"And maybe …" I check my pasta water and stall long enough to salt it. "You could invite Asher and Adam.” The second the words leave my mouth, I see the change in his expression. The split-second shift from casual ease to strained tension. “I know you don’t see them as family and I think that’s fine,” I rush to add before he has the chance to shut my idea down. “But, it can’t hurt to get to know them better, right?”
Gabriel’s jaw tightens, his easy going demeanor slipping for a moment. “I don’t know ...”
“It was just an idea.” I place a hand on his arm, squeezing gently. “I figured with the team there, you’d have a buffer. But, it’s probably a bad idea, anyway. Forget I mentioned it.”
He doesn’t respond immediately, and I can see the internal battle playing out in his head. But finally, he lets out a sigh. “I’ll think about it.”
“Cool.” I smile, reaching for the pasta. "Now, let’s finish cooking so I can eat before I have to go.”
The rest of the meal prep goes quickly, the tension easing between us as I throw the pasta into the boiling water, stirring it occasionally while the sauce continues to simmer. I can feel his eyes on me, that familiar warmth in his gaze, and it makes my heart skip a beat. There’s something so intimate about cooking together, about sharing this simple piece of my heritage with him.
A few minutes later, I drain the pasta and mix it with the sauce, plating two bowls and sliding one over to him. Gabrielgrabs two forks, handing me one as we sit down at the small kitchen table.
He takes a bite, closing his eyes briefly as he chews. "Damn, this is good."
"Better than your cooking?" I tease, twirling a forkful of pasta.
He chuckles, shaking his head. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Mexican food will always reign supreme.”
We eat in comfortable silence, the tension from earlier melting away as we share the meal. Gabriel's mood seems lighter, more relaxed, and I’m glad we took this moment together. His leg brushes against mine beneath the table and butterflies dance in my stomach.
I don’t know what it is. I just … I really like being with him like this.
But as much as I wish I could stay, I glance at the clock, realizing I need to leave soon.
“I should head out,” I say reluctantly after finishing my bowl, glancing at the clock. “Coach will kill me if I’m late for practice.”
Gabriel stands, his expression softening. “I’ll drop you off.”
I shake my head, grabbing my phone. “It’s okay. I already texted Adriana. She’s going to swing by and pick me up on her way.”
He doesn’t argue, just watches as I gather my things. But before I can head to the door, he pulls me into his arms, his lips brushing against mine in a lingering kiss that leaves me breathless.
“You sure you don’t want to stay?” he murmurs against my lips, his voice low and tempting. “You could skip practice. We could stay in. Have a movie night ...”
I laugh, swatting his chest playfully. “Nice try. I’ll see you later.”
He leans down, pressing one last kiss to my lips. “After practice.” He doesn’t voice it as a question but I answer him anyway.
“I’ll try," I whisper, my heart so incredibly full as I head out his front door.
gabriel
. . .
The cool airbrushes against my skin as I step out of the communications building, the bite of winter just around the corner, matching the chill creeping into my mood. I shift the weight of my bag on my shoulder. Everything feels a little heavier today, maybe because I miss having my girl here. Having Cecilia beside me in class, walking next to her through the crowded halls, the touch of her fingers brushing mine as we’d weave through campus like it was our own world.
Before all the shit with Austin, seeing her every weekday was a guarantee, part of my routine. But that’s not the case anymore.
It’s been four days since we shared a meal together at my place, and I hate how much I fucking miss her. We’ve both been running on empty—her dealing with attorney meetings about Austin’s sentencing, a swim meet out of town, and me drowning in practices and classes. Even texting back and forth has been a struggle, and I hate it.
It's a stark contrast to when we’d grab lunch between classes, her exasperated smile always lightening my mood, no matter how shitty my day had been.
I run a hand through my hair, thinking about how it felt to kiss her goodbye the other day. She'd been heading out with Adriana, but the way her lips lingered against mine made it clear she missed me too. That connection between us, it's a lifeline I didn’t know I needed until now.
As I cut across campus, my mind drifts to her, wondering what she’s doing right now. Is she home studying or is she putting in some time in the pool?
Hell, I didn’t even get to see her meet the other day. It sucks. I’m used to being there, cheering her on, supporting her. This whole week has just been … off.
