Page 68 of Somehow You Knew

“I know he’s not gay.”

“How?”

“Because I felt his dick get hard when he kissed me in front of my ex.”

Laney whistles again. “Whoa! Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. Give me a play-by-play.”

I spend the next several minutes telling her about Nathan showing up at the studio, Gage acting all territorial, and the explosive kiss.

“And how did you feel about the kiss, about him calling himself your husband?”

“Disgusted,” I say, not believing the words myself as they slip out of my mouth.

Laney snorts. “Yeah, okay. Try selling that lie to someone else.”

Groaning, I lie back in the chair and pop up the footrest as Blueberry curls up in a ball between my legs. “I honestly don’t know what to think, especially because the only reason he was at my studio to begin with was because he brought me apology socks.”

“Okay. Now that’s actually adorable.”

I smile, remembering how embarrassed he seemed when he gave them to me. “It kind of was, but it was confusing too—things got intense after our date.”

“So was that what he was apologizing for?”

“Yes. I finally confronted him about the day we met. All of the details of our date, the way we fought and laughed, and then that mysterious Miranda…it just all kind of came to a head and I broke.”

Confronting Gage about the day we first met was only a matter of time, but I certainly didn’t anticipate his reaction. For a moment, I swear I saw remorse in his eyes, regret mixed with guilt—and that only made me feel guilty for falling apart on him.

He never could have known what that day meant to me, but after the thrift store and him finding the wind chime, I couldn’t stop thinking about the circumstances that brought us together.

Itfelt too strong to ignore anymore—just like my growing attraction to him.

“Well, that’s to be expected. You guys are navigating a tricky situation.”

“I know. But then I went and bought him a chair.”

“Yes, the chair that started this phone call. Why did you buy it again?” I recall the conversation we had about something that would make Gage feel more comfortable in my place.

“I see. So, what’s the problem? He did something nice for you, and you did something nice for him.”

“I know, but he gets so touchy—always sure to remind me this is temporary. He’s so closed off. I want to know him better, but every time I think he’s actually going to open up, he shuts down. Like the other day when kids came up.”

“What did he say?”

“He said he used to want kids, but now it’s not in the cards.”

“Okay, that’s cryptic.”

“Right? And he didn’t elaborate. Add in the mysterious phone call and I’m not sure what to think or feel right now.”

Laney exhales, like she’s turning it over in her head. “Damn, Hazel. I’m confused too. Why would he be so quick to claim you in front of your ex but push you away every time you start to get closer?”

“I know. It makes me think he’s hiding something.”

“I hate to say it, but I think you may be right. Another possibility here is that he’s developing feelings for you and it’s scaring him.”

“You think?”

“I mean, you said yourself you’ve seen his reaction to you. And kissing you? He didn’tneedto do that.”