VICTORIA WAS INCREDIBLY happy with how the meetings were progressing. Their third meeting had come to a close, and everyone was doing wonderfully. Jimmy no longer came in smelling of alcohol, and while his hair remained disheveled, his clothing was clearly being washed again.

Victoria had assigned individualized home assignments to each of her attendees, and Jimmy’s had been a simple exercise in self-care. It was exciting to see how far the simple tasks had taken him.

The others were also doing great, though Greg seemed to want to give her a run for her money. Nevertheless, things were going well. She was living out her dream and she could not be happier.

As her clients shuffled out, she smelled the strong masculine smell of Gabe fill the room. She inhaled deeply, enjoying every second of it before looking up at him.

“Mikey! We still good for lunch today?” he asked Michael.

“Yep!” Michael responded energetically. “I’m starving.”

Victoria smiled. Seeing Gabe interact with Michael warmed her heart.

“Meet me by my car, I need to talk to the doctor,” Gabe winked and tossed Michael the keys. Michael smiled, caught them, and headed out the door.

Gabe shut the door behind him and sauntered over to Victoria’s desk. He wore a navy blue t-shirt that clung to his defined muscles, and light blue jeans with a tear at the knee. “Hey there, pretty lady.”

Victoria felt blood rush to her cheeks. “Hey, you,” she smirked back.

“I want to see you tonight,” he said, his eyes falling over her body as he placed a hand on her hip.

“I don’t know,” Victoria started, but Gabe cut her off.

“I can’t take no for an answer,” he smiled, brushing his fingers through her hair. “I’m going to order pizza, get my speakers out, light some candles. All I need is you.”

Victoria’s heart was melting. She had to mentally remind herself that this was purely physical, nothing else. But damn it, it felt like so much more.

“I’m sorry, Gabe, I just—”

“Okay, I lied about the candles. Jason will be there. We’ll all go out somewhere. Just friends,” he cut in.

Victoria stared up at him. Just friends. She could do that.

“Okay,” she gave in.

Gabe gave a huge smile and pressed a kiss to her hand. He pulled back and walked towards the door, and Victoria had to place a hand on her desk to keep herself steady. Gabe’s kisses still made her head spin.

“I’ll see you tonight, beautiful!” he called.

“See you tonight,” she smiled back.

Victoria watched him go and began giving herself a mental lecture. She could not let her emotions get involved. Not again, not with Gabe. They’d spent a wonderful night together, yes, but it was purely physical, and she had to remember that. She forced out a deep breath and chewed on her lower lip.

The buzz of her phone pulled her from her thoughts, reminding her that she had a lunch date with her and Amy’s old friend from high school, Kara. She started sorting out her papers and making sure everything was in order.

She wasn’t too keen on shopping, but now she was thankful her and Kara would be heading down to the mall. It gave her the perfect opportunity to find a cute outfit to wear later.

 

***

 

THE FOOD COURT WAS crowded as hell, people buzzing this way and that, a constant hum of voices melting together into one. Gabe was getting a headache, but this was what Michael wanted to do, and so he’d suffer for an hour.

He decided to keep things simple and get a sub. Michael had some Chinese and a slice of pizza. Talk about a stomach ache. But, then again, Gabe ate the same garbage when he was nineteen.

“I still can’t believe you stopped going to those meetings,” Michael said before shoving a forkful of rice into his mouth. “Tricked me,” he laughed, his mouth full.

“It couldn’t be helped,” Gabe smiled wickedly, lifting his eyebrows.

“Your work didn’t seem to interfere today, though.”

Oops. “Yeah, I got out early.”

“What’d you have to talk to Victoria about, anyway?” Michael asked, switching over to his pizza.

“I can’t tell you. Doctor patient confidentiality.”

“Pretty sure that’s not how that works,” mocked Michael.

“Oh no, it totally is,” Gabe winked. “I was just asking her about private sessions.”

He wasn’t totally lying. Gabe smiled at the remark. He was glad to be taking the kid out to lunch, but he couldn’t stop fantasizing about his night with Victoria. It had been over two weeks since he’d seen her, but they’d kept in touch despite their busy work schedules. And now, tonight, they’d be hanging out… as friends. Gabe finally had the chance to fix all the damage he’d done seven years ago with Victoria. And, hell, if the night ended up with her in his bed? He’d be pretty fucking thrilled, to say the least.

Three girls who appeared to be in their early twenties walked past the table, making eye contact with Gabe and then giggling amongst each other. Gabe shook his head and took a bite from his sub.

“I bet you’ve gotten a lot of girls, huh?” Michael asked.

“Too many,” Gabe laughed. “Now that I’m old, I realize I probably should’ve just stuck to one.”

“No way, man,” Michael shook his head from side to side and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Not my style.”

“You’re young.” Gabe thought about Victoria. “Trust me, kid. You’ll see.”

Michael smiled and nodded, returning his attention to his food. Mid-bite, the kid’s eyes widened.

“Hey, I see a few friends. I’ll be right back!”

Gabe turned to see what he was looking at, and saw three boys around Michael’s age and two girls with far-too-tight clothing on. Gabe chuckled and nodded as Michael jogged towards them.

When Gabe turned around, he was surprised to see two girls heading his way. In front, a short brunette with a tight body and a huge smile on her face. But Gabe only cared about the stunning blonde trudging along behind her.

He stood to greet them.

The brunette threw her arms around Gabe, who stood there for a moment before returning the hug. She excitedly said his name, but he could not for the life of him figure out who she was. Pulling back, Gabe noted that she left a hand on his chest.

“It’s Kara. Don’t you remember?” Kara. Shit. Amy’s old friend from high school. Right.

“Hey, Kara. Sorry, long time no see.” Gabe nodded at her and then moved away from her touch, walking over to Victoria, wrapping his arms around her waist and squeezing her as tightly as he could without hurting her.

She felt so fragile in his arms. Gabe had to remind himself of where he was before he got too far ahead of himself. God, he couldn’t wait for tonight. He would kill to have Victoria in his house, his bed.

That seemed like a problem, but right now, it was one he was happy to have.

 

***

 

 

WHEN VICTORIA SAW KARA wrap herself around Gabe, she wanted to vomit. The waves of jealousy that coursed through her were unexpected, though they shouldn’t have been. Victoria knew that she couldn’t truly get over Gabe, not even after seven years. He still held a power over her that she just couldn’t escape.

She made a mistake getting involved again. She should’ve known Gabe wouldn’t change. Kara’s hand lingered on his chest and she wanted to slap it away from him.

But then Gabe pulled away, staring at Victoria and walking towards her until she was in his arms. He squeezed her tightly and lifted her off the ground. Victoria could barely breathe, but she loved the feel of his arms around her. She returned the hug, smiling and letting all feelings of worry and doubt wash away.

When Gabe dropped her back to the ground and pulled away, he kept a hand on her lower back, and it caused the butterflies in Victoria’s stomach to flutter around furiously.

“What are you ladies doing here?” he asked.

“I’m helping Victoria pick out an outfit!” Kara popped in. “Apparently, she has a hot date tonight.”

Victoria cringed. Gabe smirked the biggest damn smirk she’d ever seen. Cocky bastard.

“Oh, is that so, Victoria?” he teased. “You have a hot date?”

He stared at her intensely and she wanted to curl into a ball and hide. “I think I’m going to cancel it,” she shrugged.

Alarm spread across Gabe’s face for a split second, and then he returned to his schooled expression. “I wouldn’t do that. Give the guy a chance. I bet he likes you.”

Victoria blushed, again.

“We’ll see how I feel,” she smiled.

Gabe chuckled and shook his head, looking to the floor and giving Victoria’s hip a squeeze before letting go. “You have a fun time, ladies,” he said, pulling away. “Oh, and Vic! You enjoy that date, alright?” He winked and turned away from them.

Victoria’s heart was racing, but she tried to keep her cool in front of Kara. Damn him!

“Let’s go!” she said quickly to her friend, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the escalator.

As they rode down the escalator and towards the stores, Victoria couldn’t help but smile at the gesture Gabe had made. It made her feel important to him, and that was more than she’d ever felt before.

“So, Gabe Matthews, huh?” Kara asked.

“What?” Victoria responded, pulled from her thoughts.

“I saw the way you looked at each other,” Kara laughed. “I knew we always joked about you having a crush on Amy’s older brother, but I never knew it was serious!”

“It’s not!” Victoria started.

“Mhm,” muttered Kara. “Whatever.” She gave Victoria a wink, and Victoria let out a sigh.

Kara was a sweet girl, someone her and Amy had spent many late nights with. It was hard to believe Amy was gone now, but Victoria was glad to still have Kara as a friend. She’d lost touch with everyone after her move, so it felt good to have someone that was still there for her.

She had to drop the subject of Gabe.

“So what am I wearing tonight?” she asked Kara.

Kara smiled. “I have the perfect outfit for you!”

She was so much like Amy.

Victoria smiled and nodded, allowing Kara to link arms with her and drag her from store to store. She had better look good for her evening out.

 

***

 

 

GABE LEANED INTO THE cushioned booth, rubbing a hand over his thigh and wondering where Victoria and Jason were. He’d offered to get a table for the three of them, but his plans certainly didn’t involve sitting here alone for twenty fucking minutes.

Releasing a breath of air and tilting his head back, Gabe’s fingers tightened into a fist. He looked back toward the entrance, and suddenly, all tension left his body.

Victoria wore a long-sleeved black shirt that went all the way up to her neck, and a black pleated skirt held around her waist by an oversized black belt. The skirt ended high on her thighs, and her legs were completely bare down to the flats she wore on her feet. He’d never seen someone look so damn adorable.

Gabe got up from his seat to greet her. He was pleasantly surprised when she rose onto her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. He squeezed her waist and buried his face in those long blonde waves. She smelled like lavender. Sweet, sweet lavender.

He could feel his body reacting to her, fucking instantly, and he knew he needed to dial it back. As much as he’d like to throw her on that table and have his way with her, this wasn’t exactly the time or the place. Plus, they said they were going to be friends. That’s what this was about. Friendship. Fixing things. Undoing all the damage.

“So, uh, am I interrupting something?” the words shocked Gabe from his thoughts.

It must’ve done the same to Victoria, because she jumped  and pulled from Gabe. Despite pulling back from the hug to face the direction the voice was coming from, she stayed beneath Gabe’s arm, placing a hand on his chest. Gabe smirked.

Jason.

“What’s up, buddy?” Gabe smiled.

Victoria pulled away from him, and Gabe took the opportunity to greet his friend. Jason was the same height as Gabe, the same build. Had they been friends when they were younger, they would’ve been some team. Mothers would’ve had to hide their daughters… and themselves. Gabe couldn’t care less about things like that, now. It must’ve been a part of growing older.

Or something else… Gabe thought to himself, becoming aware again of the warm presence just behind him.

Victoria moved forward, hugging Jason before turning and sliding into the booth. Gabe took advantage and slid in next to her, and Jason across from them. He felt a wave of possessiveness run through him, but he quickly pushed it down. They were friends. All three of them.

Friends.

 

***

 

AFTER EATING SO MANY appetizers she thought she might burst, Victoria settled into her seat, picking pieces off the napkin in her hand as she listened to Gabe and Jason banter with each other. Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but it was such a pleasant pain.

So this is what it’s like to be friends with Gabe…

Victoria had always wondered. She’d been close with his family, yes, but he wasn’t all that close with them, and she’d always wondered what it was like to be in the inner circle of Gabe Matthews.

She felt like she was flying. He was smooth and quick, witty and charming; Victoria stared at him and understood how both men and women easily got sucked into his personality. Gabe was so filled with life, he just oozed it, and everyone around him swam closer to try and soak some of it up.

It was no wonder Gabe had as many problems as he did.

The most charming and upbeat people always came with the most damage, somehow.

“Can I get you guys anything else?” smiled the waitress. She was tall for a girl, with bleached blonde hair and pretty green eyes. Jason seemed to take notice of her quite quickly.

“You guys ready to head out of here?” Jason asked.

“Ye-” Victoria started.

“Let’s all go back to my place. Keep this party going.”

“Gabe—” Victoria tried again.

“The lady and I will have your triple chocolate cheesecake,” he said to the waitress, who nodded and started writing.

“Gabe, really, I couldn’t eat any more if I tried.”

“Sorry, ma’am, could you make it to go?” he just kept looking at the waitress.

“You got it, hun,” she smiled. “And you, love?”

“I’m good. Thanks,” Jason nodded at her.

“Gabe, I’m seriously stuffed.”

“That’s why I got it to go, silly. It’s for later,” he winked.

“I’m out, bud. Seeing the family tomorrow,” Jason said quickly.

“You sure, man?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. I’m calling it a night.” Jason stood from his seat, pulling out his wallet and dropping a twenty on the table. “I’ll see you guys soon?”

“Yes!” Victoria said, leaning forward to give Jason a quick hug.

“See you, buddy,” Gabe said.

Jason nodded and headed towards the door. Victoria suddenly became hyper-aware of how close Gabe had gotten to her. She could feel the heat radiating off of his body, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

“So, Vic. My place?” he smiled that wicked smile of his.

“I really shouldn’t,” she started.

“Pretty please?”

Victoria stared at him, his perfect green eyes and hard features. She looked at the bit of hair falling over his forehead and thought about knotting her hands in it. His lips… How on earth could she ever resist him? It simply wasn’t possible.

“Okay. Fine. But don’t make me eat anything else!” she ordered.

“No promises,” Gabe smirked.

Victoria giggled.

What was she doing?