Screwdriver

Screwdriver by Mari Carr Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: Screwdriver by Mari Carr Read Free Book Online
Authors: Mari Carr
opposition to each other.
    Gabriel gestured to an empty chair nearby. “Mind if I join
you?”
    “Not at all.” Jordan moved her packages out of the way as
Gabriel pulled the chair over and sat down.
    “What are you shopping for?”
    Casey gave her a friendly smile. “Jordan decided to update
her wardrobe a bit. She found some pretty smokin’ outfits. She’s going for a
new look all around.”
    Gabriel frowned slightly. “What was wrong with the old
look?”
    Jordan laughed and rolled her eyes. “Um, I don’t know. Maybe
everything.”
    She’d clearly meant her words as a joke but they triggered
Casey’s temper. “I said the same thing, but the crazy woman doesn’t seem to
realize how pretty she is.”
    Gabriel scowled. “You don’t think you’re pretty?”
    Jordan blew out an exasperated breath. “I’m okay, I guess.”
    Gabriel shook his head. “You’re more than okay, Jordy.”
    She smiled at the nickname. “You know, you’re the only
person who’s ever called me Jordy and lived to tell the tale.”
    Gabriel wiggled his eyebrows. “You realize every time you
tell me that it’s the equivalent of triple-dog-dare to keep it up. Listen, I
wanted to apologize for yesterday. I acted like an ass.”
    Jordan shrugged, unconcerned. “I figured the heat just made
you crabby.”
    Gabriel leaned closer and tugged on Jordan’s hair. “I don’t
get crabby.”
    Jordan snorted, letting him know his words were bullshit.
“So how was your date? Or should I call it an orgy?”
    Gabriel didn’t acknowledge her joke. Instead his smile
dimmed as his face sobered, becoming far too serious. “I didn’t go out with
either one of them.”
    “Why not?” Jordan asked.
    Casey watched the two of them converse, feeling like an
outsider. He’d invited Jordan out for the sole purpose of helping to move
things along with her and Gabriel. Now that his plan appeared to have worked,
he couldn’t help but feel…sad.
    Gabriel looked at him. His gaze had lost its hardness, its
anger. “I didn’t want to go out with them.”
    Jordan seemed oblivious to the change in Gabriel’s demeanor.
“Wow. Moving on so soon? I don’t think either of those women made it past the
first date, did they? You must be slowing down in your old age.”
    Casey laughed at her jest. Jordan certainly had the friend
gig down pat. If she hadn’t confessed her feelings, Casey wouldn’t know of her
interest either. No wonder Gabriel had never pushed for more.
    Casey’s cell phone rang. “Shit. Sorry about that.” He
recognized the number of the hardware store. “I have a feeling this is about
the part for your AC,” he said as he answered the phone.
    Stepping away from the table, he spoke briefly to the clerk
about picking up the part while Gabriel and Jordan talked at the table. Gabriel
seemed friendly, lighthearted. For the moment, it appeared his old friend had
returned.
     
    Gabriel watched Casey walk away from the table and knew his
time alone with Jordan would be short. “I really am sorry for acting like such
a prick yesterday, Jordy.”
    “Gabe, it’s no big deal. You talk about your dates all the
time. If you want to start doubling up to save time—”
    “Don’t. Don’t do that. Not today.”
    She paused. “Do what?”
    “Make a joke about my asshole lifestyle. I’ve let things get
out of control the past couple of years. God knows you’ve told me enough. I can
see that now.”
    Jordan leaned back in her chair. “Wow. Who turned on the
light?”
    “Casey said something yesterday and it’s sort of stuck with
me.”
    She frowned. “What did he say?”
    “Two things. He said you were interested in me beyond the
realm of friendship. Is that true?”
    Jordan blushed and looked away. He thought he heard her
whisper, “He knew?” but he couldn’t be sure.
    He turned her face to his with a finger on her chin. “Is it
true?”
    She nodded.
    “He also said I was going to lose you to someone else if I
didn’t open my eyes.

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