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CHAPTER23
She hadto admit that when she thought about this ‘second chance’ date, Ginny hadn’t really been sure if it would work out. The research was worth it, because the look on Gavin’s face as he realized what the places meant was exactly what she hoped for. But she’d gone into it with zero expectations of success and felt pretty good by how happy Gavin was.
Back on Tybee, Gavin was always the one initiating plans and things for them to do. He was the one who suggested she swing by The Crab Shack when he finished his shift for free food. He was also the one who took her to that old arcade and introduced her to the wonders ofMortal Kombat. Even the ice cream place they visited had been Gavin’s idea. All Ginny did those summers was show him a good time when they were away from prying eyes.
Except for the one time when he said their relationship was ‘none of Spencer’s business’, he’d never really asked her why nobody else knew about them. She hadn’t bothered to explain it either, he’d accepted her silence as a reason and let it go. Looking back on that now, Ginny realized that other than wanting to hook up with whoever she wanted during the summer, she didn’t have a good reason to keep things a secret.
Sure, Spencer might have had something to say about the two of them being together, but that wasn’t why they didn’t tell anyone. Once they started sneaking around, they just kept doing it. And then they broke each other’s hearts.
Earlier, she’d asked him if he washappyand the truth was that she’d never felt this way with anyone before. When they were hooking up as teenagers, she was content and satisfied. Ginny liked the way it felt to be in Gavin’s presence. But she never felt this way back then. The feeling that buzzed through her body, causing tingles at her fingertips was startling the first time she felt them. But now, she understood what it meant. Shelovedfeeling this way.
Getting ice cream and talking about each other, pointing out how she was so impressed with the man Gavin had become was important. Even though it was evident to everyone just how proud Juniper and Elijah were of their sons, Ginny liked seeing that smile bloom across Gavin’s face as they talked. This feeling was going deeper than affection and it definitely caught her off guard. Instead of hiding away from it, Ginny leaned into it. Because with Gavin, she felt safe and protected.
After they finished their ice creams, they went for a drive and watched the sun set. It was definitely one of the best ways she’d spent her day off and Ginny could tell that Gavin agreed.
When he pulled up at her house, Gavin turned to Ginny with a soft smile. “You’ve been really quiet. You okay?”
“Yes. Do you want to come in?”
She still wasn’t expecting anything more from Gavin, but she didn’t want the night to end. She didn’t want to spend the evening alone on her couch or crawl into bed by herself. Gavin’s eyes widened slightly and he glanced at her house before looking back at her.
“You sure?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
He huffed out a laugh and rubbed the back of his head. “I didn’t want to assume anything. It’s like our…second date.”
“First date,” Ginny said, scowling at him. “But what does that have to do with anything?”
“I don’t know?”
“Gavin.”
He blushed, hands clenching the steering wheel tight and then he released it so he could turn off the truck. Ginny scooted forward on the seat and with a hand on Gavin’s chin, turned his face to hers. “Would you like to come inside?”
“Yes, please.”
“Good,” she whispered and slid out of the passenger side. Tucking the fluffy animal under one arm, she fished around in her bag for her keys as she walked up to her front door. Ginny listened as Gavin’s feet hit the ground and his door closed, waiting for him to catch up with her. She felt the heat of his body against her back and unlocked her front door. The last time he’d been at her house, they’d been angry with each other. Great sex, but not the best way to enjoy it.
“Thank you for tonight,” Gavin said as he stepped into the house with her and he stood awkwardly at the door as Ginny closed it and dropped her things in the bowl by the side. “Probably the best date I’ve ever been on.”
“How many dates have you been on?” Setting the fluffy animal on the floor, Ginny toed off her shoes and untied her hair, glancing over her shoulder as she moved towards her kitchen. “I’ve heard all about your dating history, so how many other less awesome dates have you been on?”
“My what?”
Pulling open the fridge, she grabbed two bottles of water and tossed one to Gavin. “All the women you’ve been charming and seducing.”
Gavin’s forehead crinkled and crossed his arms over his chest. “Did Spencer tell you that?” At Ginny’s quick nod, Gavin sighed. “I had one girlfriend and a few passing dates. But, for the most part, I put on a show to let everyone think I’m having the time of my life. But I’m not.”
There was that twinge in her chest at the knowledge that some other woman got to experience everything about Gavin. But she had no right to feel jealous or hate her. Not when she broke his heart all those years ago. In fact, Ginny knew that she needed to be glad he’d met someone who deserved him.
“Why?”
“Because it’s easier than letting them know that I compare every woman I meet to the one that I couldn’t have,” he said softly and Ginny’s breath caught. “I honestly thought it would be easy to get under someone to get over you, but whoever came up with that method is a fucking idiot. You can’t be with someone else when your heart, head and soul belongs to one person.”
Her eyes were wide, lips parted as she stared at Gavin. She thought she understood the way he felt about her before, but it was becoming very clear to her that she knewnothing. Gavin had loved her longer than she realized and she had so much time to make up for. Yes, it wasn’t her fault that Gavin was in love with her. But he’d held her on this pedestal for years and when she hurt him, he’d continued to keep her up there.
“I don’t want to be coy and say that I’mjusta woman from your past, butdamn.”
