Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Gabe went for a six-mile run on Sunday morning, needing to burn off the conflicting emotions that had kept him up all night and hopefully get the image of Madison Baldwin out of his mind. He couldn't believe the beautiful blonde from the bar, the one who kissed like a dream, had turned out to be his worst enemy. He also couldn't believe she'd had the nerve to tell him to move his line away from her door when her restaurant was closed, and she barely had any customers anyway.

He'd been watching her restaurant ever since it opened, still feeling burned that Larry Shaw had given the space to his friend's daughter. When he'd talked to Madison's executive chef last week about his permit, the guy had been a pretentious asshole. And Madison had given off the same air of entitlement when she'd given his food truck a look of disgust and asked him to move his line.

He'd worked hard to get that line. What had she done? Used her father to get her own restaurant. Maybe she was a good chef; he had no idea. None of his friends had gone to the restaurant, mostly because he'd talked shit about the fact that he should have gotten that job instead of her, so he had no idea whether her food was good or not.

What he did know was that the restaurant was struggling, and that gave him some satisfaction. He'd wanted Larry Shaw to see he could bring a crowd, and he'd done that, which was why Madison wanted him to move his line away from her door so his success would be less obvious.

He wouldn't do that. He'd moved his truck from the parking lot at Maverick's for the explicit reason of proving he could take his customers anywhere, and he would continue to sell from that location until La Marée failed.

Frowning, he felt guilty about wanting any restaurant to fail. And it wasn't like Shaw was going to suddenly wake up and hand him the keys to La Marée and tell him to do whatever he wanted with it. Clearly, Shaw had wanted a fine-dining restaurant in that location, and he was not that kind of chef.

Putting aside his reasons for moving his truck down the street from La Marée, his new location was actually better for him than the Maverick's parking lot. He didn't have to compete with their burgers and fish and chips.

La Marée didn't take his customers away because his customers would probably never eat there. The truth was that he was no competition for Madison, and she was no competition for him. He might have told her that last night if she hadn't started immediately attacking him.

He couldn't believe she was the same woman he'd danced with at Maverick's. That woman had a vulnerability behind her drinking bravado. That woman had been friendly and fun.

But he'd seen none of that friendly fun or vulnerability last night.

He slowed his pace down to a walk as he headed into the courtyard of the Ocean Shores apartment building where he lived. It was almost eleven now and a very warm June day, so there were already sunbathers at the pool, including Kaia Mercer, an attractive redhead who worked as a paramedic, and her brother, Ben, who had dark hair and eyes and had recently transferred to the Oceanside Police Department and moved in a few doors down from his sister. Ben had once been in a band, and he often seemed to be with his guitar, which he was now strumming softly while Kaia spoke to Emmalyn McGuire, a pretty and fair blonde, who was floating on a blow-up unicorn in the pool.

"Hey, Gabe," Kaia said as he walked toward them. "You look sweaty."

"Just finished a run," he said, thinking the pool looked inviting.

"I hit up your food truck last night," Ben said as he stopped playing. "I didn't see you there, but I had a burrito supreme, and it was very good. Kaia has been raving about your food for a while, and for once in her life, she was right."

"I've been right lots of times," Kaia told her brother.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the burrito," he said. "How's the new job going?"

"Still feeling my way," Ben replied. "I like who I'm working with, and it's a nice change to be stationed by the beach instead of downtown Los Angeles."

"You'll never want to leave."

"That's what Kaia keeps telling me," Ben said with a laugh. "By the way, I hear you're in a softball league with Max."

"I am. The season just finished, but there's a summer league starting in July. You interested in playing?"

"Absolutely. I used to pitch when I was in high school."

"We can always use a pitcher. I'll let you know when sign-ups open." He turned to give Emmalyn a smile. "Where did you get the unicorn?"

"Ava gave it to me. One of Liam's distributors dropped off a bunch of blow-up floaties for the Beach Shack, and she thought we could use some here. Are you coming in for a swim?"

"Maybe later."

"Well, I'm planning to be here all day," Emmalyn said. "School is out for the summer, and I am so ready for it."

He laughed. Emmalyn was a kindergarten teacher, and he could only imagine how much she needed a break. "I bet you're more excited than your students."

"That's probably true, but it won't be a summer-long break; I'm teaching summer school, and that starts in two weeks. Until then, this is where you'll find me." She paused. "How's Max doing with his rewrites? I've seen your living room lights on late at night."

"He's been working a lot. He has to turn something in early next week."

"I really hope his movie gets made. He deserves it."

"I agree." He paused as he saw two women walking down the stairs toward the courtyard, and one of them was Madison. He was shocked. Why was she here? Why was she with Lexie? If she knew Lexie, why hadn't she known he owned the food truck that was driving her crazy? Nothing was adding up.

He heard Lexie tell Madison she wanted to introduce her to some of her friends, and then they were heading in their direction. As they drew near, Madison's step faltered as her gaze connected with his. She looked as shocked as he felt.

"Hi, everyone. We have a new tenant," Lexie said. "This is Madison Baldwin. She's going to be renting 16B."

No way! She was renting the apartment right around the corner from him?

Lexie introduced Madison to Kaia, Ben, and Emmalyn, leaving him for last. While the others had all given her a warm greeting and welcome to the building, he could find absolutely no words, and neither could Madison. Finally, he said, "We've met."

"Yes," Madison said shortly.

"You're moving in here?"

"I am," Madison replied. "I didn't know you lived here."

"Maybe you should change your mind then."

"Why would she do that?" Lexie asked in surprise. "What's going on?"

"Gabe doesn't like me because I'm running the restaurant he wanted to run," Madison said evenly.

"And Madison doesn't like me because my food truck line is so long, it's blocking the entrance to her restaurant," he returned, his gaze meeting hers.

"At least you admit it," Madison said. "Even if you refuse to do anything about it."

As anger sizzled between them, mixed with other emotions he didn't want to identify, he noticed the hushed interest in the group by the pool. He cleared his throat. "Well, welcome to the building."

"I'm sure you don't mean that, but whatever," she said.

"Whatever," he echoed, walking past her. He took the stairs two at a time, his pulse racing way too fast. He could not believe Madison was moving in here. Ocean Shores was his home, his haven, a space where he always felt good. Maybe she would change her mind now that she knew he was here. He'd seen the disdain in her eyes when she'd looked at his food truck. She thought she was above him.

As he entered his apartment and slammed the door behind him, Max looked up from his computer, giving him a questioning look. "What's wrong? You look like you want to punch someone."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I just met the woman who's moving into 16B."

"And?" Max asked. "Did she do something to piss you off?"

"She's the chef of La Marée."

Max's eyes widened. "The one who got into it with you last night?"

"Yes."

"I did not see that coming."

"Neither did I."

"Maybe you should talk to Josie or Lexie before she signs the lease."

"It's a done deal. She's signing it now." He paced around the room, the peaceful, happy feeling from his run having quickly vanished. And it wasn't just because Madison rubbed him the wrong way; it was also because she'd rubbed him the right way before he'd known who she was.

He still couldn't sync the woman he'd met at Maverick's who'd just wanted to drink and dance and make out, with the self-righteous chef from La Marée. It bothered him that he hadn't seen who she really was at Maverick's. But clearly, she had not been herself that night. The woman who wanted him to move his line away from her empty restaurant—that was the real Madison Baldwin, not the sexy, flirty blonde whose kiss he couldn't quite forget, but really needed to.

"Do you want to get some breakfast?" Max asked, distracting him from his thoughts. "I could use a break from my computer. Pancakes at Daisy's?"

He probably needed another run more than pancakes, but seeing the stressed expression on his friend's face reminded him that he wasn't the only one with problems. "Sure. But let me take a shower first."

"I'll be ready when you are."

He nodded, then went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, keeping the temperature cool because he was definitely feeling overheated.

"Is Gabe living here going to be a problem?" Lexie asked as she showed Madison the laundry room.

Her pulse was still pounding after seeing Gabe and realizing he lived at Ocean Shores. She'd had no idea. And if she had, she wouldn't have even looked at the apartment. But now that she'd seen it and met some of the residents, she didn't want to say no. She'd been living out of a residence hotel for two months, and she wanted a place that was hers, where she could move her furniture in, where she could set up her life. And this place was perfect. It was right by the beach, and she'd loved the apartment.

Although, after her conversation with Larry last night, was she wise to sign a lease? What if she didn't make good on her promise to increase business at La Marée? What if she was out of a job in four weeks?

But she couldn't keep living in a hotel. And she had to have confidence in herself. Maybe this was a step in the right direction. And it wasn't like she'd have to see Gabe.

That thought brought a question to her mind. "Where is Gabe's apartment?"

"It's around the corner from yours. He's in 12B."

"Oh, that close, huh?"

"You two don't like each other?"

"I don't really know him," she said, not wanting to think about or mention the night they'd kissed as two strangers who were very attracted to each other.

"Gabe is a great guy. I know there's some problem with his food truck and your restaurant, but hopefully you can work that out."

"I'm not sure we can. Gabe told me he wanted to work for my boss, but I got the job instead of him. That's why he parked his truck down the street from my restaurant, so my boss would see how busy his truck is. That doesn't sound like a great guy."

"Gabe has been looking to get into a restaurant for several years," Lexie said slowly. "I know he was very interested in that space and disappointed when he didn't get the job, but I'm sure he doesn't blame you for that. You're not the owner, right?"

"No, I'm not, and I had no idea he'd talked to the owner or that anyone else was in contention until last night when he told me."

"Gabe is passionate, but he is a good person," Lexie said. "He's very well-liked around here. We have a lot of tenant events: barbecues, happy hours, and more. If you think the two of you being in the same building will be a problem, then maybe you'll want to reconsider renting the apartment."

She probably should reconsider, but she didn't want to. "I want the apartment. I'm sure you're right that once Gabe and I get to know each other, we'll be able to work things out."

"Okay, good," Lexie said with relief. "Drea told me you're an amazing person, and I know Gabe is as well. I have to believe two amazing people will find a way to get along."

"It will work out," she said, not sure that was true, but she wouldn't let Gabe stop her from getting the perfect apartment or losing her perfect restaurant.

"Great. I'll introduce you to Aunt Josie now. She's the official manager, and we'll sign the paperwork and give you the keys. How soon will you move in?"

"Is tomorrow okay?"

"Eager to get out of that hotel, are you?"

"You can't imagine. It's so sterile and impersonal."

"Well, Ocean Shores is anything but that."

"The restaurant is closed on Mondays, so it's a good day for me to rent a truck and get my stuff out of storage."

"If you need help with manpower, I have people I can recommend. They help with a lot of moves in and out of Ocean Shores."

"That would be great. You're making this so easy, Lexie."

"We do whatever we can to help. You're going to love living here, Madison."

"I hope so," she said. "I'm ready to settle in somewhere."

"I can't wait to try your restaurant."

"I'd love to have you. Let me know what day you'd like to come, and Drea and I will make sure you get a good table and the best service."

"I'll let you know."

As she followed Lexie out of the laundry room and back into the courtyard, she saw several more people had joined the group by the pool. There was a lot of conversation and easy laughter, and she could feel the warm, friendly vibe.

She didn't know if that vibe would include her if Gabe made it a point to ostracize her from the group, but she'd deal with that if it happened. She'd had a lot of practice. She'd been the outsider many times in her life, including her own family.

She couldn't really imagine what it would feel like to be on the inside of a group, part of familiar teasing jokes and banter. But she needed an apartment more than she needed a group, so she was going to sign the lease, get the keys, and move in before she changed her mind.