And of course, my phone rings.
Of course it does.
And it has to be Connor. The one person who never seems to get the hint. The same one who made me question my worth and left pieces of me shattered all over town like confetti no one bothered to clean up.
I stare at the screen, his name flashing like an unwelcome ghost from the past. Without hesitation, I decline the call. I don’t need to hear the voicemail—I already know what it’ll say. Some half-hearted excuse for the sudden texts, some weak attempt to claw his way back into my life.
I’m done with it. I’m done with him. And yet, the guilt gnaws at me. It always does.
Why doesn’t he leave me alone?
“You can answer that if you need to,” Gabriel says gruffly, his hands on the wheel, the car idling in my driveway. “Don’t let me hold you back. We’re sitting in your driveway. You’ve got every right to get out and leave this car whenever you want.”
There it is again. The cold, distant Gabriel I first met. The one who hides behind the walls he builds. It makes me want to cry out and ask him what happened to the guy who had been laughing and joking with me at the water park—the one who smiles at Aura in a way that makes my heart ache.
Why does he keep retreating like this? Every time we get close, he pulls back, like he’s afraid to let himself be happy. Like I’m dangerous. Or maybe… like he is.
And maybe I should walk away. But I’ve done that before—with Connor, with other guys, even my own damn dreams. Maybe it’s time I stopped running.
I hesitate before answering, my voice quiet but steady. “Gab, trust me. I am not answering for a reason. It’s my annoying ex who will not leave me alone no matter how much I tell him I’ve moved on. I haven’t gotten out of the car because I don’t want this day to end. I have had the most amazing day with you and Aura.”
His expression shifts. The wall doesn’t completely crumble, but it cracks. His shoulders ease. His jaw unclenches. For a second, I think he’s going to reach for my hand, but he doesn’t. He just looks at me with a quiet intensity that says more than words ever could.
“How long has this ass been bothering you?” Gabriel asks, his jaw hardening. “Have you told your brothers? Josh?”
“I haven’t told anyone,” I reply, my voice small. “Not even Harlow or Melanie. Please don’t say anything to Josh. I know he means well, and he’s like another brother to me, but I don’t want my brothers involved. It’s...complicated.”
He nods softly, but the worry doesn’t entirely leave his eyes. “Okay, but please, for the love of all that is holy, tell me if he keeps bothering you. If it gets any worse, I will file the restraining order for you. Don’t let this shit slide.”
I swallow, nodding silently, feeling a knot form in my throat. I can’t explain how much I appreciate Gabriel going to such lengths for me. No one has cared for me like this besides my family. But I know he’s serious, and that scares me a little. I don’t want to burden him with my problems, even if he is offering to help.
“Thank you,” I murmur softly, finally opening the car door. “I’ll keep you updated, I promise."
When I step out of the car, I feel oddly calm. It’s a weird contrast to the chaos of my thoughts, especially with Connor’s texts relentlessly pinging my phone.
If I had been alone or hadn’t spent the entire day with Gabriel, I would’ve been spiraling by now, my anxiety through the roof. But something about being with Gabriel—his presence, his easy care for me and Aura—has me feeling…safe. More confident, even.
And isn’t that the wildest part? Not the Italy invite, not the hard length pressing into me in the pool—though, yeah, that was a moment—but the fact that for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m not holding my breath.
I watch the car pull away, Gabriel waving from the driver’s seat. I walk into my house, still processing everything that just happened. It feels like the weight of the day has been lifted off my shoulders—though I know it’s still lingering, just out of reach.
I can’t believe the day I’ve had. I spent hours with Gabriel—at the water park, holding Aura, laughing, and talking. And then, he asked me to come to Italy. Italy! That question has been swirling in my mind, even as I sip my hot chocolate and try to ground myself in reality. Is this happening? Am I really considering this?
I glance at my phone and see a stream of texts from Melanieand Harlow. They’ve been trying to get the details out of me all day. I pick it up and scroll through their messages.
Melanie
Hey Mills!!!! What are you up to today?
Harlow
Yes, what are you up to? Or should I say who? I heard from a little birdie that you were cozy with Officer Hottie in the convenience store today.
I can’t help but laugh out loud, shaking my head.
Me
First, I was NOT cozy with Gabriel. Second, I may or may not have spent the entire day at the water park with Gabriel and Aura.
