“Eh, whatever. Flowers are flowers, and these are amazing. But, how did he know where you lived? Maybe he’s a stalker.”

They were pretty. “Leigha, he’s our boss. I’m sure he looked at my application. If I keep them he will get the wrong idea. Better to nip this in the ass and say goodbye to the pretty flowers so he knows I’m not interested.”

“Oh, yeah. Forgot about that. But still, you can keep the flowers and still tell him you’re not interested in anything other than being friends.”

“Leigha, I don’t even know the man. Well, he did tell me he was a single parent to his daughter, his wife died a few months ago. Other than that I know nothing. I don’t want to be his friend. He’s my boss.”

Her eyes lit up and she giggled, “Oh, it would be like a dirty, secret office romance.”

“Um, I’m just going to act like I didn’t just hear that.” Shoving the card back into the flowers I said, “I’m going to call your brother and see if he wants to meet me at the beach with Gabe. If you promise to keep your mouth shut you can come.”

Leigha held her hand up to her mouth and pretended she was zipping it shut then throwing the key away. “These lips are sealed.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Taking one last look at the flowers I started to walk away. Today I wouldn’t worry about Gage or his pretty flowers or his sky blue eyes or the way he smelled like walking sex or the way his smile made my stomach flip or how all I could think about was feeling him inside me or the very, very dirty dream I had about him. Nope, no Gage Tucker on my brain. Ha! Who was I kidding?

Stupid men.

I called Jase and we decided to meet at the beach at noon. When we pulled up I saw Jase’s car and Tristan’s truck already there. Inwardly groaning I turned my car off and grabbed my bag from the backseat with towels and sunblock. I didn’t want to be around him today. Gage already had my head in a clusterfuck. I really didn’t need Tristan trying to be my best friend.

“Mommy! Guess what I can do?” Gabe was running out of the ocean as I walked down the beach.

“Wipe your own ass?” I joked. Gabe loved Big Daddy, one of his favorite movies. Yeah, yeah I know what a horrible mom I am for letting him watch movies like that blah blah blah. He either hears it with me or from someone he doesn’t know.

Gabe laughed. “Well yeah mommy. And I still want my name to be Frankenstien but guess what else I can do?”

Bending down, I kissed the top of his head. He was always so happy on the beach. I asked, “What else, buddy?”

“Uncle Jase taught me the first verse of Sweet Home Alabama on the guitar.”

Looking up at Jase he winked. Bringing my attention back to my little boy I asked, “He did? I can’t wait to hear it.”

“Uncle Jase said he will teach me more tonight when you’re at work.”

“That sounds fun baby. I guess you had a lot of fun with Uncle Jase last night?”

Gabe nodded quickly. “Duh mommy. He also told me I can’t show my penis in public.”

“Well, yes he’s right, but why did he tell you that?” I started walking again.

“Tristan was watching some movie and the guy was showing all the girls his penis. And, you know what mommy? That guy had an earring in his penis. It was so gross. I don’t ever want an earring in my penis. The guy in the movie had a big penis, mommy. Why isn’t mine that big?”

My eyes were huge. I was frantically looking around to make sure no one was hearing my five year old repeatedly saying penis or talking about some guy’s penis peircing. Thankfully everyone was ignoring us.

I wanted to laugh but that wouldn’t be right. Instead I dropped to my knees to look Gabe in his eyes. “You don’t pay attention to Tristan, okay. He’s a bad boy. And from now on, lets not say penis in public.”

Wrinkling his nose, Gabe looked back at where the group of guys were sitting. “You don’t like him, huh?”

Why did my child have to be so damn perseptive? No sense in lying. “Nope, buddy, I don’t. He made a very bad mistake a long time ago and mommy can’t forgive him.”

“You tell me all the time if I say sorry you will forgive me. Maybe Tristan just needs to tell you sorry.” Gabe yanked his hands from mine and took off running back to the group. “Tristaaaaan!”

Great. I wanted to avoid him today. Now my son is going to have him trying to talk to me and be friends. I don’t want to be Tristan’s friend. I still wish Tristan would have been the one who died in the wreck, not Derek. I watched as Tristan smiled at my son and listened to every word he said. I may not like him, in fact I hate him, but he does love Gabe. The more Gabe said to Tristan, the more his smile faded. Tristan flashed his eyes to me. Standing, he brushed the sand off his hands and started walking toward me but stopped just a few feet away.

“Didn’t think I would see you until later.”

I froze. That voice. There it was again. I really didn’t want to deal with Gage, even more so than Tristan. This is not my damn day. “Why are you here?” I didn’t bother turning around. There was a small, albeit a teeny tiny part of me that wanted to run into Tristan’s arms and away from Gage. But, I didn’t. I stood frozen in place and watched as Tristan retreated back to our group of friends.

I heard Gage snicker. “It’s a public beach and last I checked, I’m the public.” His voice was getting closer.

“Oh. I thought with all your ball playing that you would be above all us common public folk.”

I couldn’t be sure, but I think he growled. He was right behind me now, his breath brushing my neck. “I’ve told you before, Annie, I don’t play with balls. I’m more than willing to show you.”

I needed to get away from him. He already had my heart racing and my brain mushing. “Didn’t I read something in the employee handbook about fraternizing with the help? Pretty sure if you show me your balls, that would be the definition of fraternize.”

“Not when I’m the boss.”

My gaurdian angels were watching over me. Jase and Ryker were walking in my direction. Thank you, thank you, thank you! When they were close enough Jase pulled me to him, spinning me so I was finally facing Gage. Wrapping his arm low on my waist he asked, “You going to introduce us to your friend?”

Was this man human? I was used to being around attractive guys. Gage made them all look homeless. He was shirtless, of course, why wouldn’t he be. It has already been established that today is not my day so why not kick Annie while she’s down? His black and green swim trunks were low on his hips showing his toned stomach. Letting my eyes slowly travel his body I saw all the tattoos on his arms, chest, and ribs. He looked like a walking story. I wanted to know what his tattoos were about. But, I would never ask.

Finally bringing my eyes to meet Gage’s I answered Jase, “Nope.”

That didn’t matter. Gage held his hand out, “I’m Gage Tucker, nice to meet you.”

Jase and Ryker introduced themselves. Ryker said, “You know, I bet Gabe would love to meet you. If you don’t care.” Snapping my head to Ryker I glared. He ignored me.

Gage smirked. “I would love to meet him. Let me check on my daughter then I will be over.”

“You have got to be kidding me right now, Ryker Duncan. I am trying to avoid this man not invite him into my life.”

Ryker played with his lip ring, almost looking sorry. “It’s not like I invited him to dinner, damn Annie. You know your son would love meeting him.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I pouted like a four year old. “But, I don’t want to!”

Jase and Ryker laughed. Jase said, “Now, now princess. No need to get your panties up your ass. You only have to play nice for a few minutes. If you’re a good girl I will buy you something shiney.”

“Humph. How about a nice shiney baseball bat so I can knock the shit outta you stupid men.” Stepping out of Jase’s hold I stomped to my son. Leigha and Lydia were sitting next to him, helping him build a sand castle.

“I saw owner man talking to you.” Leigha said, her voice a litle too happy for my liking.

“And twat biscuit over there,”- I pointed to Ryker- “invited him to play.” My voice laced with anger.

“Aw now be nice, Ms. Holland. What is that saying? ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.’ I’m sure Ryker was just being friendly to your new male friend.”

“If that’s the saying I might as well have my voice box surgically removed now. Gage Tucker is not my friend. He is my boss. He is a conceited cock jockey.”

Gabe popped his head up. “You have a new friend, mommy?”

I ran my hand through his hair and said, “No, buddy.”

Lydia laughed. “On a first name basis, are we? How interesting. I don’t call my boss by his first name.”

Jase sat down beside Lydia, bumping her with his shoulder and joked, “No, it’s more like ‘Oh God’ or ‘Fuck Yes’.”

Leigha stuck her fingers in her ears and shut her eyes. “Eww eww eww! I don’t want to hear about my brother and his so called assistant like that.”

Leaning over Lydia kissed Jase. “Sorry, Le. Your brother is the best boss I’ve ever had.”

“Damn straight baby.” Jase winked.

“And speaking of best bosses, look who is walking this way. Oh my God! Look at that little girl he’s carrying.”

Taking my eyes off of Gabe I glanced at Gage. He was smiling and looking at his daughter. This Gage looked different from the Gage I had met last night or the Gage that was talking to me earlier. That Gage was rough, sexual. The Gage that was walking toward me looked soft, loving. And damn if my heartstrings weren’t being tugged.

“Hello, ladies,” Gage greeted us.