“I just…I don’t really like asking my friends and family for help when it comes to the café,” I admitted. It was my first timesaying this out loud. “Having my mom come in when it was busy already felt like a big ask to me. I don’t want them to think I can’t do this on my own. To think I made a mistake or that I can’t handle it.”
I did my best to focus on the conversation, but it was challenging when his thumb ran small circles over my jeans.
“I haven’t been here all that long, but I can safely say no one thinks that.”
“But what about Hal? Isn’t that the reason we’re in this mess?” I raised my hand to gesture to the café.
“I don’t know what he’s thinking—I don’t think anyone does—but I think part of it is he wants you to realize youcanask for help…and that you should when you need it. Hiring Tiffany was a big step. Look at how much more you’ve been able to get done over the last few weeks with her help.”
I tilted my head. Gabe made a good point—and it was a good reminder, too. Asking for help didn’t make me weak, and it didn’t show that I couldn’t run my café. It made me more responsible. It showed how many people I had in my corner. How many people wanted to see me succeed—and help me get there.
“How do you know just the right thing to say?”
A low, derisive laugh escaped him. He averted his gaze before speaking, his eyes focused on the café wall. “I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me before.”
“I’m glad I could be the first.”
His eyes met mine again, and I could have sworn he leaned forward the smallest amount. I nearly closed the distance, unable to handle the tension in the air.
Then his phone rang.
Gabe moved his hands from my thighs and reached into his pocket to pull his phone out. He tilted the phone away from me, but not before I saw the nameRon Nelsonflash on the screen.
“I should, uh”—he cleared his throat—“I should take this.” He stood, about to walk away, but paused. “Are you okay? Feeling better?”
A part of me wanted to lie, to keep him in this moment with me a little longer. But I didn’t. I smiled softly up at him, nodding. “I’m feeling better, yeah. Thanks again for what you said.”
“I meant every word.”
With how his feet were glued to the floor, I thought maybe he’d stay. But when his phone rang again, Gabe grabbed his backpack and answered it without hesitation this time. I tried not to think about how my heart dropped at the sight of him leaving the café with his shoulders slumped and head hanging low.
When I got back to my apartment that evening, I was doing my best to focus on Gabe’s assurance. I’d already texted my mom, Jules, and Eliza. And I knew I had other people in my corner, too, if need be. I texted Tiffany to reassure her that everything would be fine.
It was all going to be okay. Which was exactly why I was trying to relax tonight by watchingHome Alone. I was lying on the couch, with one leg hanging off and my head turned sideways toward the television. Bandit was curled up on my chest, purring, while Sylvie roamed by the food bowls, acting like she hadn’t been fed indays. When, in reality, she ate half an hour ago.
Sylvie lifted her head when a very particular pattern was knocked on the door, letting me know Eliza was on the other side.
“I’m sorry, but I need to get up.” I scooped Bandit and set him on a blanket on the other end of the couch, where he promptly curled up and resumed his nap. I paused the movie and walked to the door, grinning when I saw Eliza on the other side. “What’s up?”
“Wanted to make sure you were okay. Your text sounded…panicked.” She narrowed her eyes at me, as if trying to get a sense of how I was feeling. Whatever she saw in my expression caused her shoulders to visibly relax, and the worry eased from her face. “You’re feeling better about it all?”
I nodded to confirm. “I am. Gabe reassured me and reminded me that I don’t have to do it all alone, which sounds obvious, but…”
“But you need that reminder pretty often,” Eliza said with a laugh.
Once she walked in, I closed the door and followed her to the kitchen, where she opened the fridge and grabbed a sparkling water. I took a seat on the stool next to the island. Memories of Gabe being in my apartment flooded my brain, especially our practice kiss.
“How are things going with Gabe and your list?”
“Huh?” I returned my attention to Eliza, who was standing on the other side of the island, sipping her sparkling water and staring at me. “The kiss?”
Eliza grinned. “I asked how things are going with Gabe and yourlist, but I see where your mind is at.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t bother arguing with her since she was right. “Things are going well, and I’m realizing that I really like spending time with him,” I admitted on a sigh.
“You like him,” Eliza said matter-of-factly.
I rolled my lips, not ready to say those words out loud yet. Instead, I settled on, “It doesn’t matter if I do or not. There’s so many reasons why this would never work, starting with the building. I might’ve been wrong about him at the start, but that doesn’t change that we both want the same thing and only one of us is going to get it.”
