Meredith

The afternoon passes on the other side of the window while Gabe and I reminisce about our lives way back when. It’s dusk when I realize the time. I find myself feeling guilty for it, and for allowing the conversation to get so familiar. I firmly intended to, in no uncertain terms, clarify that we are not getting back together. Thing is, now all I can think about is his body spooning mine as we drift off to sleep, sweaty and exhausted. That would be the perfect end to this wonderful day. But I can’t let him see that he’s wearing me down. Not this easily.

“So? What do you think?”

The question brings me back to the conversation I've been ignoring. I turn my focus from the colorful evening sky back to Gabe, and try my best to stop thinking about how much I want to go to bed with the man. “Hmmmm?”

“Pretending not to hear me to buy time, huh?” Gabe smiles. “Okay. I’ll play along.” He clears his throat. “I asked if you wanted to get out of here and go back to my place.”

“Gabe.” I swat his hand. “Is that really where you think this conversation has been leading?”

Gabe presents his most innocent, puppy dog face. “What? There’s more than one bedroom. Why does it always have to be about sex with you?” Try as he might to hide it, that devilish smile is back. “You could think of it like you’re crashing with a friend.”

I know this man. I know the game he’s playing. And I have every intention of beating him at it. “Oh yeah? Like roommates?” The question is a trap and he’s going to fall right into it.

Gabe nods. “Sure. Like roommates.”

I bob my head. I’ve got you now. “Well. A roommate would be okay if I brought a guy home for the night. Are you saying that wouldn’t bother you?”

Gabe pauses as he carefully considers his options. Finally, his eyes light up. “Not if it was the right guy, I suppose.”

“The right guy? Who, if not me, would determine, whether or not this stranger is the right guy?”

Gabe turns back to me, drawing his hand to his chest. “Me, of course. No other man could ever hope to satisfy the strict qualifications of that responsibility.”

I roll my eyes. “I should be going. I feel so bad for the waitress, we’ve been here for hours.” I dig through my purse for cash. “She was great, but I think I owe her rent on top of a good tip.”

Gabe motions with his hand for me to stop digging. “I got this, Doll.” He retrieves a roll of cash from his front pocket, peels two twenties from the middle, and slides them under the salt shaker.

“Thanks.” I blush. “That’s very generous.”

Gabe places his hand on the small of my back as he walks me to my car. For the first time since approaching him at the wedding, there’s a silence between us. I look at the last slivers of light fading in the distance. Neither of us wants this to end because there’s no clear path to seeing each other again—it’s not like we're dating.

Gabe spent the afternoon asking for more, but I kept pushing him away. Am I hiding behind the mistakes of our past? I won't survive another heartbreak—lord knows I've had my share—but what if I'm wrong about him?

The thought tears at me, forcing me to relent. “Okay,” I say, turning back to him.

“Okay what, Doll?” Gabe looks at me. “You’ll stay at my place?” His voice jumps at least two octaves.

“Easy cowboy. One step at a time. Let’s start a little closer to the beginning.”

A crusty old pickup pulls into the spot next to my car, the headlights briefly illuminating Gabe. “I’m all in, love. But…so I’m clear. What are we talking about here?”

I am not prepared for this question. “Well…” What did you mean, chick? Why did you blurt that out? Quick. He’s waiting for an answer. “We started this off, whatever it is, by sleeping together. Maybe we bring it back a few paces, you know? Do it the right way. Why don’t we start by agreeing to see each other?”

“Hell yeah, sign me up.”

“Exclusively!” I blurt out.

“Of course, Doll,” Gabe says, sincerely. “Exclusively.” He steps forward, closing the gap between us and drawing me into him. “Thank you.” Gabe leans down and kisses the top of my head.

“For what?” I look up at him, angling my mouth closer to his. His stubble scrapes my cheek.

Gabe's gaze lingers on my mouth. “For keeping an open mind. ” He licks his lips and leans close. “Now, I’ll finally have the chance to prove the weight behind my words.” His peppermint breath warms my skin.

Gabe kisses me and the rest of the world falls away. Our past means nothing, our future even less. We only exist in this moment.

I breathe him in, his scent rushes through my body and awakens a part of me I closed off long ago. Gabe cups my face and I part my lips. Our tongues dance, the rhythm at once familiar and electrifying.

I shift and almost lose my balance, breaking the kiss. “I’m still a klutz. I guess some things never change.” I bury my head in his shoulder to hide my embarrassment. We stay like that for several minutes, Gabe’s arms wrapped around me while we stare out at the darkening sky.

Gabe sighs. “I’ve waited so long for this, but I better let you get home. Should I follow? Or just ride shotgun?”

I blink in surprise. “Wait, what? Why would you follow me home?”

“So we can share the good news.” Gabe steps back. “You know, with your folks.”

“Why don’t you leave the sharing of the news with my family to me—okay, big guy?”

“No problem. You tell your parents—that’s only right.” He leans forward and kisses me passionately. We say our goodbyes and just as I close my car door, Gabe calls out, “Yep. You tell your parents. And I’ll tell everyone else.”

Pleased with himself, he smiles and waves through the window before walking to his truck.

Heaven help me. What have I done?