“And you just let it go?”
“She’d just let me in her house, I didn’t want to rock the boat.”
“So instead, you torpedoed it and left it sinking.”
I didn’t like the analogy but couldn’t deny it.
“Pretty much.”
“You need to fix this, Gabe. Now.”
“I told her I’d call her tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow isn’t soon enough. She’ll have all night to think about what a flake you are. And how you bailed on her again, just like before.”
“I know you’re right. But I feel like an ass.”
“Youarean ass. But you’ll be an even bigger one if you don’t do something about itnow.”
I took another pull of beer, set down my half-empty glass, and Derrick promptly took it away and dumped the contents in the sink.
“Go!”
I slid off the barstool, still undecided about what to do but it was obvious I was no longer welcome at Flannigan’s.
I’d almost reached the door when my brother’s voice rang out, “And buy her some flowers!”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Gabe
Yes, I did stop and buy flowers. A colorful bouquet of purple lilies, yellow tulips, and pink roses that had caught my eye the minute I walked into the flower shop five minutes before they closed.
I wasn’t sure why I was going back to Gretchen’s. It’s not like she and I were going to date.
Because I like her and don’t want her to think I’m an asshole.
And I wanted her to know my bolting—twice—had nothing to do with her or Jake. It was my own hangup.
One I obviously wasn’t going to get over anytime soon, in spite of going back to my therapist.
I pulled into her drive and almost backed out. What if she slammed the door in my face? I’d deserve it.
Echoing my brother’s earlier sentiments, I murmured out loud, “Man the fuck up, Gabe,” and put the truck in park. Before I got out though, I realized Jake was probably already in bed. I didn’t want to ring the doorbell and wake him up, so I sent her a text as I walked to the door.
Me: Hey… I’m at your front door. Can we talk?
If she didn’t respond, I’d leave the flowers on her doorstep and try texting again tomorrow.
The blue light on the doorbell camera lit up and her voice came over the speaker.
“What is there to talk about, Gabe?”
I shuffled my feet, uncomfortable that she was watching me, but I couldn’t see her.
“Look, I need to explain why I left so abruptly. And we still need to discuss my proposition about the cabinets.”
“There’s nothing to expla—”
