Chapter thirteen
Veronica
Flirty transactions.
~ Three Days Later ~
“You’re not going to Noah and Gabe’s today?” Aubrey asks as she steps into her shoes and grabs her purse from the small rectangular table by the entrance.
“What’s the matter? Were you getting used to having the place to yourself?” I laugh from my spot on the couch before pausing the show I was watching. “And for your information, no. I thought a day off was much overdue.”
She giggles. “You have been spending a lot of time there, much more than what you originally agreed to.” There’s a hint of suspicion in her smirk, but she doesn’t voice it.
“Exactly why I’m staying home today, giving myself a bit of me time.”
The truth is, after what happened with the twins three days ago, I really needed a moment alone to think about everything. I also feel like something shifted in Gabriel’s mind after our kiss. He’s still being his usual flirty and charming self, but every once in a while he goes quiet whenever I’m giving Noah attention.
I’m not sure if it’s a jealousy thing, which would be weird since they’ve always shared girls and I shouldn’t be any different, but that’s what it feels like, and I hate it. I don’t want either of them to be jealous of each other; I certainly don’t want to cause a rift in their friendship when I still don’t know exactly what’s happening between us.
I also think Gabe knows I kissed Noah before him, which would explain the hint of jealousy he’s experiencing. I’m not sure if it’s Noah who told him or if he just figured it out, but I wish he wouldn’t feel this way. I don’t see it as who I kissed first or who I want more; it was just a spur-of-the-moment reaction with both.
When Gabe and I were in the home gym, I wanted him just as much as I wantedNoah in that parking lot. And if I wasn’t still so confused with my thoughts and feelings involving them, I would have let Gabriel have me entirely against that mirror.
“You’re heading to work already?” I frown. It’s only ten in the morning, and she isn’t supposed to start until three.
Aubrey sighs with her hand on the door handle. “Yup, one of the girls working the day shift claimed having a stomachache and left before even giving me time to find a replacement, so I need to go in.”
“Ugh, that sucks. Well, I hope it turns out to be a slow day and that you get to just sit back and relax. You deserve some time off, too.”
She laughs and pulls the door open. “Isn’t that why we’re going on vacation next week?”
“It is, but why not add an extra day to it?” I wink and blow her a kiss.
She smiles and shakes her head. “Well, you have fun on your day off. I’ll see you later. Love you.”
“Love you, too!” I call back right before she steps out and closes the door behind her.
I press play on the TV remote and sit back against the couch, trying to pay attention to the show playing, but my eyes keep drifting to my phone. I pick it up and tap into my messages with Gabe. Even though we have a group chat going with all three of us, I like sending each special little messages individually once in a while.
Me
What are you doing?
Husband #1
Just lying in bed in the spare room where the sheets still smell like you. It’s amazing, almost as if you were right here with me.
Me
Oh my God! No, you’re not, and no, they don’t! I washed those a few days ago.
Husband #1
Damn, you caught me.
Husband #1
The better question is, what are you doing texting me out of the blue? I thought you wanted the day off?
