“I’m sure he’s dying to see you in that dress though,” I wink. Everly looks stunning, her curves shown off in the brown satin dress. Her cheeks begin to turn red and she quickly ducks her head to hide it. It’s so cute to see her like this.
Everly quickly fans her face with her hands before asking me about Kyle. “Well, how’s everything with you since he-who-must-not-be-named broke up with you?”
I expected this question at some point tonight, but what I didn't expect was my reaction. There was none. No empty pit in my stomach at the mention of the break-up, no stinging of tears threatening to fall, not a twinge of hurt or sadness—just nothing.
I wonder if Gabe has anything to do with that.
Taking a sip of the water that the waitress set at the table, I answer honestly. “Things have been really good actually. Work has slowed down some, and you know that Christy and I are doing the pole dancing class. Things are good.” I wasn’t sure if I was ready to bring up that Gabe and I are… I don’t know… Together?
We are definitely more than friends.
I think I want to keep that a secret for a bit longer, loving that only the two of us know what’s going on. It’s our sexy little secret.
“Why do I feel like there’s more to this story?” My sister leans forward, an inquisitive look on her face. “I feel like something is up.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me, making me laugh.
“Oh, shut up,” I tease. “You’ll find out when you need to find out, okay?”
After a couple more hours of dancing and drinking, we take a cab back to the penthouse. Holden’s place is absolutely gorgeous, and I can understand why Everly didn’t want to leave when they were snowed in days before Christmas. The entire space is massive with floor-to-ceiling windows covering the entire outside wall, giving a breathtaking view of the city below.
We all head upstairs to the bedrooms, exhausted from our night out. Ev takes the master while Christy and I go into the spare rooms down the hall. Quickly changing into comfy pajamas, not bothering to take off my makeup, I crawl under the down comforter.
Oh my god, I need to ask Holden where this mattress is from. I feel like I’m lying on a cloud.
Reaching over to the bedside table, I grab my phone and look at the time. It’s late, but maybe Gabe will be awake. Pulling up our most recent text thread, I quickly type a message.
Melissa:How’s work?
I don’t expect him to respond right away, but before long my phone buzzes with an incoming message.
Gabriel:It’s ok. Had a bad call earlier. Took a while to put out.
Dread fills me at the thought of Gabe battling the flames. I find it heroic that men like him are willing to put their lives on the line to save others, and this job fits Gabe perfectly. But I still worry. Fires can be unpredictable, buildings can look stable before suddenly collapsing, debris can fall and hit or trap him. Thinking about his life being in danger has heavy emotions pooling in my gut that threaten to debilitate me. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm the anxiety that just flooded through me.
Is this how it’s always going to be? The worry?
Melissa:R U ok?
Gabriel:All good. I’m whole, so don’t worry
Releasing a breath, I close my eyes, hugging my phone to my chest. He knows exactly what to say. He knew I would be worried about him.
I love him so much.
Unbidden tears spring into my eyes at the recognition of how deeply I love him. I know that we’ve only taken our relationship to new levels for the last several weeks, but it’s like we were always meant to be this way.
Swiping the tears away, I read the next message that pops onto my screen.
Gabriel:Did you have fun tonight?
Melissa: Yep. I’m safe and sound, snuggled in bed…missing you…
He doesn’t respond automatically like in the last text. Maybe he went to bed? Fires like that can be exhausting, so I’m sure he needs his sleep. My eyes drift closed as I wait for his response. Just before I fall asleep, my phone buzzes.
Gabriel:Get some sleep Sunny
I want so badly to text back “I love you.” It’s not like I haven’t told him I loved him before— we’ve been best friends for over a decade—but this time is different.
A new type of love for him has settled in my bones, and when I tell him I’m in love with him, it sure as hell won’t be through a text message.
