Gabe glanced back at the arch, which he’d just finished. Well, he’d finished the framing and the structure. He’d texted Chelsea to come by later to do the actual decorating because that was not part of his skill set.
“You guys are really going above and beyond,” Brandee exclaimed, getting misty-eyed as she came to stand beside him. Her eyes fixed on the arch before her.
Gabe wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a friendly hug. “It’s no trouble at all. I’m just glad you’ve made my best friend so happy.”
Disgustingly happy. These two were absolutely perfect for each other. Gabe hadn’t believed people could be so in love; he hadn’t actually believed in that emotion at all, but if it existed, Brandee and Shane were wrapped up tight with it.
“Where’s Chelsea?” Brandee asked, easing back.
It had been three days since he’d seen her and he was getting rather twitchy—not something he wanted to explain to her best friend. He could barely explain his feelings to himself. He wanted Chelsea, but the fierce need that continued to grow inside him was something new. He’d wanted women before, but not like this. The strength she displayed, her loyalty to her friends and her intelligence were all huge turn-ons. There was nothing about her he didn’t find mesmerizing.
Originally he’d wondered if it was because he felt sorry for her because of Dusty’s actions. But Gabe had quickly discovered that he didn’t feel sorry for Chelsea. He admired her. She had a strength he couldn’t help but find attractive. She had a take-charge attitude and then, on top of that, with her sexy-as-hell looks, he couldn’t help but be drawn.
“I’m sure she’s working,” he replied. “I told her this would be ready to go today for the flowers or whatever it is you want to decorate it with. I just needed to get the base sturdy enough.”
Brandee stepped forward and ran her hand over the oak grain. “This is far more than I’d envisioned and it’s not even done. I can’t wait for my wedding day.”
Gabe hooked his thumbs through his belt loops and rocked back on his heels. “I’m sure Chelsea will be by soon. I texted her earlier.”
Brandee tossed him a grin and raised her brows. “You two taking shifts on the wedding preparations? Is that because of the whole dressing room issue?”
On the one hand, he wasn’t surprised at all that she’d brought up the incident. On the other hand, he was sure as hell glad she didn’t know about their session at the Texas Cattleman’s Club. Gabe wanted to keep the stolen moments with Chelsea to himself. They were private and, until he could figure out what the hell they were doing, he wanted to keep things that way.
“I doubt it,” he answered with a slight laugh. “She doesn’t seem like the type to run over something like that. But I think this attraction has her being extra cautious.”
“Attraction?” Brandee said, her brows shooting up and a smile spreading across her face. “Well, she needs something to keep her mind off the bad press caused by those photos. I think it’s great you two are working together.”
Oh, he did, too. Because when he and Chelsea were together, he couldn’t keep his hands to himself and, for the most part, Chelsea wasn’t complaining, at least until she started letting her mind take over.
Damn it. He wanted the hell out of her and she still wanted to keep him at a distance. Someone was going to lose this fight...and
he’d never lost yet.
“She’s still unsure about trusting me,” Gabe went on. “She’s learning, but given my last name and all, her hesitancy is more than justified.”
“You were cleared of any wrongdoing,” Brandee said. “Besides, anyone who knows you would never believe for a second you had anything to do with releasing those photos. Shane and I couldn’t believe when your name was even mentioned.”
“I appreciate that. I would never do something so vile,” he declared. “I’m just as disgusted by my uncle’s actions as anyone. He’s gone and now I’m the one carrying his family name and trying to keep my reputation as far removed from his as possible.”
“You’re a victim, too,” she stated.
Yeah. He was. If only Chelsea could see things from that angle. But he wasn’t one to play the pity card. He didn’t want her pity—he wanted her in his bed.
“I’m glad you’re here, actually.” He was happy to change the subject, he legitimately had something he needed to tell her. “Your wedding present will be arriving tomorrow. It isn’t exactly something I could’ve brought to the reception.”
Brandee tipped her head and smiled. “You know you didn’t have to get us anything. You and Chels are doing so much already. The load you have lifted from Shane and me is immeasurable.”
Gabe shrugged. “Trust me when I say you will want this.”
Besides, his uncle had caused so many problems for Brandee and Shane months ago. Their relationship almost hadn’t made it at all, let alone to the altar. Gabe was all too happy to give them this extravagant present. They were his friends and Brandee had such a huge heart, giving back so much to the community.
Brandee ran a camp for teens in need. She used her time and her own funding to keep the place on her ranch open for impressionable teens, and it was time she didn’t have to carry so much of the load on her own.
“What’s that smile for?” she asked.
“Just anxious for a little surprise I have planned,” he replied. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to. Chelsea may be here later.”
As he started to head out of the barn, Brandee called out to him, “She’s more vulnerable than you think.”