I beam at Gabe, rising to tiptoes to kiss him full on the lips, with a loud smack. “Thank you. You’re the best.”
He grips my waist tight, squeezing me. “You too.”
I point over his shoulder. “That redhead has her eye on you.”
He grins, swinging me around and glancing over my head, which isn’t hard, considering my size. “That she does.”
I laugh. “She’s probably already envisioning all the ginger babies you’d have.”
He shudders. “Bite your tongue, woman.”
Neither of us is worried that people might think we’re together, because everyone knows we’re not. And where Gabe is concerned, nothing but a wedding ring on his finger would stem the flow of available females. Probably not even then.
Off to the side of Gabe’s left shoulder, a flash catches my eye, and I crane my neck around his broad chest, faltering when I see Caden in my empty spot at the bar.
I lose my step completely, sucking in my breath, unable to help it.
Gabe smooths a palm over my back. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I glance around and realize Gwen and Jackson are here too. The three of them must have come together.Why? Someone, somewhere, must hate me, because every time I try to go out to forget about Caden, he shows up.
I mean, I guess it’s not a total stretch, considering there aren’t many options for a raucous Friday night out. But I want to escape him, and it’s impossible!
“So, it’s like that, is it?” Gabe’s voice rips me from the sight.
My brow furrows, and I feign ignorance. “What do you mean?”
He grins down at me. “You’ve got the hots for him.”
I shake my head. “I do not!”
Under Gabe’s scrutiny, I feel a flush bloom hot on my cheeks.
He laughs. “Oh my God, you do.”
“Shut up. I don’t.” Thankfully the song changes to something slow and moody, and I take the opportunity to blot Caden Landry from my vision. I snuggle in close to Gabe, resting my head on his broad, capable chest and closing my eyes.
“This is adorable. You have a crush.”
I smack his chest, keeping my lids shut tight. “Fuck off.”
He traces the path of my spine with his fingers. “Trying to make him jealous, I see.”
No, I’m not. Everyone knows Gabe and I are nothing but friends. I just don’t want to look at Caden for fear I’ll be unable to stop staring.
I already know he changed into fresh jeans and a black knit shirt, the bands tight over his muscled biceps. He’s so damn gorgeous, and it won’t be long until the girls flock to him. He’s new and exciting in a town where not much changes. I can’t blame them; I just don’t want to bear witness to it.
As Scarlett O’Hara would say, with God as my witness, next Friday I am staying locked in my room.
Gabe plays with the ends of my hair, leaning in closer. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
My irritating attraction will never be voiced out loud, to anyone, regardless of how close I am to them. “I’ve got no secrets to tell.”
Gabe kisses the top of my head. “Kit-Cat, you’re a vault just waiting for the right man to come along and crack it open.”
Maybe there’s truth to that, but Caden Landry is not that man and never will be.
Caden