Page 22

I stood, held up my hand, and flashed the biggest smile I could muster up. “Nobody move. Sit and eat. I’m fine.” This was my fault for playing with a player. (Shouldn’t Taylor or Olivia Rodrigo be writing that song like today?)

Once out of sight, I took the stairs two at a time and got to my room. I locked the door before I became furious at the tears when they dared to make their presence.

I walked to the mirror to see a little bump. Clearly, the universe was beating me senseless for making piss-poor decisions.

I leaned against the window frame and watched Missy and Raquel load their stupid catering shit into a Honda and felt pure joy as they drove off into the sunset. Peace out.

“Fern?” Dave’s voice shot through the door as he knocked.

“I’m fine really. Between the hang over and my klutziness, I think I might just lay down for a little bit. Okay?”

“Sounds like a good idea. Liv and the girls wanted to run to town to pick up a few items. Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m good, but thanks.”

“Okay. See you soon.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too, Fern.”

I dropped on the bed and listened as the front door closed, and everyone drove off. Alone. It was a good way to be. Maybe that would be my new mantra.

I took two more pain reliever tablets and rested my head on the pillow.

“Fern.” My heart jumped at Gabe’s voice through the door. “Can I come in?”

“I’m fine really.”

“You may be fine, but I’m not.”

“I just need a little time alone.”

“No.”

“Excuse me?” Who in the hell did he think he was, speaking to me like that.

“I need to come in there, Fern.” His voice had an edge to it I didn’t care for.

“Well, I need you not in here, Gabe.”

“I want to see you. And the whole Missy thing?—”

I threw out my strongest voice. “No reason to explain anything. Whoever you did before me, and whoever you do after me, is none of my concern.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Stop, please.” Inhale. “We’re just a weekend hook-up.” Something twisted inside at the words I was slowly growing to hate as a lump formed in my throat. “Missy and Raquel are not a big deal. I could care less really.”

“I’m not leaving until I see you.”

“Well, I’m not opening the door so this should be an interesting standoff.”

He let out a loud breath. “I will take this door right off the hinges.”

I held my breath.

“Fern, I’m serious.” His voice had a little fire to it.

I decided to keep quiet. I didn’t want him to know he could turn me into a blubbering mess, and each word sent me closer.

“Damn it, let me in. I have never needed to see anyone in my life like I do you.”

Tick-tock silence.

I jumped when his fist hit the door before his footsteps faded down the stairs. I put my hands over my eyes. Apparently, I was shutting this thing down a day early. Sorry folks, the park is closed.

I jumped up when I heard a bang from outside.

Likely two of the llamas had found true love and were having crazy animal sex behind the trashcan.

Of course, I sadly moved to the window because some animal porn might lift my spirits.

But guess what, there was no animal action going on outside, Gabe was on the last rung of a ladder before walking across the roof toward my window.

His eyes were dead cold serious. I’d never seen such an intense stare, and I couldn’t break the look. He lifted the window, and I didn’t know if I was scared or excited as he crawled inside. Gulp.

“When I say I need to see you, I will .” He took a step toward me. “I will claw my way to hell and back to get to you.”

“This was a weekend pass, and you are not the boss of me, Gabe.”

He took another step toward me, and I took one back. “I want to talk.”

“I have nothing to say.” I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to channel a badass that was not me at the moment.

“Well, I have something to say.” His eyes flashed.

“I don’t want to hear it. Just go away.”

“Missy was a friend with benefits situation last summer. She knew it, and that was that.”

“Clearly, that’s how you roll. No shock and awe here.” Ooh, that sounded too emotional. “I mean, that’s how I roll too. Yeah, I’ve had tons of friends with benefits situations myself.”

The left corner of his mouth turned up as he took a small step toward me. “Is that so?”

“Abso-freaking-lutely.”

“When? When was your latest friends with benefits thing?”

Oh shit. “Well, uh, on the plane home actually.” Of all the stupid lies I could conger up, this was the best I could do?

“On the plane?”

“Just you never mind. None of your business.” Heat slithered up my chest as he took a step forward, and I realized how utterly stupid I sounded. “But I assure you, it was hot. I mean, like super-duper hot.” Really?

“Is that so?” He took another step while his dark eyes smoldered. “Because I’ve never in my life experienced whatever the hell is happening between us, Fern.”

His words squeezed me so tight I was lightheaded. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

“I’ve spent the last few years on a path of self-destruction. Drinking, women, and shutting off any possibility of there being someone for me.” His voice softened, and my stomach rolled. “But then you kicked my ass in the kitchen, and I may never be the same again.”

We continued our dance of him stepping forward and me stepping away as my heart rate shot through the roof. I couldn’t quite comprehend what was flowing out of his mouth. “I, uh.” Well, any hopes of sounding competent shot out the freaking window.

As he stepped closer, my back was against the wall. I was trapped and could think of nowhere I’d rather be while his words replayed in my brain which was melting at the moment.

“Yes, this was a weekend pass. I would’ve said anything to be with you in any way from the second we met.

The most stunning woman I’d ever laid eyes on.

But then you were cool, funny, and could hula hoop and drink beer at the same time which kind of blew my mind.

” He shook his head. “I was afraid because I’m a messed-up person.

I have ugly scars, and the way I’ve handled myself in most areas of my life has been shameful.

” He looked down while the silence was eating me alive.

I took his chin in my hand, looked into his emerald eyes and could see pain and disappointment. “You’re a good person, Gabe.”

“I haven’t been. But for the first time in forever, I want to be. I’m thinking about the future, and it’s like the weight on my chest has lifted. It’s because of you,” he whispered. “I’ve had dark thoughts I’ve battled and nearly lost.”

He looked away and shook his head as I put my hand on his cheek, his whiskers gently rubbing my palm. “You are good.”

When his eyes reached mine, they were glassy. I didn’t fully understand what he was speaking about, but his arms wrapped around me. “So much about me, I’ve locked up. But I need to tell you something.”

A dread of something snuck into me. “No, whatever happened in the past stays there.”

He pulled back. “Fern, I really need to tell you?—”

“No.”

He wanted to tell me something, but I was shutting it down. I had the man I wanted in front of me professing his feelings, and I didn’t want to hear anything that could take it away. It was wrong, but I wanted to hold on to this, and not let anything in that could shake it.

“I don’t want this to be a weekend pass anymore.” He released me and took my right hand in his and ran his finger over my silver band. “I want this to be a promise ring for us. I know you’re leaving, and we can’t be in the same place, but I want to try this.”

My heart sang opera for the first time ever. He wanted me. He wanted me . A feeling of weightlessness took over as I processed, and my voice was only a broken whisper. “So basically you really do dig me, huh?”

He chuckled from deep down in his perfect chest. “Fern, I dig you so hard it’d blow your flipping mind.”

“So, when I have to leave?—”

“Shh. We’ll figure it out.” He pushed a piece of hair from my cheek.

“And Dave?”

“Yes.” He whispered as he brushed my lips with his. “Hopefully, we’ll hatch a plan that doesn’t involve serious bodily harm to me.” He inhaled deeply. “What do you think?”

Crickets. I hate it when the voices in my head go silent. I never know what they’re up to.

“We can take it slow and tell him when the time’s right?” My hands found the abs that I could almost call mine.

Our kisses grew longer. “Good plan, Miss Fern Ethel.”

He pulled me so close I could feel what was on his mind. “Gabe, do you think we need to seal this new deal?”

In a split second, he pushed me on the bed. “Oh, baby.”

I popped up on my knees to help him pull his shirt over his head. I kissed my way around those amazing abs before twisting and pushing him down on his back.

He grabbed my arm and tried to pull me on top of him, but I felt strong, like a sexy warrior, and pushed him away. “No, I’m in charge now.” I swear his grin was going to make my bra burst open at any second it was so stinking hot.

“Is that right? You don’t think I could overtake you?”

I batted my eyes. “As much as I enjoy to the tips of my toes being overtaken by you, I don’t think you want that right now.”

He let out a deep breath. “Really?”

“Nope, we don’t have much time, do we?”

“Probably not.”

“So, a quick appetizer now, and you promise me the main course later?” I kissed my way down his abs while he growled my name as I unbuttoned his jeans. Little Fern can take control and bring the man to his knees. #romancewarrior.

An hour later, I lay on my bed with a smile I couldn’t have gotten off my face if my life depended on it. The vision of Gabe hightailing it out my window, boots in hand, when we heard the front door open, sent delightful tingles everywhere.