“I just want you to be happy, Gaby,” Jill said. “But for what it’s worth, I think you should still go along to dinner at Peter’s parents’ house on Thursday. It would be rude to turn down their invitation after already accepting it.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” Gaby said, unable to stop herself from clinging to the excuse that would mean one more evening with Peter, despite all the things she’d just said and all the arguments she’d made. “I’ll go to dinner and then… well, that will be that.”
Jill rose from the armchair and reached for her crutches, a wry smile on her face as if she’d understood something that remained completely elusive to Gaby.
“I think I’ll turn in for the night,” Jill said. “See you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Aunt Jill.”
After Jill shuffled out of the living room, Gaby sat for a long moment in the quiet room, thinking about what her aunt had just said. She thought about the upcoming family dinner at Peter’s parents’ house.
And she thought about Peter, even though she tried to push him out of her head.
Never before had she got so wrapped up in knots over a man.
There was something to learn from that, something… important.
Sure there is, and that lesson is that you’re making something out of nothing, Gaby told herself as she turned out the lights and went upstairs to bed.
15
Thursday evening arrivedand Gaby was styling her hair upstairs in the guest room when the doorbell rang. Quickly finishing her work with the brush, she sprayed some product around her head and hurried downstairs.
When she opened the door, Peter stood there smiling. Seeing him, and seeing that devastating smile of his, had a now predictable effect and sent butterflies fluttering inside her stomach.
“Ready for dinner at the mad house?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Gaby laughed. “I just need to grab my coat and bag. Come on in.”
Peter stepped into the hallway. “Where’s your Aunt Jill? I’ll say hello before we leave.”
“She’s gone out for the evening,” Gaby said, pulling on her coat. “A friend picked her up earlier for a meal at her house with a few other people she knows. After spending a week stuck inside, and time in the hospital too, she was looking forward to the change of scenery.”
“You know my parents would’ve been happy for her to join us for dinner. I’m sorry, I should’ve thought to invite her.”
“Don’t worry about that. While her knee is still tender and healing, she needs to be careful not to bump it or move around too fast or sit awkwardly and so on. A busy and unfamiliar house filled with excited kids probably isn’t the best place for her. Her friends know the score where her surgery is concerned and can make sure she’s comfortable.”
“Fair enough.”
Gaby finished buttoning her coat. “I have to grab something from the kitchen. I’ll be right back.”
In the kitchen, she picked up the gift bag containing the bottle of wine and chocolates she’d bought as a thank you to Peter’s parents for the dinner invitation and then paused for a second to gather her thoughts.
Did Peter have to look so good every time she saw him? And why did his smile turn her to mush so easily?
At least they wouldn’t be spending the evening alone. The presence of Peter’s entire family at the meal would, she hoped, defuse her racing emotions.
And once dinner was over… well, they’d go their separate ways again because that was always how this was going to end. She’d thank Peter for inviting her to spend time with his family, thank him for a wonderful meal and then she’d say goodbye and resist any temptation to ask to see him one more time before she left.
That was her plan and she’d stick to it.
With the gift bag in hand, Gaby rejoined Peter in the hallway.
“Ready to go?” he asked and opened the door.
“Ready.”
“I’m parked right outside. I know we’re only a couple of streets away from my parents’ house, but bringing the car means I can drive straight home afterwards once I’ve dropped you off.”
