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Gabe hangs back, leaning against the opposite counter.

I frown and wait until the double doors swing shut before I approach him.

“Gabe?” He’s hanging his head. I reach out to touch his arm. He flinches but doesn’t pull away. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he mutters, but he still won’t look at me.

“Sounds like something to me.”

He looks up at me, brown eyes fathomless. My breath catches in my throat.

“I’m not like Cole and Marcus,” he mumbles, so low I can barely make him out. “I didn’t set out to…”

He pauses, drawing in a ragged breath and looking away again.

My heart aches for him. I reach out and cup his cheek with one hand.

“How long since you lost her?”

His eyes snap to mine and they’re wet.

“Five years.”

I nod slowly, my throat feeling thick.

“You’re not betraying her, you know.”

Gabe makes a choked sound in the back of his throat.

“I know. I know,” he mutters, like he’s trying to convince himself. “I just didn’t expect to feel like this.”

“Like what?” I ask softly.

He turns his face into my hand.

“Like this could be something real.”

I go very still.

Do they all feel that way? My heart pounds.

“And what if it is real?” I ask softly.

Gabe’s deep brown eyes search my face.

“I don’t know.”

I slowly lower my hand from his face.

“Well, whatever it is, I want it.”

Gabe blinks at me. “What?”

“I want it. Want you.”

Them too, I think but don’t say. Right now this is about Gabe.

But I can’t promise Gabe forever.