“Why didn’t you tell me about all the shit Mark and Ricardo were doing? What the hell?”
“I’m sorry! I thought I was handling it. I didn’t want to cause more issues and rumors about us than were already swirling.”
“Too stubborn for your own damn good.” He shakes his head at me.
“Do you forgive me?”
“I’ll think about it.” He side-eyes me, acting upset. Only one way to remedy this.
“I’m happy you’re here tonight.” I smile with my best angel face.
“Me too. I needed a night with my best gal.” He relaxes back into the cushions.
“What’s going on with you?”
“Nope, nah uh, you’re not getting off that easy. What’s going on with Rook?”
“We’ve been hanging out. Seeing each other. Sleeping together.”
“Are you together?”
“Ugh, I don’t know. We haven’t put a label on it, but we talk all the time. When you guys were on the road, we texted. And he came straight here Sunday night when he got back. It’s why I said I was busy on Monday too.”
“Figured.”
“Figured? What does that mean?”
“The man had his head buried in his phone the majority of the time we were gone. He’d asked Preston how he got Ivory to fall in love with him a while ago. I’m not an idiot, Gab, you’ve been crushing on him for a while. He flat out told you in that kitchen he couldn’t be friends with you. Something was bound tohappen between you. Not to mention I caught you in the hallway at the stadium. Was it that night? Is that when it happened?” How he can be both endearing and a gossip in the same breath will always surprise me.
“Yes, nosy, that’s when we first slept together. It’s complicated.”
“What’s complicated about it?” Taking a sip of his drink, he maintains eye contact, so I know he’s fully engaged in this conversation.
“Well, age difference aside, there’s the bit about me supervising his plea arrangement.”
“And? Has Grant said it’s an issue?” he asks.
“How would Grant know?”
“Gabby, I know you. As soon as Grant mentioned the promotion, you would’ve at least confessed to being involved with Chase in the past. Wouldn’t put it past you to try to suss out whether a future was improbable.”
“Well, that’s rude,” I say, because of course that’s exactly what happened.
“I know you.” He pokes me. “Which is why I know you’ve thought and overthought and planned out every single reason why this can’t possibly work out. Don’t do that. Just live in the moment for once. Are you happy?”
“Yes.” I sigh. For the first time in a long time, I’m really happy. I won’t say it’s all Chase, but the past few weeks talking and being with him have made me feel like I’m living.
“Then be happy! The rest will fall into place later. Don’t end it before it has a chance to really get started.”
“Thanks, Mills. You’re the best.” I lean into him and give him a hug.
“Also, it doesn’t hurt that I like the guy. He’s cool and he cares about you too.” He squeezes me quickly before letting go.
“I’m glad y’all get along. Do you know how awkward it’d be if you didn’t?”
He shudders. “Terrible.”
“So, are you going to tell me what else is going on?”
