took over the reins of LI when he was forty. By my estimation, if he’s healthy he won’t retire for another six years, so you’ve got that long to refocus on what you missed when you weren’t focused on how to run a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate.”
I didn’t deserve his faith in me even when I was happy to have it.
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out to read a message from Gabi.
GW: Total Dallas moment, but I just had the weirdest feeling about you. You okay?
Grinning, I replied.
ME: Just having an existential career crisis. The universe is a tattletale. It was supposed to be on the down low.
GW: Now I’m worried.
ME: Don’t be. Chatting with Jax helped. I’m about to head back to the grind. Everything okay with you?
GW: Yeah. I’ll be glad when this week is over.
The . . . started and disappeared three times before her words finally appeared on-screen.
GW: I miss you.
I looked up and whispered a silent thanks to the sky for bringing this woman into my life.
ME: I miss you like crazy too. Can I come by your place later?
GW: YES.
ME: It might be late-ish.
GW: I don’t care what time. I’ll wait up.
ME: Should I bring anything?
GW: Simply your sweet, sexy, smiling self.
ME: Sweet talker. See you soon.
“Only texting with Gabi puts a smile on your face like that,” my brother commented.
I returned my phone to my pocket and gave him the side-eye. “She makes me happy.”
“Have you talked to her about any of this LI stuff?”
Tempting to say that we didn’t give each other career advice. But that’d be an outright lie, so I hedged. “I’m sure she’d listen if I brought it up. Seems we have other things on our minds when we’re together.”
Jax smirked. “I’ll bet.”
My smile faded and I swallowed hard again.
“What?”
“This is scary shit with her. I just want to be around her all the time. Even when I’m with her I’m thinking about how we can spend more time together. It’s like a damn obsession.” I ran my hand through my hair. “I’m sure I sound like a lunatic.”
“No, you sound like a man in love.”
“Well, I wouldn’t know.”
“You’re telling me that you didn’t feel that way about even one of the women you paraded to family events or social gatherings the past decade?”
I shook my head. “Literally they were the flavor of the moment to me. Now I can barely recall any of their faces, say nothing of their names.”
He whistled. “Not a good feeling, is it?”
“No, regardless if it comes from apathy or booze, the end result is that sinking feeling that you wished you would’ve stopped it sooner.”
“Does Gabi know how you feel about her?” Jax said softly.
“She knows it’s never been like this for me before. She says it’s the same for her.”
“My only advice is if you’re sure you love her, tell her.” He pushed away from my door. “Grab that happiness and make it yours. Don’t wait.”
Halfway to his car, he stopped and turned around. “I’ve learned to be a good listener, Nolan. Anytime you need to talk, day or night, I’m here for you. Always.”
“Thanks, Jax.”
* * *
* * *
I returned to the office after my suit fitting. Thankful for busywork, I hadn’t looked at the clock until Sam threw in the towel at eight P.M. Normally, I’d hoof it to the gym, regardless of how exhausted I might be. But tonight . . .
Tonight I drove straight to Gabi’s, with a short stop at a C-store to pick up a couple of pints of ice cream.
I knew she’d finished her last practice at seven thirty, since she’d texted me, but I didn’t let her know I was on my way. I still had a gate pass to access Snow Village from when Jax lived here, so the guard waved me in.
After exiting my car, I realized in my haste to leave the office I hadn’t put on my topcoat, but thankfully the weather had warmed up enough that I didn’t need it. Too anxious to wait for the elevator, I took the stairs to the third floor. I couldn’t keep the grin off my face when I knocked on her door.
The door swung open.
Gabi’s gaze moved over me from head to toe and back again. “What the hell are you wearing?”
Frowning, I glanced down at my three-piece custom suit in a patternless gray-black wool. The trousers were slim cut. The vest had an unusual, low oval cut, curved