Lucy returned with an almond danish still warm from the oven and set it in front of him. “On the house. Because you’re dating my best friend, and I want to establish that I’m watching you.”
“Lucy.”
“What. I’m watching him.”
“We’re not dating.”
“You’re dating.”
“We had dinner once.”
“Twice, if you count the hot dog and the Thai place,” Gabriel added.
“That wasn’t a date.”
“What was it?” He let the question hang.
“Research. I always study a man before I commit.”
Gabriel’s voice dropped low. “I’ll keep that in mind.” It did things to her pulse.
Lucy looked between them. “You know what I love about this.”
“Enlighten me,” Tessa said.
“Two people who’ve spent their whole lives being careful, planning everything. And here you are, completely blindsided by each other.” She grinned. “It’s delicious.”
“We’re not blindsided.”
“Honey, he fought a billionaire over danish. You’re wearing mascara on a Monday. Neither of you is fooling anyone.”
Tessa opened her mouth, then closed it. There was no good defense for that one.
“That’s what I thought.” Lucy walked toward the kitchen and called back over her shoulder, “For the record? You’re both terrible at pretending you’re not already in over your heads.”
The kitchen door swung shut behind her.
Gabriel picked up his danish and took a bite. He set it down. His hand stayed on the wood, long fingers spread flat.
“She doesn’t miss much.”
“She misses nothing.”
“I respect that.”
“You should.”
“So.” Tessa met his eyes. “A meeting in Park Slope on a Monday morning at eight thirty.”
“Yes.”
“You remembered I’m here on Mondays.”
“I remembered.”
“From three weeks ago, when you showed up with Knox.”
“It mattered.”
