Page 102 of Pure Abandon

“Sailing?” I was impressed.

“It’s my first love.” Gabe pulled my hand and walked me over to, what I later learned, was a 1983 Catalina 25 Swing Keel. Gabe had sailing paraphernalia around his apartment. He mentioned he loved to sail, but this was taking it to a whole new level.

“I had to mow a lot of lawns to afford her.” He stepped onboard and held out a hand for me to join. “I just repainted the hull and the wood has been redone.” His eyes were reflected in the sapphire sail. He was beaming with pride.

“She’s beautiful. What’s her name?” I took a seat on the white leather cushion.

“Breaking Wind.” He cringed a little at the name. “She came with the name, and it’s bad luck to rename a boat.”

I laughed for a solid five minutes. He joined in after about two.

Gabe produced a white plastic bag I hadn’t noticed before. He must have carried it from the car. There was a brown bag inside, a yellow smiley face on the outside. Gabe noticed me eyeing up the bag and explained, “Chinese. You do like Chinese, don’t you?”

Chinese takeout on a sailboat didn’t sound right, but I nodded anyway. “And what would happen if I told you I didn’t like Chinese?”

“Then I’d say I just found your one flaw.”

I laughed and sat back watching him as the wind blew through his hair. His white windbreaker danced in the breeze as we left the dock and started toward the open water.

“So tell me, Gabriel Monroe. Why does a boy from sunny Florida who loves to sail want to go to New York and become a lawyer?”

Gabe’s eyebrows caved in as he took a moment to think about his answer. “I guess because I want more out of life than my parents were able to give me. They struggled, a lot. I don’t want that for my future family.”

Family. You never heard a guy talk about family. It was usually taboo.

“Why New York?”

“I got into NYU Law. Figured I go there for a few years and then head back home.” He turned his gaze from the ocean and back to me. “But I met this great girl from there so, if all goes well, I might stick around.”

I loved that he was already thinking of a future with me. I crawled over to him and took a seat beside him. Gabe’s arm swung around my back and he pulled me in.

“I’d like that.” I kissed him on the neck. “I’d like that a lot.”

“Okay, twenty questions. Me first. Favorite food?” he asked with his fingers twirling in my hair.

“Pizza. My turn. Favorite candy?”

“You.” He smiled and placed a tender kiss on my lips. “And Skittles. Favorite movie?”

“Field of Dreams.” It was my dad’s favorite.

“Me too! That and Braveheart. It’s a guy thing.”

It was his turn to ask a question again. “Worst trait?”

I had to think on that for a second. “Being complacent. When I get mad, I do this weird breathing thing. It works, but sometimes I worry I let things that bother me roll off my shoulders too easily. I wish I were more headstrong. Like you.”

Gabe laughed and shook his head. “That’s not your tell.”

I sat back and squinted my eyes at him. “What do you mean?”

“I can always tell when you’re angry or embarrassed or confused or, better yet, turned on…”

I hit his side. “Okay, I get it. I have a tell. What is it?”

Gabe raised a hand and messaged my earlobe. “Your ears turn red. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Your ears turn various shades from this adorable pink to neon red. They give away every emotion you have.”

“What color are they now?”