42 Hours (Time for Love 3)

He released me and walked me to the door.

“Thanks for coming by last night, Gaby,” he said with a final smile as I turned to leave.

“It was my pleasure.” I gave him a sassy smile over my shoulder and walked out, my smile wide as I felt his eyes watching me leave.

Chapter 25 – Scott

It had only been a day since I last saw Gaby, but I found myself anxious like a teenager as I pulled up to her house to pick her up. Work had kept me busy well into the night, just as I’d guessed, but when I got home and fell into bed, exhaustion had left me at the smell of her on my sheets. It had been a long and fitful night.

I walked up to her door, just like I’d done a million times before, except this time, my palms were damp and there was a bundle of nerves rioting in the pit of my stomach.

I raised my hand to knock, and was greeted with air when the door swung open before me and Gaby stood there, a huge smile on her face. I barely had a chance to register that fact when my arms were suddenly full her, and just like that, all of the nerves subsided.

She’d missed me too.

I gathered her close and dropped my chin to her head, inhaling the sweet smell of her.

Gaby giggled in my arms and pulled back to look up at me, her face still alight with happiness. “Hi.”

“Hi, yourself,” I replied, bending down to kiss her lightly on the nose. “You ready?”

Gaby nodded and turned to get her purse, then shut the door behind her. She looked magnificent in a blue dress that matched the color of her eyes perfectly. It wrapped around her body snuggly and made me yearn to skip dinner, throw her over my shoulder, and get straight to dessert. Instead, I held out my hand for her and led her to the passenger side of my car.

On the ride to the restaurant, she talked about the upcoming order for Cal and TJ’s grand opening and I talked about my work on the Veteran’s Memorial account. It was comfortable and easy, like we’d been together for years, and I guess in a way we had.

Everything about Gaby just felt right.

“Have you been here before?” I asked Gaby when we parked at the restaurant.

“I haven’t been inside, but I’ve had their takeout before,” she replied as I helped her out of the car.

“I love that they offer the separate area for takeout. It’s gotten me through many long nights at work, but I enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant itself even more.”

I trailed behind her, my hand at the small of her back, as we followed the hostess to my favorite table in the back corner near the large fireplace. The lighting was low, giving it a romantic feel, with most of the visibility in the dining room coming from the fireplace and candlelight. There was a lot of exposed brick and low beams, giving the restaurant a rustic feel.

“It’s beautiful,” Gaby murmured as she was seated.

“I’m glad you like it.”

I thanked the hostess for the menu, although I knew what I wanted to eat. I ordered the same meal every time. Instead, I watched Gaby’s face sparkle in the light of the candle as

she perused her menu.

“Would you like wine?” I asked.

“That sounds lovely.”

“Red?”

“Yes, please.” She smiled at me over the top of her menu.

I looked up to signal the waiter, who was waiting a few feet away, and was met by the Brock’s stony gaze. I saw him swear under his breath, but caught myself before smiling at his reaction. Not that I thought it was funny for him to be upset at seeing Gaby and me together, but because I would have had the exact same reaction.

“Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom,” I said to Gaby as I stood. She was still looking at her menu, and hadn’t seen Brock, since her back was to him.

I walked out to the pick up area where Brock was standing by the window.

I cleared my throat nervously, not quite sure what to say, but eager to clear the air between us.