Page 120 of Let Me Keep You

“You’re working too much,” she says. “I feel like I never see you these days. We spoke more when you were in prison than we do now.”

I roll my eyes when she laughs, then chug half the bottle. “Not true. I have this thing called a cell phone now, and you can call and text at any time.”

“Oh, shoot. I totally forgot about that.”

“And you wonder why you’re single with that smartass mouth.”

“Maybe it’s because all the guys in town are taken?”

“They can’t all be.”

“Oh, you’re right. Some live in their parents’ basements and play video games from sunup to sundown.”

“Come to the gym with me tomorrow. Plenty of men there.”

“Hard pass. I’m not getting up a minute earlier than I have to. Not to mention, gym rats care more about their muscles than women.”

“Whatcha trying to say?” I lift my sleeve and flex.

She snorts and playfully pushes my chest when she walks around me. “Good night, Arnold Schwarzenegger.”

I take a sleeping pill so I can fall asleep. By the time my alarm goes off, I’m ready to blow off some steam. Once I’m finished working out, I shower and feel a lot better. It’s exactly what I needed before heading to the shop. When I walk in, I see Gemma’s pretty face behind the counter.

With bright eyes, she smiles at me with dark-colored lips. She’s acting as though she has no worries in the world, almost as if she hasn’t been crying for the past few days.

“Morning,” I say, lowering my eyes to her orange shirt and smirking. “Getting ready for Halloween early?”

She frowns. “No. It’s my favorite⁠—”

“Color. Yeah, I remember.”

Gemma grins. “Of course, you do.”

I step closer. “It looks good on you.”

“Thanks.” Gemma stares into my eyes as I study how green hers are, neither of us speaking.

“Did you sleep okay last night?”

“As good as expected, I guess. You?”

“I took some meds so I could, then got up early this morning to hit the gym.”

“You like working out there?”

“I do. My offer still stands to teach you some self-defense moves if you wanna learn a few techniques.”

Gemma raises her brows. “You think I should?”

“Wouldn’t hurt.”

It’d also mean I’d get to spend more time with her.

“Maybe. I’ll think about it.”

I nod, then pour a cup of coffee. “Alright. Well, if you decide you wanna, come in around seven.”

Once I enter the garage, I glance over my shoulder and catch Gemma watching me. I shoot her a smirk, and I swear she blushes before turning away. Something’s happening between us, but I’m not complaining. Even though her life is a little messy right now, I want to be there for her. After our conversation last night, I won’t be letting her go ever again.