What in the world is happening to me?
The restaurant’s offering complimentary bottomless champagne in honor of Valentine’s Day and as soon as my glass is set before me, I reach for the bubbling drink and take a huge gulp.
I have to calm myself down before this gets out of control.
Gabe watches me as I make a fool of myself, floundering under his moss-hued gaze. “You okay there, Sunny?” A smile crosses his handsome face, his tone teasing.
Glass still emptying into my mouth, I hastily nod my head. “Mhm,” I manage, finally setting the glass down half-empty. The carbonation bubbles up my throat and I attempt to cover it up with a quiet cough. Gabe catches it though, chuckling at me as he takes a sip from his glass.
What I enjoy most about Gabe is his ability to make me feel at ease no matter what, which is what makes the feelings that are warring within me so distracting. My body has never responded to him like this before. Yes, he’s an attractive man, always has been. But for me to be aroused by looking at him?That’scompletely new.
“You look stunning tonight, Sunny.” His voice is deep and rough, sending shivers down my spine. “I’m glad I got to take you out tonight. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
A deep blush spreads across my face, and I have to resist the urge to fan myself with my hands. It takes me a moment before I can speak. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this for me. It means a lot.” I lift my glass in the air. “A toast: To friends.”
“To friends,” he repeats, but not as enthusiastically as I expected.Was that a wince?We both tilt our glasses back, eye contact never breaking.
“This champagne’s really good,” I comment, needing to say something. My glass is now empty from all my quick drinking. “I’ll have to ask what the brand is.”
Gabe just sits back and watches me as my empty glass is replaced with a new one full of champagne.
His quietness never unnerves me, but this evening—this night—everything is changing. I can’t quite figure out why as I bring the glass back up to my lips.
Chapter 6
Gabriel
By the time we reach the restaurant, I’m still trying to catch my breath. The sight of Mel in that goddamn dress, looking at me seductively, almost did me in.
She looks absolutely stunning tonight. The white dress perfectly shows off her figure and those red shoes… I almost had a heart attack. She’s cut her hair from the last time I saw her, now hanging just under her chin in loose waves. Her bright red lipstick, drawing my eyes to her luscious lips, force me to constantly remind myself not to stare at them. Which is so damn hard. All I want to do is stare at her and never look away.
She grabs another glass of champagne, her third for this evening, and I watch as she takes another sip. I know she has a high tolerance for alcohol, but I’ll keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn’t overdo it. I think she’s trying to forget the fact that it’s me sitting across the table from her and not Kyle.
Mel clears her throat, squaring her shoulders, clearly readying to say something. “So, Gabe,” she pauses,“how’s dating going?”
I’m a little confused by this turn of conversation, but I go along with it, figuring that she would rather talk about my dating life than hers at the moment. Sighing, I take a sip of champagne before answering. “It’s okay. I haven’t actually been on a date in a while. This is my first time out in a month.”
“Really?” Her expression is shocked, eyes rounded, glass frozen halfway to her mouth. “Are you serious?”
I have to fight to not run my hands through my hair. “Yeah,” I breathe. “I’ve been on a couple of dates here and there, but no one seems to stick. They’re all great, but things never go farther than a date or two.”
“Hmmm,” she hums, fingers tapping her chin. “How come I don’t believe that? You’re far too handsome tonothave women all over you.” She leans over the table, gesturing me closer with a finger. “What are you doing wrong?” she whispers. Her face breaks out into a gorgeous smile, nearly taking my breath away.
“Well, your guess is as good as mine,” I whisper back, our faces several inches apart. Staring into those gorgeous brown eyes I’m having to remind myself to look away.
She’s my best friend. I shouldn’t be thinking of her like this.
We break apart as the waiter comes to take our order. We both get the surf-n-turf with lobster and wagyu beef, the dish the restaurant is well-known for. I try not to look too closely at the prices listed on the menu. Earlier I decided that I was going to pay for this dinner, no matter what the cost. Mel deserves to be taken out for Valentine’s Day, and that’s what I’m going to do.
“I have an idea,” Mel says after the waiter walks off with our menus to place our order. “Let’s make this a real date.”
Taken back by this sudden turn of events, I’m not sure how to respond. My first response is confusion. Why would she want to make this a real date? Quickly followed by that is the unexpected longing towantto make this real.
Leaning in, I study her, rubbing my thumb across my lips deep in thought. “What do you mean, a real date?”
“I mean,” she pauses, “let’s make this a real date. We’re just two people out for Valentine’s Day. You’re just a man, I’m just a woman. No Bear, no Sunny. Just Melissa and Gabriel.”
Nerves suddenly swirl in my gut.Why is she doing this?Is she still trying to distract herself from thinking too much about Kyle? I don’t know what the right answer is. I don’t know what to say. My palms start to sweat and I rub them against my thighs.
