Page 39 of A Dye Hard Holiday
“No, it makes perfectly good sense. There have been a few occasions that he briefly dropped his guard, and I saw that he wanted me. Something holds him back.”
“It probably doesn’t have anything to do with you.” I thought back to the way I battled my feelings for Gabe. Yes, our initial meeting was a disaster, but Gabe had attempted to apologize many times afterward. I wouldn’t let him because it was easier to hold him at bay when I was pissed. “I think he’s fighting himself, not you. Would you like some advice from someone who’s probably been in a similar headspace as Wren?”
“That would be great.”
“Don’t play games with him, Dare. If you really want a shot with Wren, you’ll have to be patient and show him that you’re worth the risk. Sometimes you have to wear them down with your patience.” I smiled as I recalled Gabe doing just that. “When he pushes you away, give him space to breathe, but don’t ever give up. Prove to him that you’re someone he can rely on and a person who will care forallof him, even the parts he doesn’t like. I’m not asking you to let him push you around by any means, because he needs to respect you and your feelings.”
Dare blew out a shaky breath. “He has the power to destroy me, Josh.”
He sounded so conflicted, and I wished I could give him a hug, but had to settle for verbal reassurance. “He probably thinks the same about you, cutie. You need to figure out what you want and then go after it. If your heart chooses Wren, then you drop this pretense with Trent and focus your time and energy on the man you want. While it might be cute when Wren goes all caveman over the doctor, it’s not good for him, and it’s no way to begin a relationship.”
“Relationship,” Dare repeated reverently. There was no doubt in my mind who Dare really wanted. Did he possess the mental toughness and tenacity it took to win Wren’s trust and heart? Only time would tell. “I want what you and Gabe have.”
I chuckled. “Then you’ll take my advice to heart, my friend. Gabe did all the things that I described, and I knew that my heart was safe with him. He showed me a life I never dreamed possible, and, Dare, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”
Dare sighed sappily. “Thank you, Josh. I’m sorry that I asked if Trent could come to the party with me. It was really selfish, and I didn’t mean to disrespect Gabe.”
“I know that, Dare. I’m glad we could have this conversation though.”
“Me too. See you in the morning.”
“Goodnight.”
I just stood in the peaceful library for a few minutes after I hung up, hoping that I did the right thing by giving Dare advice. I should’ve stayed out of it, but I hated to see a beautiful opportunity wasted by miscommunication.
“Dinner is ready,” Gabe said softly.
I whirled around and found him leaning in the doorway. “How long have you been standing there?” His posture was casual, but the heat in his eyes was anything but, so I suspected he overheard most of what I said to Dare, if not all. Gabe straightened then crossed the room to cup my face.
“You gave the kid good advice, Sunshine.” Oh, how I loved the deep timbre of his voice and the look of adoration in his dark brown eyes. “We’ve sure had our ups and downs, but I’d do it all over again.”
He could still render me speechless, but that was okay, because I showed him how much his words meant to me with a kiss. Lord, that man knew how to make me melt. I eagerly waited for the moment that we could go upstairs to the privacy of our room, so he could open his naughty Santa advent calendar.
Gabe pulled back from our kiss and ran his thumb over my wet lips. “Let’s eat dinner because I have a surprise for us.”
I groaned. “Babe, can’t we stay home tonight. We can watchDieHardafter Destiny and Dylan go to bed. We’ll watch it naked,” I tossed out as an added incentive.
“We can do all of the above,” Gabe assured me as he tugged my reluctant ass toward the kitchen. “My excursion won’t take long.”
Thirty minutes later, Gabe packed us all in the Grandparent’s Express minivan. Al sat up front with Gabe because he was too tall to ride in the back. I wedged myself between the two car seats, while my parents and Martina climbed into the third row.
“Everyone buckled up? This sleigh is pulling out,” Gabe said cheerfully.
I rolled my eyes then glared at him in the rearview mirror. “Did you rent this bright red minivan on purpose?” I asked my parents.
“Pure coincidence,” my mom replied. “Sure is snazzy though. Plenty of room. Your father and I are going to buy one and drive it here when we move. Well, I’ll drive the van while he drives the moving truck.”
“Still not giving up on that idea?” I jokingly asked my mom.
“You couldn’t be so lucky,” she teased as she ruffled my hair.
“Are we there yet?” I whined to Gabe before we made it to the end of our street.
“No cookies and hot chocolate for you tonight, Bad Daddy,” Gabe said.
“Yet, Papa? Yet?” Destiny repeated, reminding me of Savage.
“Yet? Bad Daddy!” Dylan said, waving his little fists in the air.