“Misty, what’s wrong?”
She glanced up at him. How could she tell him what she was going through and not sound needy? She rose and tried to smile.
“I, um, have to tell you something. And please don’t tell Parker.”
Gabe hesitated. At last, he said, “Let’s go inside. It doesn’t sound like a discussion to be having on the doorstep.”
Misty followed him through the front door as soon as he unlocked it. She had never been to his place. The building was massive and plain. It was like a big brick block with windows. Many of the buildings around it had embellishments on the doors and windows. Not this one. Maybe it used to be a factory or warehouse, or because it was built more recently, they hadn’t bothered. Older buildings had the pretty frills.
As she entered the elevator, her shivering stopped. She wasn’t sure if it was the warmth of the lobby or being with Gabe that helped. At any rate, she felt a little more relaxed…safer, if that made sense.
When they reached the top floor, the elevator door opened, and he blocked it with his arm, then followed her out. Turning right, he strode down the hall to the end.
“You have a corner unit?” Misty asked.
“Yeah, more windows. The place gets plenty of light.” He opened the door, and she stepped inside. It was a loft apartment. Exposed ductwork on the ceilings and brick walls gave it an industrial feel. A stainless-steel prep island and appliances added to that look.
“Very masculine.”
“That’s good, since I’m very manly.” He gave her a smile to show he was joking around.
The furnishings were minimalist. He didn’t even have any window treatments. She wondered if he didn’t want any artwork on the walls or if he just hadn’t bought any.
Misty rubbed her arms absently.
“Are you still cold?” Gabe asked.
“Oh, no. Not really. I’m just…a little stressed.”
“Have a seat. What can I get you? Coffee? Water? Wine?”
She chuckled. “I need the wine, but it’s only eleven o’clock in the morning. It’s supposed to be at least noon for that, right?”
“I won’t tell if you won’t.”
She let out a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll take that wine and your silence too.”
As he strode to the open kitchen, he glanced over his shoulder and frowned. She must have looked like she was staring at him, but she was really staring into space. She quickly pulled her attention back to her lap, then it automatically returned to what he was doing. He grabbed a bottle of wine out of the refrigerator and poured her a glass. Correction, it wasn’t a glass. It was a Solo cup. Well, she’d know what to get him if she ever needed to give him a present. Wine glasses and artwork.
When he returned and handed her the cup, she took a large gulp. She figured if he wasn’t going to be fancy, she didn’t have to trot out her best manners either. He sat on the cushion next to hers and stretched his arm across the back of the sofa. He could easily put his arm around her shoulder. In fact, she wished he would.
“So, what has you stressed?”
“Gabe, you have to promise me that you won’t tell Parker. I don’t want him to worry.”
“I’m starting to worry for him. Spill it.”
She took a deep breath and said, “I went to the doctor for dizziness. He seemed to think it could be something awful.”
Gabe’s eyebrows shot up. He leaned back and gawked at her. “What makes him think that?”
“I’ve been having some balance problems. Stumbling, almost falling, and sometimes I feel dizzy, and I’ve seen spots in front of my eyes.” She took another good gulp of wine.
Gabe hesitated, then said, “I thought you just wanted me to catch you.”
She snorted. “Well, it happens even when you’re not around. You just happen to catch me when you are.”
“That sucks. Not my having to catch you—I don’t mind that—but your balance thing. Is that what made you go to the doctor?”
