DANI
“What can I get you?” a voice asked. I looked up to see the server’s attention on me.
Shit. I hadn’t even heard her come over and do introductions or specials or anything. I could still feel Gabe’s breath on my ear and my irritating brother was grinning at me.
Asshole.
“Pinot noir or something stronger?” my brother taunted. I swung my foot out, smiling when he grimaced after my pointy shoe met his shin. Served him right.
I ordered my wine, and after the waitress took everyone’s drink order and left, I returned to glare at Mal.
He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine, I’ll stop teasing and—” He paused, unable to finish, and laughed. “Please. We all know that’s a promise I can’t make. But in truth, you look really happy and as long as you’re both having fun and Roger is leavingyou alone, do what makes you happy. That’s all anyone should want, right?”
“Thanks. I’m just annoyed that Roger hasn’t moved on. That post with Dad was just bullshit.” I was still both furious and irritated with Roger. I held no beliefs that he truly loved me or anything like that, so what was his deal? Why couldn’t he just let our past relationship go?
“He’ll move on eventually,” Gabe said, his thumb running painstakingly slow up and down my thigh. I wasn’t even sure if he realized he was doing it, but my body was completely on fire. I wanted to just believe his words.
“And as long as you don’t hurt my sister,” Mal started, but Gabe cut him off.
“I would never. Dani is an amazing woman and a friend. I’m just glad she asked me to kiss her and not some other rando.”
Me too.
“She didn’t give me too many details about that night, but it’s completely out of character for her,” Mal said.
“And there’s nothing else to say,” I instantly replied.
“Fine, fine. So, Gabe. Three sisters, huh?” Mal asked, giving me a wink. He was lucky I loved him.
Our drinks arrived and we ordered our meals, then spent the next two hours just chatting and sharing stories. There was an ease with Gabe, who seemed to just fit in seamlessly. And I was a bit on edge by that, because it was too comforting. He’d described me as his friend and that’s all we should ever be after this nonsense with Roger was over. It wasn’t like I had any plans to end the benefits portion of our friendship as long as he was still game.
***
Before long, Gabe was picking up the check and we were heading out of the restaurant. We’d survived our double date. I mean, I hadn’t anticipated it being a disaster because who wouldn’t love Gabe? Like, love hanging out with him, of course.
Ugh. I was blaming my wishy-washy brain on his behavior scrambling it, with him easily coming to my defense and getting along with everyone, all while touching me both innocently and not so much. Nothing obvious or that Mal or anyone else could see, but the man always had a hand on my leg, an arm across the back of the booth,something.
And I was rattled.
“I like him,” Mal murmured as he hugged me. I focused on my brother and not my raging hormones.
Stupid one-thought-wonder hormones.
“Me too,” I said without thinking.
He pulled back, smiling. “Oh, I know. He’s good for you. That is, whenever you’re done with all this fake dating shit.”
“This is just a ruse, remember?” I whispered.
“Yeah, okay. You two are conning yourselves, because that man may say he’s your friend, but he’s just as smitten as you are.” Then he booped me on my nose. I arched away from him.
“Stop it. It’s not like that.”
“Whatever you want to tell yourself. Just don’t write this off, okay? I like this one. He seems genuine. I mean, the man covered up his idol’s number on his helmet after just a few words from you.”
I sighed. “I know.” I glanced over to see Gabe chatting with Rick. He’d purposely stepped aside so I could talk to Mal. The man was a walking green flag, and it was weird.
“I just want you to be happy, so stop talking to me and go home and bang his brains out. Can’t wait to see what dipshit says about the picture Gabe just posted. And in all seriousness,if Roger really becomes a problem, don’t hide that. I don’t trust him at all.”
