Careful
The three of us sat in silence for a minute while Leo walked into the kitchen and fixed himself a plate. He kept his eyes down while he poured himself a cup of coffee. Gabe offered him a seat next to me, but Leo said he preferred to stand. He sipped from his coffee and he sneaked glances at Gabe.
“What are you doing here?” Gabe asked.
“I… missed you,” Leo whispered. I picked up my croissant and took my first bite while they talked.
“You just had me,” Gabe said suggestively.
“I did,” Leo murmured. I didn’t need to look at him to know he was blushing.
“Multiple times,” Gabe continued. I choked on my croissant.
“Leo doesn’t choke,” Gabe teased.
“Gabe!” I gasped, only making me choke some more. My best friend laughed as he thumped on my back.
“I speak the truth,” Gabe said.
“Well the truth is TMI,” I hissed. Gabe shrugged.
“You should have slept in,” Gabe said, turning back to Leo.
“I wasn’t tired,” Leo said.
“Lies,” Gabe hummed.
“He wanted to see you. Leave him alone,” I said in his defense.
“What are your plans today?” Gabe asked.
“I’ve got a busy day. Lots to do,” I teased.“Lucky,” Gabe mumbled.
“I’ve got lunch with Mavy—”
“The new girl?” Gabe asked, cutting me off.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Why?” he asked.
“Long story short, Mavy is this guy’s sister,” I said.
“What?!” he screeched.
“Yup,” I said with a pop.
“Goddess… and you want to have lunch with her? You don’t do girlfriends,” he said.
“I have a few friends that are girls,” I said.
“You know what I mean,” he said.
“I know. I don’t think it would hurt. She just wants to do something outside of work,” I shrugged.
“Mm…” he trailed off.
“And I have a date,” I said.
“Oh? So I’m going to get a chance to meet VIP daddy?” Gabe asked.
“No, and his name’s Shane,” I laughed. Gabe blew a raspberry.
“Not good enough to meet the best friend yet?” he teased.
“More like this is a different guy,” I said.
“Now you know I’d never judge you,” Gabe started.
“Yes, I’m aware,” I chuckled.
“I think you need to tread carefully,” he warned. Leo sipped his coffee noisily. Gabe gave him a look and Leo lifted his hand. He sipped quietly and I smiled.
“I have a date with Donny,” I said.
“Ohhh,” Gabe said.
“Yeah. He wanted me to give him a chance. He was a bit pushy, but… I’m going to go today and try to forget the shit storm that went down last night,” I said. Gabe sighed.
“I will always want for your happiness, but I think you need to be honest with yourself. I’m all for going into your hoe era, but you’ve found your mate. Going forward, you don’t want to do anything you’ll regret. Be true to you. Don’t care about anything else,” Gabe said. I didn’t trust my voice, so I nodded. He gave me a hug and Leo growled behind him. I laughed and Gabe told him to knock it off.
“I have to get to work, but if you need me, you call. Got it?” Gabe asked.
“Got it, blondie,” I teased. Gabe smirked.
“Come on, little lion. Take me to work,” he called. Leo was on his feet and followed Gabe like a shadow.
“Love you,” I said. Gabe stopped and turned around to look at me.
“Love you, too, Ady,” Gabe said.
Then they were gone. Before I could drown in my thoughts, I needed to. do something. I still had a couple of hours until my lunch with Mavy. I’d go into town and keep busy until it was time. If I got back into bed, I don’t think I’d be able to get out of it again today.
***
I visited the one bookshop in town. An hour and a half later, I’d bought five books and had another coffee I didn’t need. I’ve recently gotten back into reading ABO, it’s similar to reality, but the pack dynamics are different and have multiple partners. I inhaled a series before Shane stepped into my life and I needed more to help distract me. If I could just jump into another world and live there, the pain would subside for a time.
I pulled my phone out and shot a quick text to Mavy of where to meet me before slipping it back into my pocket. It was only a five minute walk from where I was. My phone dinged and I pulled it out. The screen lit up and I tapped it. I was expecting a reply from Mavy, but was surprised to find it wasn’t.
Chance: Look up.
Lifting my eyes from my phone, I didn’t see him. Turning my head, I looked around until I found gray eyes watching me from a short distance. I found him leaning up against his car. He looked like a University professor with his black pants, belt, and turtle neck. The watch on his wrist flashed under the sun. His eyes were trained intensely on me and I flushed. I’d slept with this man last night. I nibbled on the inside of my cheek. He smiled and cut through the distance. He didn’t move to hug me, just offered me his hand, and I took it. He squeezed it and I took a step toward him. His eyes flashed. I know he could scent another on me, but he said nothing.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Oh, you know. Just… hanging out,” he said.
“Really? In this small town? During the day?” I asked.
“Mm-hmm,” he said. I called bullshit, but I didn’t say that. “I’d say it’s fate.”
“Mm… well fate’s timing is a little off today. I have lunch plans, so I can’t hang out,” I said.
“I thought you had dinner plans?” he said.
“I have those too,” I said with a smile.
“You’re a popular woman,” Chance said coyly.
“Mm. I am,” I said confidently.
“It’s so hard to spend time with you,” he teased.
“I’m booked out,” I whispered.
“I’m aware,” he murmured darkly.
I chuckled while withdrawing my hand from his and then linking my arm with his.
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