Twenty
I woke up the next morning when I felt something stirring beside me. Slowly, my eyes opened and I turned on my side to see Gabe was just waking up. His eyes were still closed, but I could see them fluttering a little. He’d be awake in a second, but for that moment while he was still sleeping, I couldn’t help but watch him. His black hair was hanging messily on his forehead and his breathing was light and shallow. I found my fingertips brushing over his cheeks. He needed to shave. His skin was rough with stubble. I’d never seen him with anything but a clean-shaven face, but I had to admit, I liked seeing him like this. So natural. So raw. And if I was being honest with myself, I’d never seen him look so beautiful.
My touch must’ve woken him up because his eyelids finally opened. He seemed to be struggling with focusing on where he was, but then he looked at me and a smile formed on his face.
“Morning,” he said, his voice deep and husky and he sat up, clearing his throat. “How’d you sleep?”
“Really well,” I answered and when I looked into his dark eyes, I realized it was the first time I’d slept that good in as long as I could remember.
“I’m glad,” he said, the sweet smile still on his face as he looked down at me, pushing some hair behind my ear as his eyes moved over my face. “You’re really very pretty in the morning, Sam,” he said softly and I could feel myself blushing.
“You’re not too bad yourself,” I said, causing his smile to grow before he leaned in slowly, pushing his lips gently over mine for a few moments before pulling back.
“And as much as I’d like to stay, I have to get back to my place and get ready for work.” I’d almost forgotten he had to work and I couldn’t help the disappointment I felt, knowing he had to leave.
“Can I see you tonight?” I asked and he nodded, running his fingertips over my cheek.
“How ‘bout dinner and a movie at my place?”
“Sounds perfect,” I answered, reaching for his hand and holding it for a moment before pulling the covers back.
It was chilly outside of the blankets. I reached for a sweatshirt in my closet, pulling it over my head while Gabe slid on his shoes and put on his sweater and jacket. He reached for my hand again as we walked down the hallway and towards the door.
“I’ll call you tonight when I’m off,” he said quietly, doing his best not to wake my sister.
“I’m at O’Leary’s till seven, but I’m free after that,” I told him.
“Then I’ll see you then.”
Our eyes met again and he pulled me to him, holding me for a moment before pulling away and kissing me on the cheek, the feeling of his lips leaving a heaviness on my skin when they were gone. I found myself reaching up to where his kiss had just been, already anxious to see him again even though he was right in front of me.
“Thank you for last night,” I said softly. “Thank you for being so understanding.”
“Of course.” His voice was quiet and I could see the concern on his face that had been there since the moment we’d met. “I’m here for you, Sam. Whatever you need. I’m here.” He squeezed my hand and I swallowed through the forming lump in my throat as the goodness of this man seemed to envelop me.
“I know,” I whispered. Our eyes locked as he ran a hand over my hair before opening the door.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he said and I nodded. He kissed me once more on the cheek and then walked out. I couldn’t deny the ache in my heart watching him walk away. I shut the door and turned slowly to head back to my bedroom when I saw Rachel in the hallway, arms folded and a grin on her face.
“Was that Gabe I saw leaving just now?” She smirked at me, but she knew exactly who it’d been. She was just having fun teasing me.
“You know it was,” I said, smiling shyly back at my sister as I headed towards the kitchen, needing a drink before I went back to bed.
“Things are moving quicker than I thought,” she said as I poured myself a glass of orange juice.
“Not as fast as you think,” I said, eyeing her and she knew what I meant.
“So, you and Gabe? You didn’t…” she said, before I cut her off.
“No. He stayed because I asked him to. I didn’t want to be alone.” I met Rachel’s eyes and she knew what I was implying.
“He’s one of the good ones, Sam,” she began. “I wasn’t sure they even existed. I’d heard the legends, but I thought they were like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot…only a myth, but he’s real and I think he’s growing pretty fond of you, little sister.” The smile that curled up on her face was a playful one and I laughed quietly.
“I think so too,” I told her.
“I’m happy for you, Sam,” she said, still smiling, but a more serious one now. One of relief and gratitude. “You deserve this.”
She reached for me, resting her hand on my arm, our eyes meeting for a few seconds before she turned and headed back to bed, leaving me in the silence of the apartment with nothing but my thoughts and after a few moments of the quiet, I knew my sister was right, I did deserve this. I deserved a man like Gabe and I closed my eyes for a moment, picturing his face and all the kindness he’d shown me. Tonight couldn’t come fast enough.