Adam just waved her off. “Let me know how it goes.” He opened a folder and looked bored as he went back to work.
She strode over to Gabe. “Hi!” she said brightly.
“Hi, yourself. I didn’t expect you to be in such a good mood.”
She leaned in and whispered, “Getting out of work early always puts me in a good mood. I’ll just get my things and be right out.”
She knew not to admit just seeing his handsome face was enough to thrill her. She walked briskly to the back room to get her jacket and purse and was relieved when she didn’t even list to one side. Standing behind the counter wasn’t too bad. Any time she felt unsteady, she could just grab the edge.
When she returned he said, “I’m double-parked outside.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you had a car.”
“I don’t. It’s Dante’s.”
She followed him to the steps, and as he jogged down, she walked over to the handrail. He noticed she wasn’t beside him when he got to the bottom and turned.
Slapping his forehead, he said, “Sorry. I should have helped you.”
“No. I’ve got it.”
Just then, she stumbled.
He rushed over and caught her, even though she had a death grip on the railing and wouldn’t have hit the pavement.
“Damn,” she muttered.
“Don’t be mad at yourself. It’s not your fault. You can’t help it.”
She realized that Gabe had already given her a diagnosis in his head. “You can’t help it” or “it’s not your fault” meant there was some medical reason for her clumsiness.
She was relieved that he’d brought a car and she didn’t have to ride the subway to Brigham and Women’s Hospital. If it was crowded and she had to stand while compensating for shifting floors, she’d be in trouble.
The car ride seemed long and quiet. She tried to initiate conversation once and he told her he really had to concentrate. He hadn’t driven a car in several months…or maybe a year.
She didn’t know what to make of that. Maybe that’s all it was. Driving in Boston could be a nightmare even for commuters who did it every day. Or maybe he was avoiding conversation. The way they’d left things on the day after her birthday made her wonder. He was fine when talking about superficial things, like making plans to take her to this appointment, but he clammed up when she casually tried to bring up the topic of their relationship.
Please don’t be an asshole, Gabe. Don’t lose interest as soon as I put out and the chase is over. That’s what my stupid high school boyfriend did.
What chase? She suddenly realized because she was the one who had been chasing him, he’d never had the thrill of the chase at all. Well, that had to change. She wouldn’t chase him anymore. Let him come to her…but would he?
* * *
Gabe had regrets. Huge regrets. He was supposed to be looking after Parker’s little sister, protecting her from guys like him. Instead, he wound up being the guy who took advantage of her.
Well, that had to stop. She needed him as a friend, not a lover. Especially now.
“We’re almost there. Why don’t I drop you off at the front door and find a place to park? I’ll meet you in the waiting room.”
“No need,” she said. “I can handle it. Why don’t you go do something you feel like doing? I’ll text you when I’m done.”
Surprised, Gabe glanced over at her. She was staring straight ahead. Something had changed. “What’s wrong?”
She looked over at him. “Nothing.”
“I am not very good at woman-speak, but I’ve heard that nothing means something.”
She smiled and said, “Sometimes nothing means nothing. Seriously, there’s nothing to worry about. I want you to know that I can handle these things on my own. I’m sure there will be times when you can’t be there.”
