Wild Forces: A Friends to Lovers Romance (O-Town Book 2) by Karen Renee (summer reads .TXT) 📕

“Well, I won’t hold you up. What is it I’ve heard you say? ‘It’s always important to make a quick, clean getaway.’ Right? Have a nice day, Gabe.”

Have a nice day. I couldn’t believe she dismissed me like that. We were friends. Or had I somehow shit on that too?

Cassie

IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE bacon, I probably would’ve skipped breakfast after seeing Gabe. But, if I took the time to oven-bake the most delicious breakfast food known to man, then I would eat it, stomach turning or not.

Kaylee trudged out of her bedroom as I rinsed my plate in the sink.

She groaned. “God. Did you have to make bacon, today, of all days?”

I put the plate in the dishwasher and closed it up. “Yeah, I did. It’s Saturday and the only day I have time for it. Besides, how can anything bother you today? You’ve been going out of your way to get G-Rock for months. I saw him leave, so you should be on top of the world.”

She shook her head. “He was all right. Not as good as I expected.”

I pressed my lips together in sympathy. Maybe I was wrong, but one-night-stands would never be as good as she expected. Considering how long she had wanted to get under, over, or both, with Gabe, I had no doubt she’d built it up spectacularly in her mind. Which could only end up in a let down since there was no connection outside the physical.

Much like my roommate, I wanted Gabe Sullivan in the worst way, but I hid it.

He and I had been friends for the past two-and-a-half years. Our friendship – as warped as it was sometimes – meant too much to me to jeopardize it.

Not to mention, he would never go for a girl like me. First, I didn’t resemble most of his one-night conquests, and second, he shied away from connecting with women on any level other than the physical. Since I was the only woman he was friends with, I figured it made me off-limits physically.

I moved toward my bedroom, ready to shower.

Kaylee asked, “You headed to campus?”

I looked over my shoulder and nodded. “Yep. Gotta finish my presentation for Operations Management. Then I’m headed to the shelter. I’ll be back around dinner. You gonna be here all day?”

She groaned again. “I don’t know. Probably not. Thinking I’ll go to Stacey’s tonight. But, do not watch the rest of Shameless without me.”

I sighed. “Fine. But you keep staying out every night, I’m gonna move on without you, chickie.”

“Whatevs. Watch the rest of Outlander. I have no desire to time-travel.”

I shook my head. If she’d read the books she’d bloody well understand.

AFTER FINISHING UP my project, I spent a few hours volunteering at Whiskers and Wags, a nearby animal shelter. On my way home, I dropped by Moe’s and picked up a burrito to go. As I went up the stairs to my apartment, Gabe scaled the steps two at a time to catch up with me.

“Cassie!”

I stopped and turned to him.

“Hey, Gabe.”

His eyes held mine for a long moment. “Are you mad at me?”

I smiled “I ought to be. But, I know I don’t have reason to be. You didn’t know what apartment I lived in, and that was by design.”

Mainly it was his design, but nevertheless, we both knew he had a reputation. I had a female roommate, and Gabe didn’t want to meet her. So, I knew I couldn’t be mad at him. Besides, if I were upset, it could create a chasm between us. I definitely didn’t want that.

I chuckled. “And to be honest, I’m stunned Kaylee wasn’t successful sooner with you. Um, I’m sorry for being bitchy with you this morning. I was hungry and caught off-guard. We’ve been friends quite a while, so, the first time I see you in my living room is only because of Kaylee, it took me by surprise.”

He jerked his head toward the Moe’s bag. “That dinner?”

I nodded. “You working another club tonight?”

He nodded. “Glad we’re cool. I won’t keep you from your food. Have a good night, ’kay?”

“Sure. You too, Gabe.”

Inside my apartment, I locked the door, opened up my food and sighed. “That man. He can be so damned obtuse.”

Or maybe I was obtuse.

While I crunched on a tortilla chip loaded with salsa verde, my cell rang. The display showed my dad’s picture. I smiled.

“Hey, Dad. How goes things?” I answered.

He grunted his humor. “Oh, they go, sweetie. They go. How goes things with you?”

“They’re going,” I said.

“What’s wrong?”

I sighed. “What do you mean, ‘what’s wrong?’ Nothing’s wrong.”

“Know the Orlando symphony let you play Prokofeiv’s ‘Montagues and Capulets,’ with them, sweetie, but I hope in all your schooling you’ve acquainted yourself with Hamlet, because by George, you protest too much.”

I chuckled. “I don’t protest. It’s just been an off day. Sort of. I don’t know. But, I finished up that Operational Management project I told you about.”

“Good. And nice try to change the subject. Should I get your mother? Your avoidance sounds like you have a boy problem.”

“No,” I snapped. Then I got my act together. “Sorry, but no. I wouldn’t want to bother mother. It isn’t a man problem. I’m just worried about my roommate.”

Dad sighed. “You know worrying is useless. Unless she asks for help, there won’t be much you can do.”

I nodded. “You’re right. So, was there any reason you called, or just to shoot the breeze?”

I heard him inhale. “There is a reason. I have an employee I don’t trust. Normally, I wouldn’t involve you in things like this.”

“I don’t know why, Dad. I already have a business degree, so, you never know, I might be able to be a sounding board if nothing else.”

He chuckled. “Yes. You’re very close to having your MBA, and we haven’t talked about what you plan to do after you’re done, but that’s neither here nor there right now. If you’re willing, I’d like you to apply for an