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But we didn’t end up out on the street. Nor did we head to my place.

Instead, we were in the hallway of Bell’s Brews, right near the supply closet.

“I don’t want people watching what I’m about to do.”

“What are you—” This time, he kissed me, and there was nothing light about this. His lips crashed against mine, and I swore he was making up for lost time.

My heart skipped a beat in my chest and I wrapped my arms around his neck to keep him closer.

I’d kissed a lot of men in my time. I’d tried so hard to forget Gabriel.

This showed me it would always be impossible to.

Our lips slotted together as if they were made for one another. I’d always felt that way, but I tried to tell myself that it was teenage love clouding my vision.

Now I knew it wasn’t.

“This closet is locked,” Gabriel groaned into my lips.

“Fucking Mark,” I said. “Hang on.”

I separated from Gabriel only to go into Mark’s office. He had a terrible memory, and the combination was written on a sticky note on his desk.

“What are you doing?” I looked up to see that Gabriel had followed me.

“Getting us into that closet.” Now that I knew the numbers, I went back to the closet and got us in.

“It’s hot how smart you are.”

The compliment made my cheeks grow warm. Gabriel hardly ever complimented anyone. It was only ever me. “After⁠—”

I turned the same time he did, and both of us jumped when we saw a picture hanging from one of the shelves.

Not just any picture either.

Years ago, Hugh had sent a picture of his ass to the group when he had some sort of infection. It had scarred all of us.

I had it imprinted in my memory, but thought I’d never see it again with my own eyes.

I was very wrong.

“What the fuck?” Gabriel asked.

“Goddammit, Mark.” I covered my eyes. “He’s using this to ward off people.”

“That would certainly work.”

“Not on me.” I stepped into the supply closet to rip down the photo. “We’re safe now.”

I expected Gabriel to ask what that was from. This had happened when he wasn’t in town, but he must have remembered how weird Strawberry Springs could be. All he did was shake his head.

“Mark’s playing dirty.”

“I drew Hugh naked once. I’ll get him back for this.”

Gabriel’s eyebrows creased, but I pulled him back to me. The mayo and mustard bottles were going to get traumatized today, but I didn’t care.

I needed him.