Gauge by Mandy Harbin

Author:Mandy Harbin [Harbin, Mandy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mandolin Park Publishing

Chapter Twelve

Viola was going to have to go on a serious diet when she returned home after this assignment. She was never one to have to watch what she ate, but she knew downing a bunch of freshly-baked, decadent sweets would do some damage. After showing Roxie and Xan how she made her cinnamon rolls and the secret to how she kept them gooey—pouring warmed heavy whipping cream over the rolls before baking—they’d baked brownies and lemon bars last night. She’d taken most of what was left over to the garage today. Thankfully, those guys tore into the snacks, not even leaving any crumbs. Now, as she stood in the kitchen after having cleaned up dishes from dinner, she couldn’t stop eyeballing the few brownies she’d left on the counter.

Screw it. She got out two bowls, dropped a brownie in each and popped them into the microwave just to warm them up slightly. If she was going to be bad, she was taking Gauge down with her.

As she got the ice cream out, she couldn’t take her thoughts away from the man sitting in the living room. Sometime between the baking lesson last night and tacos at lunch, something had happened. She didn’t know what, but Gauge’s demeanor had changed. He didn’t seem to be as on edge around her. When he’d gone to bed last night, he’d taken his one pain pill without an argument, and when she’d gotten up this morning, he’d already been in the kitchen, brewing coffee. It’d smelled so good, she’d gone in there before getting into the shower, not caring her hair was all messy and her mismatched PJs had a hole in the shorts. Gauge had even had a cup ready for her.

When they were ready to break for lunch, he’d brought her a soda from the vending machine. Afterward, he’d gathered her trash. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he was taking care of her and not the other way around. By the time they’d returned to his house that evening, she realized it was probably his way of showing his appreciation for her helping him.

Not that he needed to worry about that. Being near him had helped her in other ways she hadn’t anticipated.

When the microwaved dinged, he called out, “I know we just had dinner, but whatever you’re making in there, I want some of it.”

She laughed. “Good, because you’re totally my excuse for indulging.”

Viola scooped heaping amounts of ice cream onto the warm brownies, drizzled them with extra chocolate, and sprinkled some leftover toasted pecans on top.

“Hope you have room for sugar,” she said as she walked into the living room.

He groaned and held out his hand for the bowl. “My weakness.”

“What’s that? Ice cream, chocolate, or just sugar?” she teased. She knew he was a total sugar junkie.

“Yes.” He took a big mouthful, his eyes rolling back.

She sat next to him and took a bite. The sweetness of the chocolate combined with the saltiness of the nuts exploded on her tongue, and she moaned with her own appreciation.

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