and his tattoo artist, and had Leah’s car towed, but there was one more stop to make before his plan was ready to be set in motion.
    The pushy sales clerk in the jewelry store followed him around for over an hour, and he was about to give up when he’d spotted the perfect ring.
    It was a blue topaz and diamond eternity band in platinum gold. The setting was impressive without being gaudy, and classic without being plain. The blue reminded him of her striking eyes, and she deserved more than one diamond for putting up with him this far. If she agreed to marry him, an eternity band would seal the deal properly.
    The only thing left on the list was convincing his girl to say yes.
     
    ***
     
    Leah glanced at her cell-phone again and cringed.
     
    Jessica: Jared’s gone again…we know what u guys are doing. LOL!
    Meg: Get yours girl…don’t let that man get away. Love u!
    Ashley: Who needs money when you’ve got hot sex! Have fun u 2!
     
    If she took the time to tell her friends she and Jared had broken up, they would stop, but she didn’t want to share the news just yet. Unfortunately, the women were a powerful force when they decided to do something. It was a good thing her cell plan had unlimited texting.
    It had been two days since she’d watched Jared race out of her apartment building parking lot, and during those two days, he’d also missed work. She’d elected to skip the Wild Bear both nights, too, so her friends automatically assumed they were playing hooky together.
    She would worry about his safety if she hadn’t spoken to him the day before, but she had.
     
    “Hello?”
    “Hi Leah, its Jared. I’m just calling to let you know I had your car towed to Blake’s Auto Repair. He said it should be finished by tomorrow morning. He’ll give you a call when it’s done, and someone from the shop will pick you up. Do you need a ride to work today?”
    “You had no right to tow my car,” she seethed. How dare he end their relationship and then think he still had control over her.
    “It needed to be fixed,” he answered back, calmly.
    “Yes, and I’m perfectly capable of taking care of it on my own,” she said. “Look, Jared. I followed all of your rules and you still decided to let me go. What I do, or don’t do, with my car is no longer your concern. Please don’t call me anymore.”
     
    She’d hung up the phone and fought the threatening tears. Telling him to leave her alone was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, and she wanted to take it all back. The only reason she didn’t was because that would put them right back where they’d started, and she couldn’t go there again.
    Somewhere along the way, her plans had changed. Instead of being satisfied with a one night stand, or a relationship full of sex and nothing else, she wanted more. She wanted bear mugs in the kitchen, and a