Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
The thought has me grabbing my things from the floor and climbing to my feet. “Hey!” I finally greet him.
“Hey, yourself,” he returns, that lazy smirk still in place.
“Got time for lunch?” I lift the take-out bags in my hands, swaying them enticingly. “I brought your favorite.”
“I have time,” Mitch cuts in, prompting snickers from the others.
Gunnar shoots him a hard look before returning his gaze to mine. “I always have time for you, Elle, you know that.”
My heart warms at his response. It’s why, after all these years, he’s still my very best friend.
He nods toward his office. “Come on, we’ll eat in here.”
Before heading that way, I place one of the take-out bags down on the front counter and turn to the others. “This one’s for you guys.”
Cheers erupt through the garage as Mitch, Gavin, and James all make a mad dash for the food.
I jump out of the way before I get trampled, laughing as they fight over the bag.
“Y’all are a bunch of damn savages,” Ryland scolds. “What do you say to the girl?”
“Thanks, Ellie,” Gavin and James say in unison, both struggling to open their respective containers.
“Yeah, thanks, Ellie,” Mitch adds, his mouth already full of food. “You’re the best.”
I acknowledge their gratitude with a smile and wave, then make my way over to Gunnar, who waits for me outside his office, looking less than impressed by the scene behind me.
He allows Bear and me to enter first before following us in.
“I don’t know why you brought them food too,” he grumbles, annoyed. “They have their own damn lunch.”
“I know, but I didn’t want to leave anyone out,” I reply with a shrug. “I even brought something for my sweet Bear,” my voice softens into a coo as I glance down at the dog by my feet.
He acknowledges his name with a sharp bark.
Chuckling, I place the food and flower arrangement down on the desk and reach inside the white take-out bag, pulling out the brown-wrapped package I picked up from the butcher this morning.
The sight of it sends Bear into a frenzy. He barks several more times and dances around in excitement, already knowing what’s inside.
I hurry to unwrap the meaty smoked bone and then place it into his drooling mouth. “Here ya go, boy. Bon appetite.”
He prances over to his navy blue dog bed in the corner and begins chowing down.
Gunnar shakes his head at me.
“What?” I ask, feigning ignorance.
“You spoil the shit out of him, that’s what.”
“And you don’t?” I return, arching a brow.
He grunts, knowing he can’t deny it.
“Oh, don’t be such a grump. I have something for you too.” Grabbing the potted greenery off his desk, I hand it over with a smile. “A new creation just for you.”
He accepts the arrangement from me, inspecting it with a critical look. “There’s no pink,” he says, his brows furrowing. “You always use pink.”
“And you always say it’s ‘girly’,” I remind him. “So, I made it less girly this time.”
“They’re flowers, for christ’s sake. They’re supposed to be girly.”
I peer back at him, confused. “So, what are you saying? You want me to use pink?”
“I’m saying, use whatever the hell you want, and don’t give a shit about what I think.”
My hands lift in frustration. “It’s for you. Of course I care what you think.”
He says nothing in response to that, his hard gaze remaining in place.
“You’re welcome, Gunnar,” I mock in a deep voice.
“Thank you, Ellie,” he mocks right back, flashing me a grin.
“You’re such an ass.” I laugh.
Chuckling, he pulls me in for a hug, not the least bit concerned about getting oil and grease all over me. Probably because he knows I don’t care either.
“Thank you,” he says with more sincerity. “You know I appreciate you and your flowers.”
“As you should,” I murmur, but hug him back, savoring his warmth.
Gunnar’s arms are my favorite place to be, they can ease the pain and heal any wound. I spent a lot of time in them after Paw passed away.
He drops a kiss on the top of my head before breaking contact. “Come on, let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
Nodding, I begin unpacking the take-out containers while he grabs us each a Coke from the bar fridge.
Afterward, he pulls his chair up next to mine, choosing to sit beside me rather than across from me.
“You got someone watching the shop for you?” he asks, popping the top off our sodas.
I shake my head. “I just flipped the sign to ‘back in an hour.’ I’ve got a few deliveries this afternoon, but it should be quiet otherwise. Mondays usually are.”
Something I appreciate since weekends are always so busy, especially during wedding season.
The last take-out container I open holds my favorite dish: honey garlic chicken.
My mouth waters at the rich aroma.
Just as I reach for the chopsticks next to me, ready to dig in, Gunnar swoops in out of nowhere and snatches the container right out of my hands.