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Shrinking closer to the counter, I pull up my own hood.
“Anything else?” The barista sets the tea next to my fingers.
“I’m good. Thanks.” I scratch my name across the receipt and move down the counter by the creamer, curiosity pinning me in place.
“You still run this early?” The reporter points to his track pants and running shoes. There’s a casual familiarity in the way she talks to him.
“I’m an ass-crack-of-dawn guy, Gretch.” His mouth cracks into a lazy grin. “The curse of early morning call times. But your show films after the sun comes up, so what the hell?”
“I needed caffeine.” She sits in the chair across from him, her monochrome black blouse, skirt, and heels are better suited for sunset than sunrise. “Since I’m here, why don’t we do a quick interview.” She pulls out a small recorder and clicks it on. “More than just Kimberly Kane rumors are floating fromThe Pack’sset. Anything you want to share about the mid-season finale?”
He clicks it off. “You know I’m not allowed to give spoilers.” His tone stays in the no-big-deal zone, but he stiffens slightly. He’s handling her. But not as easily as yesterday. I wonder if she notices something’s off.
“It’s interesting thatThe Packis doing a last-minute reshoot in North Carolina while you’re here.” She taps glossy red nails on the table like she’s itching to turn the recorder back on.
“What can I tell you?” He gives a low laugh that doesn’t quite cover the catch in his voice. “My scenes were perfect. And Jess is here.”
“Jess.” Going by theyeah, rightin Gretchen’s voice, she puts as much stock in that being the reason as I do. “Gabrica?” Her nose wrinkles. “Tacky.”
“I like it.”
Of course he does. His name is first, and he gets five of the seven letters. I need to walk away from the wonky feelings surfing my stomach every time I see him. I’m a second from escaping when my gaze strays to the hand he has pressed against his thigh—and the fingers he’s digging into his leg. I follow the line of his arm to his face and study the tension in his shoulders, his jaw, his eyes.
Images of him saving me last night hold me captive along with my Gabe empathy. We’re both keeping secrets. We’re both a mixed-up mess. Only he hides it better.
Two minutes later, I pull off my hood, pick up my tea and the coffee I just bought Gabe, and head toward his table, grimacing at my cat-infested PJ’s.
Am I doing this? Dressed like this? I should’ve showered. Flat-ironed. Put on makeup and deodorant. Oh great. I spaced deodorant. I tip my chin toward my armpits. But I can’t smell anything through the sweatshirt.
Before I chicken out, I set both cups in front of Gabe, who lifts his head and grins, like he’s anything but surprised to see me.
Surprise is all that fills Gretchen’s eyes. And maybe distaste for my preschool fashion sense. She taps long, red nails on the table, clearly irritated by my presence.
I force my lips up, but like her nails, my smile is press-on. “Sorry it took so long.” If I were writing this scene, this would be where Sara leans over and kisses Dante. A secret part of me wants to brush my lips over Gabe’s left dimple. But I’m not Sara. Gabe’s not Dante. And my save doesn’t include girlfriend benefits.
Scrambling for the next best move, I run my fingers through his hair, still damp from his Eminem impersonation in the shower. He doesn’t smell foreign like Jax this morning, he smells familiar like Gabe. Flutters thread through my belly.
“Baby, you’re the best.” He pulls me onto his lap, winding his arm around my waist.
My insta-reaction to sitting on his lap is to bail. But when he weaves his fingers through mine and presses our hands against my stomach, the soft “thank you” he whispers against my hair changes my mind.
There’s so much relief in those two words, I can’t help but lean into him.
chapter 16
Gabe
“Play people before they play you.”
~ Meredith Morgan
(played by the award-winning Meredith Wade)
Raising Ryder: Episode82
My gaze may be on Gretchen, but I’m hyperaware of Jess on my lap. How her body tucks into mine, the heat where our thighs meet, the second she relaxes.
Her attempt at a smile gets a three out of ten, but I gift her the remaining points for surprising me. I noticed her the second she hit the coffee counter. When Gretch showed, I figured Jess would bail. Instead, she stayed to save my ass.
