Page 69 of Let You Love Me

Gabby pushes my phone toward me while I briefly explain everything that happened last week after I last spoke with her. Including the night at Slice and Friday night at my house and why he’s sending me these texts and at which frequency. When I finish, she stares at me before closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose.

“So let me get this straight. He proved, once again, that he’s amazing with Sophie and actually enjoys being around her.Then, he shows up at your place of work”—she blinks her eyes open and motions to one of the filthy football jerseys—“and helps you wash these stinky-ass uniforms, a jobyou’regetting paid for, just so he can spend time with you and talk? And then he shows up at your house and risks getting busted by your father, who’s also his coach,andbrings Sophie a treat? Not just one, but two in case she has a fucking allergy?”

She punctuates each new point with a step toward me, while I shrink back. “And he tells you in not so many words that you are fucking amazing and better start believing it, to which he’s now texting you reminders twice daily, and you’reavoidinghim?” Her eyes bulge. Soon, she’ll be scooping them off the ground. “Sure, makes total sense!”

I exhale like a deflating life raft prepared to sink. “But don’t you see?”

“That he is an absolute catch, who also happens to be infatuated with you? Yeah, I’m seeing it clear as day. Are you?”

“No.” I shake my head, because I refuse to believe it. Or maybe I’m afraid to, I’m not sure. “He left Friday night in case my fathercame home early. We’refriends.Football is his priority. And even if it weren’t, I barely have time as it is. I can’t get involved with anyone, let alone a guy who is married to a sport. Hell, I see what my father’s career has been like for my mother, and maybe she’s a better person than I am, but I just can’t do that. I’m spread thin as it is, I don’t have the time or inclination to play second fiddle.”

Gabby stabs an angry finger toward my phone. “Bullshit.”

“What?”

“You don’t believe a damn word he’s saying in those texts, do you? That’s the real problem here, and the most amazing thing is,hesees it and he’s only known you a week!”

“That’s not true.” I stiffen, feeling my defenses rise. “I know I’m a good mother.”

“It’s not just about being a good mother, Lane. Yes, you’re a fucking amazing mother, like he said. But the point is, you’re not just a mom. You’re an amazingwoman.A beautiful person, inside and out, who is worth every fucking good thing this world has to offer.”

I say nothing, gritting my teeth.

Because I know that.

Of course, I know that.

Yet I want to argue; a rebuttal sits precariously on the tip of my tongue.

“You want to know how I know you don’t believe it?” she asks, her tone softer now.

I sigh. This is not how I thought the conversation would go. I thought Gabby would agree with me, make me feel better. Instead, I feel infinitely. . . worse.

“How?” I ask.

“Because if you believed it, you’d give him a chance to prove to you that it’s more than just words. That he believes it, too, because any man that does isn’t going to have you play secondfiddle. They’ll put you front and center in their life like the shining fucking star you are, Lane.”

I glance away from her, emotion welling in my throat.

Is she right?

“We’re friends,” I say feebly.

“Yeah. Friends who want to jump each other’s bones. Or at least, you should.”

I shoot her a glare. “I barely know him. Be serious. I don’t know what to do here.”

“Yes”—she steps forward and grabs my hand—“you do. You wanna know how I know?”

I nod.

“Because you don’t let a damn person near Sophie unless you’re sure of them. You may not know everything about this man, and you may have just met him, but you trust him, Lane. If you didn’t, you never would’ve met him last week at Slice, and you sure as hell wouldn’t have let him through your front door with your baby girl upstairs.” She squeezes my hand. “You and I both know this friend thing is only a cover, a convenient cover for the way he really feels in case your father noses around. And it serves as a nice and cozy security blanket for you in the process because I have a feeling Teagan knows you better than you think. Which is how he also knows becoming your friend first was the only way he’d get near you with a ten-foot pole.”

I stare down at her hand in mine while the knot in my chest tightens.

She’s right; Gabby knows me better than anyone. Other than my parents, she’s the one person to stick by my side. She’s been with me through everything. And I trust her.

“So what are you suggesting?”