Totally fine.
***
“’Bout time you called me back,” my brother said when he answered his phone later that afternoon.
I’d just wrapped up my last client, but Mal had texted me multiple times during the day to freaking call him already. It’s not like I was avoiding him, but I’d been busy. With work.
“I had clients,” I huffed. “Some of us are not on vacation.”
“I can’t believe we’re flying home tomorrow afternoon. I’m not ready to leave paradise,” he grumbled.
“It looks like it’s been amazing.”
“Stop stalling and fill me in on just how serious you are about that goalie.”
“Don’t you have a mai tai to get to? Or yoga on the beach or something?”
“Rick is taking a surfing lesson right now, but I stayed back just to talk to my favorite sister.”
I could easily picture the exasperating smile on his face.
“I’m your only sister,” I grumbled.
“So, tell me all about Gabriel Tucker. Seems like it’s more serious than you let on the last time I actually got you on the phone.”
“That was two days ago. And I gave you the basics. You make it sound like we haven’t communicated in ages.”
“Whatever. At least he’s still better than Rog the prick, right? Woof, the bar was really on the floor with that guy.”
“Rude. And Roger was nice at first. And charming.” I sighed, annoyed with myself that I was defending him. Except I wasn’t, I was defending my judgment.
Ugh, it was irritating.
“And now we’re done with him and good riddance,” Mal said.
I hadn’t given my brother too many details about my breakup and Roger not moving on, both because I’d been embarrassed that I’d fallen for a guy like that and because I didn’t want Mal to worry about me. I was going to fix this and everything would be fine.
“So, Gabe. Tell me everything. He makes you happy, right?”
That kiss last night had made me more than happy. Shit. I shouldn’t have gotten so into it, but he’d kissed and I’d melted and never wanted it to end. The catcalls from his teammates and the knowing looks from Harper and Josie when I’d come up for air had been awkward.
“Sounds like he does.” Mal’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“What? I didn’t even say anything.”
“You didn’t have to. You did this little sigh. What did you get up to last night? I’m so annoyed that I’m not there to see all of this in person. I don’t want to leave Hawaii, but I need to get home and check up on you.”
“I’m fine, and I promise you can meet him then. He’s a nice guy, funny and sweet.”
“Ooh, my sister is in L-O-V-E,” he sang.
“Shut up. It’s very new and we’re taking it slow.”
“Not based on your social media posts. Or his, actually. I immediately had to follow, naturally. You’re terrible at consistently posting.”
“Because I’m living my life and don’t need to document every second of it. Now, tell me how your trip is going.” I hoped that was enough to steer the discussion away from me and Gabe.
“Fine, fine. Keep your secrets for now. But I’ll sus them all out when I’m home.”
