Page 41 of Mr. Infuriating (Mister #1)
Gabe
Yes, I did stop and buy flowers. A colorful bouquet of purple lilies, yellow tulips, and pink roses that had caught my eye the minute I walked into the flower shop five minutes before they closed.
I wasn’t sure why I was going back to Gretchen’s. It’s not like she and I were going to date.
Because I like her and don’t want her to think I’m an asshole.
And I wanted her to know my bolting—twice—had nothing to do with her or Jake. It was my own hangup.
One I obviously wasn’t going to get over anytime soon, in spite of going back to my therapist.
I pulled into her drive and almost backed out. What if she slammed the door in my face? I’d deserve it.
Echoing my brother’s earlier sentiments, I murmured out loud, “Man the fuck up, Gabe,” and put the truck in park. Before I got out though, I realized Jake was probably already in bed. I didn’t want to ring the doorbell and wake him up, so I sent her a text as I walked to the door.
Me: Hey… I’m at your front door. Can we talk?
If she didn’t respond, I’d leave the flowers on her doorstep and try texting again tomorrow.
The blue light on the doorbell camera lit up and her voice came over the speaker.
“What is there to talk about, Gabe? ”
I shuffled my feet, uncomfortable that she was watching me, but I couldn’t see her.
“Look, I need to explain why I left so abruptly. And we still need to discuss my proposition about the cabinets.”
“There’s nothing to expla—”
“Dammit, Gretchen, yes there is. So will you just open the door so I can tell you what’s going on?”
Silence met me in response.
Fuck.
I’d been screwing up with this woman since her first phone call to the shop. Maybe it was time to admit defeat and move on.
“I’m sorry I swore. I just need to talk to you, but if you’re not ready, I—”
Before I could finish my thought, the door opened and Gretchen stood before me in soft-looking pink pajama pants adorned with hearts and dogs and a matching short-sleeved shirt.
She was no longer wearing any makeup, and I was arrogant enough to wonder if it was because she’d cried it off or because she’d washed her face.
Either way, I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her and hold her close.
Not gonna happen, Gabe.
We stood awkwardly staring at each other until I thrust the bouquet at her and said, “These are for you.”
With furrowed brows, she extended her hand and took the flowers from me.
“You didn’t have to—”
I cut her off. “I wanted to.”
“They’re beautiful.” She brought the arrangement to her nose and inhaled. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
I nodded, and when she didn’t ask me inside, I put my hands in my front pockets and rocked forward on my toes.
Gretchen studied me for a minute before softly asking, “Why did you come back, Gabe?”
“I told you, I need to explain myself. And I owe you another apology.”
She stared at the flowers in her hand, then finally murmured, “Okay,” and stepped aside.
****
Gretchen
I think my pride needed there to be a reason why Gabe had ghosted me, and why he took off so suddenly tonight; that had to be why I let him back into the house.
“Is Jake in bed?”
“Yes. You don’t have to worry about seeing him.”
“I’m not worried.”
I scoffed. “Could have fooled me.”
He took my hand and led me to the couch in the family room.
“I need you to understand why this has been hard for me.”
I didn’t let him continue.
“Look, I know I should have told you about him, but since we were only a weekend thing, I didn’t see the point.
I never expected you to have any interaction with him.
I even told Rick I’d be sure we weren’t around when the cabinets are installed.
What I don’t understand is why you showed up at my house unannounced when you know perfectly well that I’m a single mom. Surely you had to know he’d be here?”
“Of course I did.”
“Oookay, but then out of nowhere, you just up and leave? Why? Because he was naked? Little kids do that. Your kids didn’t do that?”
“Of course they did. That’s not why I left.”
“So, what is your problem with my son?”
He shook his head. “I swear to you, I don’t have a problem with Jake. I think he’s a great little boy.”
“So why?”
Gabe gave me a patient smile.
“If you’d stop talking, I’ll tell you.”