Page 51

The door opened immediately, as if Gabby had been listening at the door the whole time, which she probably had. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but she refused to look at Sofia as Bella and Millie slipped inside. The door closed behind them, and Sofia heard the deadbolt slide shut, making it impossible for her to get inside until Gabby was ready.

She held up her hands helplessly to Keegan. "I don't know what to do right now."

Sympathy flashed across his face, then his face became thoughtful. "You want to get out of here for a little bit?"

"I'm not having more sex."

He grinned. "No. Fully clothed. I have an idea."

"Gabby might need me—"

"I don't need you," Gabby shouted through the door. "I'm mad at you. Go away with Keegan."

"I'll stay with her." Bella cracked the door enough that Sofia could see Gabby sitting on the floor with Millie.

Her body language made it clear that her daughter was fuming. "Gabby—"

"Mom!" Gabby looked up, and to her relief, Sofia saw only anger on her face. No tears or fear or worry. Just anger. "Seriously. Go."

Anger she could live with. "All right. We'll be back…when?"

"A few hours," Keegan said. "Grab your warmest clothes and boots. We'll grab the rest from the truck."

Bella grinned. "There are hats and gloves in the truck. Whatever you need."

"Great. I'll just grab some stuff, but I promise not to make actual eye contact with you, Gabs."

"Good. Eye contact is illegal until further notice." Gabby appeared to be telling the new rule to the puppy, who was licking Gabby's face.

Sofia smiled to herself at Gabby's reply. She'd be okay. She could feel it in her daughter's voice. While Keegan waited in the hall, Sofia ran inside, grabbed her warmest socks and some more layers. By the time she got her boots on, she could see Gabby watching her out of the corner of her eye.

Ready to go, she crouched in front of her daughter. "Hey, babes. I love you."

Gabby didn't look up. "I love you, too," she muttered.

Sofia patted her daughter's shoulder, then stood up, surprised to see Keegan and Bella watching them. "What?"

"That's just really sweet," Bella said. "I forgot what a good mom is like."

Empathy flooded Sofia. She might have lost her own mom, but she had loved her like crazy. "I try," she said simply.

"That's enough," Bella said. "More than enough." She cleared her throat, then lifted her chin. "You guys go. Gabby and I have plans."

"Room service?" Gabby asked hopefully.

"Lots of it. And movies."

As Bella and Gabby settled on the bed to start going over the room service menu, Sofia stood up. She watched them for a moment, realizing how beautiful it was that Gabby had found this family. Family who loved her. How could she have gotten mad about that?

Keegan touched her lower back. "Ready?"

She startled, then turned toward him. "Yep. Where are we going?"

He grinned. "It's a surprise."

They began to head toward the door. "It's almost ten. What could there be to do?"

He grinned. "I'll use my money and celebrity to open doors."