“It’s okay, Gabe. At least we can rule out Sesame being some kind of powerful, evil psychic. And Grand—I mean, Elanora gave me an idea to try.”
“I am relieved you are not angry with me.”
“Well, hang on to that feeling for a minute because it’s my turn to apologize to you.”
“You are forgiven,” he said immediately.
“I’d rather you wait to hear what I did before forgiving me. I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
He nodded. “I will try to temporarily withhold my forgiveness.”
Riley took a deep breath. “I didn’t listen to you and pushed too hard with Sesame. I thought finding out what we needed to know was more important than my psychic health, and I was wrong. Now my spirit guides are gone and so is Cotton Candy World. The only time I get any kind of messages or visions is when I’m asleep. And that was only once, unless someone is going to show up today and start pointing fingers at me.”
She ran out of steam with her confession and stared at her feet, waiting for Gabe’s disapproval.
“You are forgiven,” he said again.
She peeked up at him. He didn’t look like he was going to cry, which took some of the tension out of her shoulders. “Are you sure? I didn’t listen to your warnings and now I’m not psychic anymore.”
“I am your friend. As such, I am here to support you, not judge you.”
Gabe and Wander were a match made in Do the Right Thing Heaven.
She let out a breath. “I really am sorry for not listening to you. I thought I could handle it and I was wrong. Now I’m paying the price, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get my powers back.”
Gabe patted her on the head with one gigantic hand. “I believe in you, Riley Thorn. We will get through this together.”
“Do you think I can be psychic again?” she asked in a small, pathetic voice.
“I believe with the right path, you can do anything you wish,” he said.
“I’d really love a yes or a no right now. I’m feeling too vulnerable for philosophy.”
“Then yes. If you wish to become psychic again, you shall. And I will help you.”
She threw herself against his cinder block chest and hugged him. “Thanks, Gabe. You’re a good friend.”
He returned the hug, cracking Riley’s back like bubble wrap. “I am honored to be your friend.”
“Want some breakfast?” she offered.
He set her back on her feet. “I am humbled by your invitation, but I must regretfully decline. I am taking Lily to the grocery store before all the good cupcake icing is gone.”
“You’re a good man, Gabe. Hey, what is your last name anyway?”
He cocked his head. “I have no last name.”
“Like Cher?”
“I am unfamiliar with Cher.”
“Oh, my friend. You are missing out.” Riley took his phone back and opened his music app. “Here. Now you have a whole Cher playlist for your trip to the grocery store.”
He beamed at her, his smile brighter than the morning sun. “Thank you, Riley.”
“Thank you, Gabe.”
She waved him off from the mudroom, watching him expertly pick his way through Burt’s land mines. A velour tracksuit–wearing Lily was waiting for him in the parking lot next to her vehicle.
