Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
I’m hoping for the first option because I think raising a child with my best friend would be pretty awesome. It would also be convenient since we are already so entwined in each other’s lives, even working right down the street from each other. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that.
That said, I am willing to settle for the second option if it means getting to have a child of my own to love and care for. I also know Gunnar will be a part of our lives no matter what because he’s my constant, the one person who has been by my side through it all, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. How involved he will be and what role he will play, we will soon find out.
The mechanic shop comes into view, sending a mixture of nerves and excitement dancing in my belly. Nerves because I know this is going to catch him off guard, but also excitement because he will be the first person I share this with. I haven’t even told my closest girlfriends.
It’s been hard to keep this to myself, but I haven’t wanted to say anything until I was sure this was the route I wanted to go. Now that I am, I’m ready to share it with the world, but first … Gunnar.
I enter through the open overhead door only to be greeted by the usual sounds of loud machinery and blaring rock music. The familiar smell of spilled oil and burning rubber penetrates my senses, a scent I will forever associate with Gunnar.
Looking around, I find Mitch, Gavin, and the new apprentice, James, all hard at work, but I see no sign of Gunnar. I do, however, spot Ryland in the far back corner, my heart lighting up at the sight of him working under the hood of a car.
So much for retirement.
As if sensing my presence, he looks my way, a jovial smile smothering his aging yet still very handsome face. If it wasn’t for the soft lines etching his features or the gray mixing with his sandy brown hair, you’d never know he just turned sixty. “Well, look who it is.”
Everyone glances up from their task, greeting me with a smile and a wave. “Hey, Ellie.”
“Hey, guys.”
Ryland gestures me over. “Get your cute butt over here, young lady, and lay one on me.”
Giggling, I walk over, lift to my tiptoes, and plant a loud smooch on his stubbly cheek.
His arm curls around my waist, pulling me in at his side. “How’s my girl doing today?” he asks, warming my heart.
Next to Paw, Ryland Brooks is the best man I’ve ever known. He’s a little rough around the edges, being former military and all, but his kind heart and fierce love for Gunnar overshadows it.
“I’m good. How about you? I see you’re enjoying retirement,” I tease.
He chuckles good-naturedly. “Well, you know what they say, you can take the man from the job, but you can’t take the job from the man.”
Gunnar and I knew he wouldn’t walk away, at least not completely. I think he only announced retirement early because he wanted Gunnar to finally have this place as his own. Something Ryland started just for him.
Woof.
I turn at the old, raspy bark and find the sweetest fur creature in all the land.
“Bear!” I squeal his name, greeting him the same way I always do.
The large English Mastiff wastes no time trotting over to me. I drop to my knees, placing the items in my hands on the floor, and give him all the love and attention he deserves.
“How’s my sweet boy?” I coo, hugging his thick, furry neck and peppering kisses all over his face. “Where’s that warden of yours, huh?”
“He’s right here.”
My head lifts at the deep voice and I find the man I came to see.
Gunnar stands just outside his office door, situated under the stairs that lead up to his apartment. He holds a grease-stained rag in his hands, using it to wipe the oil from them while wearing that signature lopsided grin of his.
His usual work coveralls are dropped low on his waist, revealing a dirty white muscle tank that shows off his fit physique and toned arms. Add in the ball cap that barely confines his thick, dark, messy hair, those honey-brown eyes, and that perfectly sculpted jaw with just the right amount of stubble, and there is no denying my best friend comes from some very good genes.
It’s why every woman in this town fights for his attention, only to never get it, at least not when I’m around. I’m not naive enough to think he never gives in to some of the temptation, but not in the way many hope for.
He has no interest in ever being in a relationship, something I have always been secretly thankful for because it means I never have to share him with anyone else. It’s just one more reason why this arrangement between us would work out great.