Gabe studied his mom for a long moment before saying, "Fine. Then I want to spend the day with you all at the Arboretum in Yakima."
"No, let's do what you want to do, not what I would choose."
"That's what I want too, Mom." Gabe gave his mother an earnest look. "I want to spend my birthday at the botanical gardens with you."
Marisol's lips lifted as she nodded. "That's what we'll do then. Should we pack a picnic or?—"
"No," Gabe cut her off. "I'll treat you guys to dinner at that steak house we all like."
"We should treat you on your birthday." Although Paige wasn't sureher dwindling savings could afford to pay for dinner for four at an expensive steak house, especially if she didn't get a new job lined up soon.
"You asked what I want to do, and there's my answer. I want to take the most important women in my life to dinner on my birthday." Gabe's gaze lingered on his mom before shifting to Grace.
Paige kept waiting for him to look at her, but he didn't. He simply gave her hand a slight squeeze before releasing it to pick up his water glass. A cold chill swept over her as disappointment rained down on her. Gabe had told her he couldn't make any promises, so why did she keep getting her hopes up?
"So, what are you giving Gabe for his birthday?" Grace asked a gleam in her eyes.
Another surge of panic hit Paige, tightening her full stomach. So much for thinking she and Grace were friends. A true friend would never put her on the spot like that.
Paige recalled the socks she bought that reminded her of Gabe when she was shopping for a new swimsuit. She could give them to him for his birthday, rather than save them until she finished PT. But socks were a lame gift to give to a boyfriend.
"Well…um…I'm still deciding. I bought a little something for him a couple weeks ago, but I was hoping you guys could give me some ideas of what else to get him."
"You already bought me something?" Surprise registered on Gabe's face and in his voice.
She grinned. "I did."
"Seriously?" When she nodded, he asked, "What is it?"
"Nice try." She wagged a finger at him. "You'll have to wait until your birthday to find out." He continued to study her with a perplexed expression as she turned her attention back to his mom and sister. "You know how Gabe is—always taking care of everyone else—but doesn't want anyone to make a fuss over him."
"He's always been like that," Marisol said. "He never wants anything big. He's content with a book or new socks."
Paige grinned, proud of herself for recognizing that part of Gabe'spersonality before getting to know him. And at his mother's mention of a book, an idea formed in the back of her mind as she recalled the memory book Amy made for Ben after Cassey was found. Maybe she could do something to preserve Gabe's memories of his mother. She didn't have much time though. She'd have to think long and hard about it and enlist Grace's help.
"Grace and I will think about it and see if we can come up with some ideas for you." Marisol picked up her plate and stood from the table.
"Actually, you already gave me one." She darted a glance at Gabe before turning back to Marisol and Grace. "But I'm going to need your help."
"Help with what?" Curiosity filled Gabe's voice.
"It's a surprise, birthday boy." Paige patted his chest before standing. "I'll call or text you ladies tomorrow."
"I hate surprises," Gabe grumbled.
"We know," Grace and Marisol said in unison. Then Grace added, "That's why we like planning them for you."
Considering Gabe's serious nature and how intentional he was in everything he did, Paige didn't doubt he hated surprises. Especially when they came in the form of his dad walking out, his fiancée leaving him at the altar, and his mother receiving a diagnosis of stage-four cancer.
Once the kitchen was clean, they settled in the family room to play games, where Paige found herself repeatedly laughing about one thing or another. Gabe's mom and sister were so easy to get along with.
Even though she and Gabe were partners in some of the games and sat beside each other, Paige couldn't help but feel the emotional distance he’d put between them. One moment he was kissing her in the kitchen, and the next, he was throwing up walls.
She couldn't help thinking about what she went through with Phillip. He’d said he cared about her, but he was slow to text her back or answer her calls? In this case, why didn't Gabe touch her?
It was dusk by the time they left Gabe's mom's house. He’d grownquieter over the course of the evening. So much so, Paige was certain she'd done something wrong.
With the silence in the car growing more oppressive by the mile, the drive back to Gabe's apartment lasted an eternity. Paige wanted to ask him what she'd done wrong, but she feared he’d tell her he'd changed his mind and didn't want her to be his fake girlfriend anymore.
