Restored

If I own half of the company, that means I get a say, right? If he does try and fire Roxy I could put my foot down. But I think he’s only pissed right this second and he’ll get over it. He’s a dick and I’ll tell him that if he does try and come over here and start crap with her. Not that Roxy would care. She’ll go head to head with anyone.

“Here.” I look back to Roxy and she’s handing me a plate with a giant burger on it. I take the plate and follow her over to an empty table.

“So,” Roxy says before taking a giant bite of her burger. “Maybe we should try you with a clean-cut man.”

Her mouth is full of hamburger as she says it and I have to decipher the words as Mitch comes to sit down next to her. A few others join our table but I don’t dare look around to see where Bronx is. I’m not going to chase him around like a lost puppy. He knows I had a thing for him and I wasn’t exactly good at hiding it when I was younger. I was always watching him because I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t know it was kind of pathetic but now that I’m older I see it and I won’t go after him. In fact, I’m going to keep my distance and pretend he isn’t here at all.

“A suit?” Mitch laughs from next to her before wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close.

Roxy shrugs. “Or Joey. He’s not bad on the eyes and he’s nice.”

“Roxy,” Mitch warns her. I fight a smile at his jealousy as she turns her head and kisses him quickly.

“I like Joey. He’s a good guy,” Mitch finally agrees.

Joey’s sweet but he’s a little bit a of ladies’ man and he’s never made a move on me. I don’t think he’s into me just as I’m not into him either. He likes the car show girls I’ve seen come and go around here.

“I’d rather him not die,” Mitch says, and I stop mid-bite of my burger.

“Die?” I look at Mitch, wondering what the hell he’s talking about.

“The rules.” Mitch shrugs as Roxy and I stare at him, having no idea what the hell he’s talking about.

“What rules?” Roxy demands.

“No one’s allowed to date Gemma.” Now he’s looking at us like we’re the crazy ones and we should know this.

“Did my dad make this rule?” I ask.

Mitch pauses and I can tell he’s thinking about what he’s just said since we clearly didn’t know about it. Roxy elbows him in the side.

“No,” he finally answers.

I put my burger down and place my hands on the table. “Who made this rule that no one working around here can date me?” I stare at Mitch as I feel myself getting pissed because I have a good idea who made this rule.

“Not just at the shop.” Mitch closes his eyes as if he can’t believe he’s given me more information than needed.

“You’re the worst with your mouth,” Roxy hisses.

“You didn’t think that this morning.” Mitch smirks at her and she elbows him again as her cheeks turn pink.

“Spit it out,” I say before the two of them get off track. He’ll end up on top of her in the middle of the cookout if I don’t intervene.

“No one is allowed to date you, Gemma. It’s Bronx’s rule and it applies to everywhere around town.”

My mouth falls open. What the hell? Who does he think he is? Is this something he’s trying to do for my dad and fill the role as the protective father figure? Either way it’s bullshit and I don’t have to sit around and take it. I stand up from the table and look at Roxy.

“Text me later. I’ve got a date to get to.”

Okay, maybe I don’t have a date, but I’m leaving. Only now I’m determined to get someone. Not only am I going to get over Bronx, but I’m going to show him I’ll do anything with anyone I damn well please.

Chapter Four

Bronx

By the time I’m calmed down enough to apologize to Gemma I realize she’s gone.

“Where did she go?” I scan the room again just to be sure and I hear the hesitation in Mitch’s voice. “Tell me.”

I glare at him for all of two seconds before he folds.

“She was upset. She wanted to know why no one would ask her out and it sort of slipped that you’ve got your rule about—”

“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair as frustration takes hold. “Did she go home?”

“Um, about that.” Mitch takes a big step back and suddenly my hackles are rising.

“Spill it.” I clench my fists at my side as I prepare for the worst.

“She said she had a date and took off, that’s as far as I got.” The last few words are rushed out as he holds his hands up and backs away even farther. Mitch is smart because I feel like hitting something right now.