Page 46 of See You Next Tuesday

“I don’t wish he was here,” Gabe blurted. Anya was so close to him, and her perfume was dark and spicy. He wanted to grab her. To consume her. He couldn’t think. “I never want to see that guy again.”

“Why are you like this?” she asked. Her voice was strained, her chest moving visibly with every intake of breath.

“I don’t know.” He was breathing hard too. “Why are you wearing that?”

“Four Chiang Mai Slings!” Morgan was back with their drinks. “Keep it on the same tab?”

“Yeah.” Gabe cleared his throat. “Thanks, Morgan.”

He and Anya each picked up two drinks and carried them over to Kira and Simone’s table, which was now full of their friends and colleagues. Anya wedged herself between Simone and Ike, and Gabe sat down on the other side of Kira.

“Dude, what happened?” Kira asked.

“What do you mean?” Gabe said nonchalantly.

“You and Anya? Fighting at the bar?” Kira spoke under her breath, and the music in the bar was loud enough that it was easy not to be overheard. “It looked pretty intense. Was it about work?”

“No, no.” Gabe ran a hand through his hair. “I was kind of an ass to her boyfriend earlier, and she was mad about it. It’ll be fine.”

Kira sighed. “Simone says we shouldn’t get involved, but I need to say it: Sometimes I wish you two would either figure things out or move on.”

“We have moved on.” Gabe bristled. “I mean, I have.”

“Have you?” Kira looked at him skeptically. “Because you’ve glanced over at her like fifteen times since you sat down.”

Gabe exhaled heavily. “Most days, it’s fine. It’s like you said—we keep it professional. She’s my colleague. I don’t think about it.”

“And today?” Kira asked.

Gabe’s chest felt tight. “I’m thinking about it.”

“Talk to her,” Kira implored him. “You’re making this so much harder than it needs to be.”

“There’s no point. I know what she thinks of me, and I know what I think of her.”

“But you want her anyway?”

Gabe didn’t want to feel this way about Anya. He didn’t want to think about pulling her into a bathroom, or an elevator, or a dark hallway, and untying that bustier’s ribbon with his teeth. He didn’t want to feel so desperate to touch her that he’d gladly throw away his own relationship if she’d just let him book one of the hotel rooms upstairs and keep her awake in it all night.

“Gabe?” Kira asked. She looked so concerned. She was a better friend than he deserved.

“You’re right. I’ll apologize,” Gabe said. “Don’t worry, I won’t let things get weird at work again.”

“Good.” Kira clinked her glass against Gabe’s and took a drink. “And hey—Tallulah’s great.”

“She is, isn’t she?” Gabe knew his girlfriend was amazing, which made him feel even worse about how attracted he still was to Anya. Lu never made him feel like garbage. Being with Lu was nonstop fun (well, when they actually got to be together, which was admittedly rare). Maybe Kira was right. He was making this a lot harder than it needed to be.

“Sorry for being a downer on your birthday.” Gabe sat up straighter, forced his voice into a brighter tone. “You ready for another drink?”

“That depends.” Kira gave him a devious smile. “Should we take this one back to Miami?”

“Oh absolutely, we should.” Gabe stood up. “One round of tequila shots, coming up.”

Gabe went back to the bar, and Morgan made a joke about him being back so soon—did he miss her? Gabe laughed and ordered the round of shots, then looked back toward his friends. Simone said something that cracked Anya up; Anya threw her head back laughing. She was so beautiful. And so happy. Gabe would text her later to apologize for how he’d acted with Zeke—he’d been out of line. Kira was right, there was no reason to make this situation any more difficult than it needed to be. Anya was in a relationship and so was he. There were only ten weeks left until the election.

Chapter 9

——Forwarded Message——