Rush

like to see them back together,
     but I want them to be happy, and if he’s going to pull this kind of stunt down the
     road, I’d rather they just quit now and call it good. I don’t want my mom going through
     that all over again.”
    “Yeah, I hear you,” Jace said.
    “So speaking of reconciliation,” Ash said casually. “What the ever-loving fuck was
     Lisa doing in your office?”
    Gabe’s jaw tightened and his teeth ground together. The very last thing he wanted
     was to discuss Lisa, but he also knew his friends were going to be curious. They’d
     been there when Lisa had left him. They’d stood by him when she pulled her crazy-ass
     shit. It was only natural they’d be concerned when she started sniffing around again.
    “Did you kick the crazy bitch out and tell her to fuck off?” Jace asked with a scowl.
    Gabe chuckled, his mood lightening. He could always count on Jace and Ash to shoot
     straight.
    “I made it clear I had absolutely zero interest in rehashing the past.”
    “She wants money,” Jace said darkly. “I made a few calls. She’s already gone through
     most of the settlement, and the alimony payments you fork out every month are barely
     keeping her head above water.”
    Gabe’s eyebrow lifted. “You checked up on her?”
    “Hell yeah. Not going to let her fuck you over like she did last time,” Jace bit out.
     “She’s still living like she’s married to you. Hasn’t downgraded in that department.
     High-maintenance bitch.”
    Gabe grinned. “No worries there, man. I’m not dipping back into those waters.”
    “That’s good to hear,” Ash said, relief evident in his voice.
    Gabe’s eyes narrowed. Had there been any doubt? Then he realized. Jace and Ash
were
worried.
    “I can handle Lisa,” Gabe said easily. “She’s a manipulative, grasping bitch. Lesson
     learned.”
    Jace and Ash nodded their agreement. The waitresses came back with the drinks and
     spent several minutes flirting with Jace and Ash. They left Gabe alone. Maybe they
     sensed he wasn’t in the mood. He had zero interest in these girls when he knew Mia
     was in his bed waiting.
    Drink in hand, Jace turned to Gabe when the waitresses disappeared. “So how are things
     working out with Mia?”
    Gabe was instantly on alert. He’d already had one come-to-Jesus moment with Jace over
     this. He didn’t want it to be a bone of contention between them. Before he could say
     anything, Jace continued.
    “I know I busted your balls about it, and yeah, I probably overreacted. It just caught
     me off guard. I didn’t like Mia working in that damn pastry shop, but I figured she
     just needed time to figureout what she wanted to do. She worked hard in school. She probably just needs a break
     to sort herself out, and I’m not in a hurry for her to do that. She has me. I’ll provide
     anything she needs and I don’t want her to feel pressured.”
    A huge surge of guilt hit Gabe right in the gut. He’d definitely pressured Mia. No
     doubt about that. Not that he regretted it. He’d be a damn liar if he said otherwise.
     But still…
    “She’s working out great, Jace,” Gabe said in a casual tone. “She’s smart and she’s
     motivated. She’s already finding her place. She works her ass off and she has her
     shit together. She wowed investors at the cocktail party she attended with me. Everyone
     at work seems to like her and has responded well to her presence. I’m sure many of
     them figure she got the job because of who she is, but she’s proven she deserves to
     be there.”
    “Well, and who can’t like her?” Ash cut in. “She’s sweet and friendly. Not a mean
     bone in that girl’s body.”
    “If anyone says shit to her I want to know about it,” Jace bit out.
    Gabe held his hand up. “I have this, man. And if you think about it, it’s a hell of
     a lot better for her not to work for you. This way she can prove she deserves the
     job because she’s not working for her big brother. I’m not going to be a hardass with
     her but I’ll expect her to do her job. You’d just coddle her and baby her to death.”
    Ash burst into laughter. “He totally nailed you with that one, man. If she had so
     much as a hangnail, you’d be sending her home.”
    Jace grinned. “Okay, okay, you both have a good point.” Then he grew more serious.
     “I just want what’s best for her. I want her to be happy. She’s all I have.”
    Gabe and Ash both nodded. “I get it,” Gabe said. “In