“Well, I need you not in here, Gabe.”
“I want to see you. And the whole Missy thing?—”
I threw out my strongest voice. “No reason to explain anything. Whoever you did before me, and whoever you do after me, is none of my concern.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Stop, please.” Inhale. “We’re just a weekend hook-up.” Something twisted inside at the words I was slowly growing to hate as a lump formed in my throat. “Missy and Raquel are not a big deal. I could care less really.”
“I’m not leaving until I see you.”
“Well, I’m not opening the door so this should be an interesting standoff.”
He let out a loud breath. “I will take this door right off the hinges.”
I held my breath.
“Fern, I’m serious.” His voice had a little fire to it.
I decided to keep quiet. I didn’t want him to know he could turn me into a blubbering mess, and each word sent me closer.
“Damn it, let me in. I have never needed to see anyone in my life like I do you.”
Tick-tock silence.
I jumped when his fist hit the door before his footsteps faded down the stairs. I put my hands over my eyes. Apparently, I was shutting this thing down a day early. Sorry folks, the park is closed.
I jumped up when I heard a bang from outside. Likely two of the llamas had found true love and were having crazy animal sex behind the trashcan. Of course, I sadly moved to the window because some animal porn might lift my spirits. But guess what, there was no animal action going on outside, Gabe was on the last rung of a ladder before walking across the roof toward my window.
His eyes were dead cold serious. I’d never seen such an intense stare, and I couldn’t break the look. He lifted the window, and I didn’t know if I was scared or excited as he crawled inside. Gulp.
“When I say I need to see you, I will.” He took a step toward me. “I will claw my way to hell and back to get to you.”
“This was a weekend pass, and you are not the boss of me, Gabe.”
He took another step toward me, and I took one back. “I want to talk.”
“I have nothing to say.” I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to channel a badass that was not me at the moment.
“Well, I have something to say.” His eyes flashed.
“I don’t want to hear it. Just go away.”
“Missy was a friend with benefits situation last summer. She knew it, and that was that.”
“Clearly, that’s how you roll. No shock and awe here.” Ooh, that sounded too emotional. “I mean, that’s how I roll too. Yeah, I’ve had tons of friends with benefits situations myself.”
The left corner of his mouth turned up as he took a small step toward me. “Is that so?”
“Abso-freaking-lutely.”
“When? When was your latest friends with benefits thing?”
Oh shit. “Well, uh, on the plane home actually.” Of all the stupid lies I could conger up, this was the best I could do?
“On the plane?”
“Just you never mind. None of your business.” Heat slithered up my chest as he took a step forward, and I realized how utterly stupid I sounded. “But I assure you, it was hot. I mean, like super-duper hot.” Really?
