I stare at him. “I’m not in the mood for a hookup.”
“Then don’t hook up.” He waves a hand like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “No obligation. We just go to a bar, maybe a club if we feel like it. You can flirt with hot Italians, and I’ll be there as your support. Worst-case scenario, we have a few drinks and leave. Besides, I need a distraction from the garden work. It’ll do us both good to get out of this house for a while.”
I’m still staring at him, trying to process what he just said. “You want to be my wingman.”
“Yeah. You know some gay bars or clubs around here, right?” He crosses his arms, leaning back against the counter. “We can go there.”
I laugh in disbelief. “You want to go to a gay club?”
“Why not?”
“You’re straight.”
He shrugs again, unbothered. “I’m not one of those homophobic assholes.”
“You don’t have to do this, Marshall.”
“I know.” His voice softens, and the grin fades into something more sincere. “But I want to.”
I hold his gaze for a moment, and I can see he means it. He’s not doing this because he pities me. He’s doing it because he wants to help, because he cares, because he’s Marshall and this is what Marshall does.
Something warm unfurls in my chest, and I have to look away before it shows on my face.
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” I ask.
Marshall’s grin returns full force. “Nope.”
I sigh, but it’s not real resistance. It’s surrender disguised as reluctance. “Fine. But if this goes badly, I’m blaming you.”
“Deal.” He pushes off the counter. “Suit up, gorgeous. Let’s go break some hearts.”
5
Marshall
I hear footsteps on the stairs and do a double-take when look up from where I’m leaning against the bannister. Gabriel is wearing a cream silk shirt that catches the light, the soft fabric tucked loosely into black trousers that fit him perfectly. Layered necklaces rest against his collarbone, thin gold chains that draw my eyes to the open collar of his shirt. His hair is pulled back in that half-tied style he does, the rest falling just past his jaw. I stare for a beat too long before I catch myself.
His mouth quirks up at the corner. “What?”
“Uh, nothing.” I clear my throat and straighten up. “You look great.”
“You too.”
His eyes sweep over me, taking in the black linen button-up I chose, sleeves rolled to my forearms, and the charcoal pants I paired with dark worn loafers. The only accessory I kept is my watch, the one I never take off. It feels excessive next to the casual look I’m going for, but I like the weight of it on my wrist.
Gabriel’s gaze lingers on my forearms for a second before he looks away. “Ready?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
We head out through the back of the villa toward the pier. The air has cooled now that the sun’s gone, but it’s still warm, the kind of warmth that settles into your skin and stays there. Our footsteps are quiet on the stone path, and neither of us speaks. It’s comfortable and easy, and I’m glad we’re doing this, even if I’m not entirely sure what this is.
The motorboat is tied to the pier, bobbing in the water. Gabriel climbs in first and I follow. He starts the engine while I untie the rope and push us off. The motor sputters to life, and he steers us away from the dock with the kind of ease that makes me think he’s done this a thousand times.
I settle into the seat across from him and watch as he navigates us out onto the lake. The lights from the shore reflect on the water, gold and white and shimmering. Gabriel’s face is lit by the glow of the boat’s console, his profile sharp against the darkness. He looks thoughtful but calm, as if this is exactly where he needs to be.
I don’t say anything, and neither does he. The companionable silence stretches between us, and I lean back and let the boat carry us across the water, the sound of the motor filling the quiet.
Como comes into view after about twenty minutes, the city lights glowing against the dark hills. Gabriel slows the boat as we approach the docks and maneuvers us into an open slip. I tie us off and climb out, offering him a hand even though he doesn’t need it. He takes it anyway, his palm warm against mine, and steps onto the dock.
