To give the story credibility, Maggie and Carrie are walking up to my apartment with us. Gabriel almost stayed in the car but changed his mind at the last minute. I don’t know why. Ben was right when he warned me that his cousin was volatile. Gabriel runs so hot and cold my skin doesn’t know if it’s burned or frozen.

The girlfriends are laughing like the fake party is still going on. I’m smiling, trying to act the part, but I can’t stop checking in on Gabriel. Every time I look back at him he’s staring at me with this expression I can’t understand. On the elevator he even reached out and caressed my arm, then shoved his hands in his pockets like he hadn’t meant to do that. Or like it was an obligation. Which just feels awful.

“This is me on the right,” I say, pointing my chin at it as I dig for my keys. “Can’t believe I fit this much stuff into such a tiny bag. Here they are.”

Sliding the key in I hold my breath preparing to lie to my brother.

Our modestly decorated living room is dark, as is the kitchen, so the girlfriends quiet with some overacted, “Shhhhhh,” like they’re drunk.

They’re enjoying this.

Unlike me.

I’m about to tell them that they can go, that he’s asleep so there’s no need to explain my outfit or the late hour. But then I see that the door to his bedroom is open. My head cocks left as I walk down the hall, leaving them forgotten behind me as my heart begins to pound.

He has to be home. It’s Thursday and his favorite television shows are on tonight.

Not only that but he has no money to go out.

I tentatively say, “Bobby?” while pushing the door open wider.

His bed is as empty as the room.

My shoulders slump as I lean against the wall, groaning, “Oh no!”

Gabriel’s voice jolts my body into action. “He’s not here?”

Turning around I see him in the doorframe to my brother’s room. “Oh! You scared me. Uh, I guess he went to his friend’s house. They…play games. It runs late sometimes,” I explain with a forced smile.

“Video games?”

“Something like that.”

Gabriel raises his voice to tell the girlfriends, “Coast is clear. Stop acting like you’re wasted.” There’s a smile in his voice.

I overhear Maggie telling Carrie, “You were good!”

“You think so? I thought the stumble as we walked in felt real.”

“It was very convincing. I reached out for you.”

“I know! You weren’t just pretending?”

“No, I thought you were really falling.”

Gabriel and I are staring at each other, listening to them.

Amused he shakes his head.

All I want to do is check my jewelry box to make sure everything is still there.

“So this is where you live?” He walks into the hall like he’s going to explore my room next.

I run in front of him. “Don’t go in there. It’s a mess.”

Maggie calls out, “Gabriel, I need to get home.”

I think she did that to save me. Gay or straight, no woman wants someone we’re attracted to in our bedrooms until we’re damn ready.

He glances to a print of Hawaii on the wall. “This yours?”

“Look,” I sigh, glancing to the tattered edges of my beach poster. “I know this dinky apartment is laughable compared to wherever you must live. So let’s not do this and just say goodnight. I’m very tired.”

He frowns, sexy hair falling over his kaleidoscope eyes. “You’re funny, Paige. You’re trying to get rid of me.”

“Am I the first girl to do that?” I chuckle, joking.

With total seriousness he says, “Yes,” and holds my look before he turns and strolls out of my apartment. Maggie and Carrie follow him, and they send awkward waves my way.

As the door’s about to close, Maggie sticks her curly head back in. “You’re still coming to the concert?”

God, I forget all about it.

“I don’t know,” I admit.

She frowns. “Goodnight Paige.”

The closing click of the door behind her is the loneliest sound I’ve ever heard.

I run into my room, intent on screaming and crying my heart out if I find even one gold necklace missing. I nearly break the hinges as I open my beloved jewelry box. Rifling through it my heart is slamming. But everything’s here. Even the box with the tiny emeralds Grandma gave me so that I might make earrings out of them one day. Together they’re smaller than half an eraser so I don’t know if they have any value, but I bet Bobby would know.

And yet…they’re here.

In confusion I put the jewelry box back on my old dresser, eyes darting around in confusion until I spot a post-it note on my unmade bed. Grabbing it I read Bobby’s messy scrawl.

Hey sis, hope you had fun. I went to Uncle Taylor’s to get away for a couple days and see if he can front us the cash before Monday comes. Love you, Bobby

Re-reading it several times I burst into happy tears and crumple the note to my chest. “Oh, thank you! Thank you, God! Thank you!”