Two weeks after our dinner at Habana, I asked him if he felt like grabbing something to eat after our game. I made a lame comment about reciprocating, when it would have been more accurate to say, “I want to talk to you for hours at a candlelit table in a semi-dark corner. And I want you to come home with me.” I wasn’t ready for brutal honesty, but I hoped he’d get the gist.
We ended up at a very unfancy burger joint near the pier. I had to give up the reservations I’d made at the steakhouse nearby when our game went into overtime. It didn’t matter. The idea of candlelight and a romantic overture was nice but as we chomped on fries and dissected the best and worst parts of our game, I couldn’t help thinking this was better. Free-flowing repartee without uncomfortable expectation was better than sitting around with a belly full of butterflies.
By the time we stepped outside, our conversation had drifted to our favorite blockbuster summer movies.
“I’m easy. I’ll watch anything, but I like the ones that don’t take themselves too seriously, like Guardians of the Galaxy.” I glanced up and down the busy street. “Did you park or valet your car?”
Gabe let out a half laugh. “I’m a poor college student, Der. I never valet. I’m on the next block.”
“Okay. Um…I had Evan drop me off after I went home to shower and…” I winced and willed myself to shut up. Then I scratched the back of my neck and narrowed my eyes, hoping I’d get this next part right. I was about to leap off a cliff without a parachute so frankly, anything was possible. “We can say good-bye here or…you can come over and…I don’t know…watch a movie or something. I’m not sure what—”
“Yes.”
Gabe grabbed my wrist for a moment as though he was going to pull me against him. He let go immediately and shoved his hands into his pockets instead but kept his eyes locked on my lips. And suddenly I knew exactly what he was thinking. I wished he could say it or better yet, just do it. Then again, I wasn’t sure how I’d react if he kissed me on a crowded street. I wasn’t ready for a public display, but I was definitely ready for something more.
“Good. Evan said he’s going out tonight. I’ll check in with him to be sure.” I pulled out my cell and attempted to walk and text at the same time.
“It’s fine either way, Der. We can just hang out. We don’t have to do anything,” he said as he opened the driver-side door of his gray Mini Cooper.
I slipped into the passenger seat and then twisted to face him. “I want to.”
He turned the engine on and then froze with both hands on the wheel before glancing at me. “You do?”
“Yeah. My palms are clammy. Either the anticipation is killing me, or this is my new normal around you. I can’t tell if it’s because I’m nervous about what we’ve already done or if I want to do it again. Maybe it’s just being with you. I don’t know. And I can’t stop talking. So say something. Make me stop.”
Gabe reached across the console and laced his fingers through mine and squeezed. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m in the same state.”
“California?”
Gabe released my hand and shook his head in mock chagrin. “That was bad, Vaughn. Real bad.”
I chuckled at his deadpan delivery and melted into the seat. “See? I told you I’m a mess.”
An old Coldplay song serenaded us as Gabe navigated his car through the busy beach traffic. It was soothing but sexy. At that moment, I would have happily driven all night long and gone wherever he led. I just wanted to be with him.
Gabe pulled up in front of my house a couple of minutes later. Then he followed me along the pathway and waited patiently while I fumbled with the lock. I headed for the living area and pointed at the flat-screen on the far wall above the fireplace.
“Wanna watch something? Evan texted me back. He won’t be home for a while. We can watch whatever you want,” I blabbered. “You can choose. I’m easy.”
“Good to know,” he teased. When I didn’t crack a smile, he set his thumb under my chin and scratched me, like a cat. “Relax, Der. It’s okay.”
I nodded, fixating on his mouth before lowering my gaze to his chest and his trim waist. I was aware of him giving me the same thorough once-over. I didn’t know what he saw, but I liked the hungry look in his eyes. It was evidence if I needed it that he meant what he’d said. Whatever this was, we were in it together.