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Six
After a client meeting, Gavin was walking along one of the main drags downtown when he spotted two women he knew very well. One of them had red hair that appeared fiery in the autumn sunshine.
“Well, if it isn’t none other than Presley Cole.”
Gavin had known Pres for years—prior to her engagement to his brother. He found her fun and refreshing—the perfect foil for Cash, who had been far too self-sacrificial before she reentered his life.
The woman walking with her fluttered her eyelashes, a demure smile on her face.
“It’s Hallie, right?” he teased, pleased when one corner of her mouth lifted.
“Very funny.” Hallie rolled her eyes.
“I thought so.” He was looking forward to being around her a lot more than usual given their recently solidified “rule breaking” deal.
“What brings you to our neck of the woods, Gavin?” Presley, a to-go cup of coffee in hand, asked.
“I was visiting a client, and, hate to break it to you, but this is not your neck of the woods, Tallahassee. You only recently moved here.”
“I’m nearly a Sutherland.” She wiggled her fingers at him, showing off her engagement ring.
“What are you two up to?” he asked. Hallie seemed shier than yesterday. He was looking forward to having her to himself again, and as soon as possible.
“We were just wrapping up,” Presley chirped. “I promised Cash I would meet him.” She looked at Hallie, whose eyes widened slightly. “I totally forgot to tell you. Darn. I’m sure Gavin would give you a ride home.”
He slanted a glance at Presley, who wobbled her head in an enthusiastic nod. He saw what was going on here.
“Ah, no problem. I have to run an errand, so you’d have to come with.” He tilted his head at Hallie, who seemed thoroughly inconvenienced and maybe a little pissed off. It was a good look on her. It sparked the gold in her eyes and flushed her cheeks.
“I didn’t realize I was such a burden,” she told Presley. Yep, pissed off.
“Definitely not a burden,” he assured her. “Since you agreed to help me with my interior designer, maybe you could help me out with where I’m going today, too.” He nodded at his Ford truck, parked across the street. “I’m trading her in today. The lease is up, and I could use a second opinion. If you don’t mind, of course.”
“Yes, Hallie mentioned your agreement.” Presley glanced at her friend meaningfully. “This is an opportunity for spontaneity.”
Hallie pursed her lips.
“Have fun!” Pres scooped Hallie into a quick hug, slapped Gavin on the arm and jogged to her car as fast as her high-heeled sandals would carry her.
Hallie crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t have to take me with you. I can call a car.”
“Why would you do that when I have a perfectly good truck?”
“That you’re about to trade in.”
He shrugged. “Life is for living, Hals.”
Her eyes sparked again, but this time it wasn’t caused by anger or nerves. If he wasn’t mistaken, she liked the nickname. He’d never heard anyone call her anything other than Hallie. He’d consider her first rule well and truly broken.
At the dealership, Gavin waved to his friend Chad, who was racing across the showroom floor to meet him. Chad liked Gavin, probably because the youngest Sutherland had a bad habit of trading in his cars on a regular basis. Or a good habit, depending on which one of them you asked.
“Mr. Sutherland. I have the perfect truck picked out for you. And a couple of other contenders, as well. I know how you like options.”
Gavin stuck his hands in his pockets. “Actually, I want to look at something sporty today. Fast. Fun. In sleek silver or cherry red. I wouldn’t be opposed to royal blue, though it’s not my first choice.”
“No problem.” Chad smiled over at Hallie and, being the good guy he was, offered his hand. “Chad King. And I know who you are. Hannah Banks. Legendary superstar.”
Well, crap. No good deed went unpunished.
