He realizes what just happened and looks at me like a scared boy once again. “Sorry.I—”
“It’s okay. We’ll get there again. And I understand. You protect Ev like I protect Rune. I forgive you, Gage.”
He takes a breath and closes his eyes. It’s as if I can physically see the weight lifting off his shoulders. “Thank fuck. Now can you convince your stubborn, thickheaded boyfriend that I only meant well, ’cause he won’t talk to me.”
I smile at him. “I’ll do my best.”
Cole comes up to us, clearly unable to hold herself back any longer.
“Who are you?” Her arms are crossed over her chest, one hip cocked and her chin held high.
“Cole, this is Gage. Gage, this is Cole. My best friend.”
“Her sister,” she corrects me. “And I don’t like you.”
I open my mouth to respond, but Gage just smirks and slowly turns his head to look at Cole. Oh fuck. I know that look. He’s about to eat her alive.
“The feeling is mutual.” He looks her up and down with pure malice on his face. “Colette Corvina.”
“How do you know my—”
“I’ll take an Americano, extra hot.” He pulls out his phone and begins tapping away.
She puts her hands on her hips. “I’m not your fucking bar wench, you fucking ass!”
He looks at her now with a devilish smirk. “But aren’t you? This is your establishment, is it not, and I don’t see anyone else around to take my order.” Keeping his eyes on Cole but speaking to me,he says, “Really, Leo, you should re-evaluate your staff. Quite rude, don’t you think?”
I curl my lips in an attempt to keep the smile off my face, but I am really failing. I try to make peace, but these two are like oil and water. “Gage. Be nice.”
Cole has her teeth clenched, and her eyes are narrowed. “Fine, that will be $3.50, and I expect a good tip.”
She holds her hand out, waiting for him to pay.
“The money has already been sent directly to your business account. And here's a tip. I am Leo's best friend and your customer service skills are severely lacking. You should really work on that."
"You are a fucking asshole!" She crosses her arms over her chest and I can practically see the steam radiating off her.
"How original. Why don't you check your account. You'll see that despite your attitude, I paid. Generously, I might add, Colette."
The way he says her name even makes me a little tingly where I shouldn’t be. I could never see Gage that way, but damn.
Cole pulls her phone out, obviously expecting to find nothing, but then her mouth drops open. “How did you get access to this account?”
Gage completely ignores her question. “That Americano? Extra hot. Move along, Chaos.”
She stomps her foot, actually stomps it, and I lose it. The laugh that explodes from my chest has Gage smiling.
“I hate you. LJ, I hate him.” Then she storms off to make his drink.
“Dick,” I mumble to him.
“Punk ass.” His fiery eyes return the sentiment.
“Fucker.”
“Bitch.”
I can’t help it. I fold over in laughter, feeling completely and utterly whole once again.
