“Glad to have you back, sis,” she said.
Shot to the heart, and it felt amazing.
“Glad to be back, honey,” I replied.
Her attention shifted to Gabe. “Forty-five?”
Gabe looked down at me.
Yeesh.
There it was again.
This was a man who knew the woman was the one who needed the time to get ready, so it was her who should dictate the amount of time that would take.
I didn’t climb him like a tree because I loved learning he got this (more’s the pity).
I turned to Shanti and answered, “Sounds good.”
“We’ll meet at the man-mobile,” Shanti said as she walked out the door.
“You mean the Wrangler?” I asked.
“What else would I mean?” she answered. And to Gabe she said, “Obviously, you’re driving, because we’re gonna get our mimosas without juice on. It’s a celebration. For several reasons.”
With that, she winked at me.
Then she closed the door, and she was gone.
TEN
ARTIE
Shanti and I were only a little bit tipsy when Gabe dropped us off at Angels Headquarters.
But it was only me that was wildly disappointed when he didn’t kiss me on the mouth to say his goodbye, but instead he did it on my forehead, then he swung into his man-mobile and took off.
It was clear throughout brunch with how chill he was, being his normal quiet, observant but attentive (especially to me…yum), that he was in no confusion about where I was at.
So, um…
No kiss?
And, um…
It seemed he bested the challenge.
Therefore…
Now what?
I shook off that disturbing thought because, so far, it appeared Pessimism had taken a hike, and I didn’t miss her, so I didn’t want her back, therefore I shouldn’t give her an opening to come back.
I then headed into the unit.
I was surprised to see Gemma and Joey were there, because they should be on shift at The Surf Club.
I was unsurprised Raye wasn’t there.
