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yet every time I think about asking her out, I break out in a cold sweat like a teenager.”
    I loved that he was being so honest with me, and it was nice to know a mature, confident, successful, intelligent man could be as insecure as a confused, separated mom living on a budget.
    “You should definitely ask her out,” I said, feeling certain my friend would say yes. “You’re her type, for sure.”
    “I don’t know,” he said, sighing. “If she didn’t work for me and I didn’t have to worry about seeing her every day if things don’t work out—”
    “But what if they do work out?” I argued. “You could have a life partner who is as passionate about your business as you are. How cool would that be?”
    “Pretty cool,” he admitted. “Okay, I’ll ask Liz out if you ask Gabe out. Is it a deal?”
    I thought about his reaction to my last casual invite. “Uh, I don’t think—”
    “Come on, you’re all about taking chances, aren’t you? Or you can’t take your own advice?”
    I knew he was just goading me, but he had a valid point. How could I tell him to take a chance on Lizzie if I wasn’t willing to put myself out there for Gabe? “Fine,” I said, extending my hand across the table for him to shake. “It’s a deal. You ask Liz out and I’ll ask Gabe out.”
     

 

Chapter Four
    Gabe
     
    I was washing my truck in the driveway the morning after Kendra’s date when she stepped outside holding her daughter’s hand. She looked so damned beautiful in cut-off jeans shorts and a black tank top, revealing just enough bronzed skin to make my mouth water. I was glad I had my sunglasses on to hide my reaction.
    “Hey, Poncho,” Char said, barreling down her steps and crossing our yards so she could greet my puppy who was doing a little dance, trying to get off the leash that prevented him from chasing cars down the street.
    “You guys are up bright and early,” I said, checking my watch. “Where are you off to?”
    “Mommy’s taking me to the zoo!” Char reported, giggling when Poncho licked her face. “Wanna come, Gabe?”
    After locking her door, Kendra crossed her lawn to mine, just in time to hear her daughter’s invitation. “You’re more than welcome to join us,” she said, before I could respond. “We’ll even wait for you to put a shirt on.”
    I was suddenly painfully aware of the fact I was wearing only board shorts. After I’d washed my truck, I intended to give the dog a bath and that usually resulted in me getting one too, so I hadn’t bothered with the T-shirt hanging over the railing.
    “Uh, if you wouldn’t mind passing that to me,” I said, gesturing to the shirt as I set the soapy sponge back in the bucket.
    Kendra grabbed the shirt, holding it against her chest. Turning her back to her daughter, her voice low, she asked, “You sure you wanna put it on? I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t.” She pushed her oversized sunglasses up on her head and just like that all the blood in my head rushed south as her eyes scanned my chest.
    I smirked as I took the T-shirt from her, reminding myself there was an impressionable child just a few feet away. “Careful now,” I warned, my voice as low as hers had been. “Flirting with me like that could get you into trouble.”
    She took a step closer, on the verge of crowding my personal space. “Maybe I want to get into a little trouble with you. Isn’t that what I’ve been trying to tell you for the last year?”
    Something was different about her today. Before her flirtations had been shy and innocent, almost teasing. Today she’d clearly decided to leave no room for doubt.
    “How was your date last night?” At my questioning look, I explained, “I was taking Poncho out as you were leaving. Couldn’t help but notice.”
    “Mike is a nice guy,” she said, shrugging.
    “So I’ve heard,” I muttered, even less impressed than I’d been when my brothers tried to sell me on him.
    “Yeah, he mentioned that he knows