So Right With You by Maggie Kaye Read Free Book Online Page A

you would have missed me. This is your lucky day.” The man’s body trembled as he moved. He was obviously afflicted with Parkinson’s or some other kind of neurological disorder. The man reached down again to lift the gate up.
    Garrett automatically reached to help. “Thanks, I really appreciate this.” Once inside, he took out his key ring and removed his two house keys, handing them to the locksmith.
    “It’s going to take a minute to get the machine warmed up.” He hit the switch. “You two getting married or something?”
    “Something like that,” Garrett answered.
    “That’s good. Congratulations. I don’t get these people who go around cohabitating. Now, you take me and my Noreen. Been together going on, let me see, forty-six years last July. We have five kids, fifteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and there’s another great on the way. Some people don’t take their vows seriously. You know, for better or for worse and all that. They want everything to be easy. Nothing worth it in this world comes easy. You have to work at it. Oh, lookie there. I think it’s warm enough. We’ll have you on your way in a jiffy.” The man looked at Chloe and asked, “You two planning on having kids?”
    She nodded, not about to disillusion the man.
    “Good. That’s what life is all about. Family.”
    They watched in amazement at the precision the locksmith was able to exhibit while making both keys. When he finished, the man examined his handiwork before handing both keys to Garrett. “Here you go.”
    “Let me have your key ring, Chloe, so I can put these on for you,” Garrett said, turning toward her. She reached into her purse and extracted her keys. As she handed them to him, she felt a spark where their fingers met. She gazed into Garrett’s eyes and saw he was experiencing it, too.
    Garrett easily attached both keys. “Here,” he said gruffly.
    The locksmith said, “I think you two should exchange a kiss to celebrate.”
    It was the moment of truth. They could laugh it off or admit to the elderly man they hadn’t exactly been honest with him. After all, they’d never see him again. She was surprised when Garrett turned to her and winked.
    Oh, my God. He’s going to do it.
    A sudden heat engulfed her at the thought. She was about to find out what it would be like to be kissed by Garrett. Her breath caught nervously as she looked at him. Their eyes met and held. He bent toward her. His gaze was too intense, and she closed her eyes. He inched closer and she felt his warm breath. Her skin tingled where he placed his hand on her arm. His lips made contact with her forehead. He had given her a platonic kiss.
    Her eyes shot open. She gazed into his beaming face. Of course, he would do that. Chloe blushed. Had she really thought he meant to kiss her? He released her arm. She exhaled and turned to examine a display of key chains, embarrassed by her reaction.
    Garrett glanced at her before turning to pay the man.
    The locksmith said, “I have a good feeling about you two.” He glanced at the clock. “Time to go. Tonight’s Tuesday, meatloaf night.”
    Garrett and Chloe smiled at the man. Garrett could see Chloe was forcing hers. Damn. He had to fix this. Working and now living with Chloe would be impossible if there was tension between them.
    They followed the locksmith out. Garrett once again helped with the gate. Garrett thanked the man and said good-bye. During the exchange, Chloe remained silent. Together, they watched the old man walk away.
    Garrett rubbed the nape of his neck and let out a breath. “I hope you were okay with what happened. I couldn’t help indulging the man.” He smiled a half smile.
    Plus, he had to admit that he had wanted to. There was something about the look on Chloe’s face in that moment that drew him. At the last second, he’d changed his mind and kissed her on the forehead. He now wondered if he had made a mistake in kissing her at all. “I didn’t mean to