Chapter 23

Skipping work is a hell of a lot of fun. I’ve never taken a day off like this. It’s rare that I’ll get sick and have to close the shop, and it was also a special circumstance when I took off work for the convention. But skipping work to hang out with a guy? That’s a new one for me. I think Gabe and I are feeling the same way, that if we leave the other one, even for an hour, then we might not see each other again. I didn’t want to leave after our date last night, and I don’t want to leave him now. I know most couples get that puppy love phase of a new relationship where they like hanging out, but this feels like it’s puppy love on steroids.

Gabe is gorgeous and amazing and I’m so glad he’s finally mine. When I’d texted him a picture of us so he could get my number, I’d had two new messages from Lee. I feel awful for ignoring them, but I didn’t want to deal with whatever the texts said. He still thinks he has a chance with me, and he totally doesn’t. Even if Gabe had never surprised me yesterday, Lee and I wouldn’t work out. We just don’t click.

I’ll have to read his messages eventually and then find a nice way to let him down. But I don’t want to think about that right now.

Gabe returns from brushing his teeth and I’m glad that I brushed mine as soon as I woke up this morning. It had been surreal waking up next to a guy. I’ve spent all of my life sleeping alone, and this was a new experience. But it was a good one. In fact, I think I want to wake up next to Gabe much more than I want to wake up alone. We’ve only been together one day so it’s not like I can declare that we should move into together, but I really hope that’s where this relationship is headed.

I’m sipping my coffee when Gabe walks up and puts his arms around me. “You have extremely minty toothpaste,” he says, kissing my neck.

I laugh. “Is that a complement or a complaint?”

“I like it. It’s like chewing minty gum instead of brushing your teeth.” He grabs my hips and turns me around so that I’m facing him. I set my coffee on the counter so I don’t spill it. “And the best part is …” he says, lowering his forehead to mine. “Now we get to make out.”

“I’m going to taste like coffee,” I warn him.

“Mmm, coffee breath,” he whispers playfully just before he kisses me.

And then we’re at it again. Our lips, tongues, hands, all melding together into one steamy make out session. I revel in the feel of his body pressed against mine, the lingering smell of his cologne from last night and his minty fresh breath. He lifts me up and sets me on the countertop while we kiss. I can’t help but laugh because it’s all so fast and so passionate and crazy. I can’t believe this is my life.

I hold onto him and wrap my legs around his waist while we make out. Even sitting on the counter, I’m still not as tall as he is, but I don’t have to tilt my head as much to meet his lips.

Eventually, we pull apart, but Gabe’s arms are still wrapped around me, and my hands are still holding onto his neck.

“So what’s the plan for today?” Gabe says.

I shrug. “I played hooky at work today so I’m all yours. The weather is nice, so we could go do something?”

“Sounds fun,” he says. “I was thinking we could run by my apartment so I could shower and change clothes.”

“You could borrow some of my clothes,” I say with a goofy grin. “I think you’d look amazing in one of my sundresses.”

“Ooh,” he says, as if he’s considering it. “But then I’d get weird tan lines …”

“Damn,” I say. We both laugh.

My phone buzzes from its place on the counter, and for a second I worry it’s Lee again. But I can see the phone screen from here and it’s Livi. I pick it up and read her message.

Livi: Enjoying your day off? You better tell me ALL. THE. DETAILS. Love you!

I blush and turn off the phone screen before I have to see Lee’s unanswered texts.

“Everything okay at work?” Gabe asks.

I nod. “It’s just Livi being Livi.” I slide off the counter. “Okay, so, your place?”

He nods. “I am eighty percent sure my apartment isn’t a filthy embarrassing bachelor pad, but I can’t promise you for sure.”

I laugh, remembering how I was nervous to bring him home to my place last night without being sure it was clean first. I lucked out, but I’m not about to tell him that. “Hey now,” I say. “You better not be some gross slob. You’re already making me fall for you so I don’t want to have to dump your ass if I find out you’re some kind of hoarder or something.”

“Totally not a hoarder,” he says. “All those piles of garbage were there in my apartment before I moved in, I swear.”

I roll my eyes and rinse out my empty coffee cup. “Let me get dressed and then we can go.”

“Aren’t you already dressed?” he asks.

My lips curl in disgust. “Ew, no. I’m in leggings! I cannot be seen like this in public.”

“Why not?” he says, his voice deep. He walks up and cups my butt in his hands, pulling my hips toward his in a way that makes my whole body tingle with desire. “You look sexy as hell in these leggings.”

I can feel myself blushing. “I’m not wearing them outside of this apartment. Only you get to see all of this.”

I stop myself before adding “fat” to the end of that sentence. Many girls can get away with leggings and tight tank tops around town, but I can’t.

Gabe squeezes my ass appreciatively. “Mmm, I like all of this,” he whispers just before kissing the skin below my ear.

“Well, there’s more where that came from,” I say, giving him a quick kiss. Then I rush off to my closet and pull on some jeans that are light blue with some rugged holes cut in the front. I know they make my ass look good, so hopefully Gabe will appreciate that. I leave the tank top on because it’s hot outside, and then I grab my sunglasses and my purse.

“Maybe we should get my car first,” I say, noticing my car keys hanging on the wall, even though I left my car at the bakery last night.

“Nope,” he says, shaking his head. “I’m spending the day with you again, so we’ll get it later.”

Every time Gabe smiles at me, a piece of my heart lights up brighter than I ever thought it could. I am filled to the brim with feelings for this guy, and I can’t believe all of this is happening. The last few weeks have been a total blur. First, I met him in Phoenix and had an amazing night with him, then I suffered for so many long days and nights wishing I could have him back again.

And now he’s here.

And he’s in my apartment, and he kisses me better than any guy ever has.

And, well, he does everything else better than any guy ever has.

He doesn’t care that I’ve got a little extra weight around my hips and thighs. He doesn’t care that I’m probably the most boring girl on the planet. He still looks at me like he likes what he sees. As we step out of my apartment and into the shining sun that promises another beautifully perfect day, I can’t help but think one thing.

How did I get so damn lucky?