"Shouldn't you be a little more protective of your future sister-in-law?" I ask instead. "She's pregnant and vulnerable. The last thing she needs is some loser making her life harder."
"That's true, but you're hardly some loser. You're a good guy and from what I know of her, she's a good person."
"She is. But I'm currently unemployed, out of commission for the foreseeable future, with two girls to provide for and a lot to figure out."
"You're on medical leave, not unemployed. And that cast will come off eventually. Once you go for the physicals, you'll have a better idea of what happens next," Gabe says. "Right now, all I'm hearing are excuses, and that's not like you."
I rub a hand over my face and groan, leaning my elbow along the window. "My so-called future is up in the air. I have no idea what's going to happen with Mads when—if—my sister comes back, and Dani— I have to protect my girls. I can't start something that blows up in my face and hurts them. They've been through too much already, and the last thing they need is another woman walking out of their lives, leaving them behind."
I know my words strike home when Gabe straightens in the seat. A slow nod comes after a long inhalation and exhale.
"Yeah. I get that. But Lindsey isn't like that."
"You've known her how long?"
Gabe winces, and this time I'm the one nodding.
"See? She's nice. She's capable and beautiful and smart, but it's too much of a risk, man. My girls come first. Dani comes first. I can't do something that'll hurt them."
"You don't know that it won't work."
"I don't know that it will, and Dani is already messed up because her mom's blown her off so many times. Besides, that's assuming Lindsey's even interested. She's got enough going on without throwing an instant family into the mix. That's the last thing she needs."
Gabe braces his arm atop the steering wheel, tapping his thumb against the top. "So what are you going to do?"
"Nothing. I'm going to keep my thoughts and hands to myself and do what's best for my girls and Lindsey."
I glance at Gabe and see the twinkle in his eyes. "What?"
He grabs the gear shift and finally puts the Jeep in Reverse.
"Nothing."
"You haven't held back so far. You've got something to say, so say it."
"Just thinking I'm going to enjoy the steak dinner I just won."
Gabe's amusement fills the air but the worst part?
I get the feeling he sees the very thing I'm still trying hard to deny.
Chapter
Nineteen
Lindsey
Later that Friday, I'm in birthday-party mode for Dani and Madi and thinking about how much easier it is to breathe with Kace near. Bad timing or not, that's the truth of it.
He's a friend, yes. But I refuse to lie to myself and say my feelings for him aren't becoming more. I've had to keep myself from reaching out to brush his hair into place. From turning a situation where I help him maneuver into a hug.
A kiss. What would it be like to kiss him?
Stop it, stop it, stop it, I order, forcing my wandering thoughts back to the task at hand.
Today's birthday party for the girls will be followed by Bronwyn's surprise bridal shower tomorrow evening—and then Dani's Bald Head Island trip on Sunday. I have a packed weekend ahead of me with Kace involved in nearly all of it, and I have to get my act together and nix the fantasies about Kace.
I spy the bookish wedding invitation posted on the fridge with a magnet and pause.
