Page 118 of Gabriel's Salvation

“And he definitely meant me? Like he said my name specifically?”

“You okay?” I mouth as I rub her shoulder reassuringly, mentally preparing myself to comfort her for whatever mean thing Gabe has said or done to her. He promised he’d try harder.

Izzy nods her head in response but continues to look dumbfounded as she listens to whatever Nate is saying on the other end of the phone.

“No I do,” she practically cries out. “Tell him thank you and that I can't wait.”

Thank you? Can't wait?

“I love you too, baby, and I'm so friggin’ excited!”

“What was all that about?” Ava asks before I have the chance.

“Gabe…” Izzy starts before she's interrupted by Ava.

“For fuck sake, what’s he done now?” she huffs.

“He’s… he’s… invited me and Nate to go… to go out with him and Riley to Six Flags at some point soon.”

“What?” I gasp. What the fuck? This is huge!

“If that's okay with you of course?” Izzy says as she looks at me with a nervous expression.

“That's amazing, I'm just shocked that's all,” I tell her.

“Not as shocked as I am,” Izzy replies as she hugs me. “ I don't know what you did or said to him, but thank you!” Izzy says as she begins to cry.

“What are you thanking me for?” I say as I hug her back.

“I don't know, but I know I have you to thank for it. Gabe is different with you, even Nate has said the same. Nate says that Gabe’s more like the brother he grew up with since he started dating you.” Really? Other people can see how much he’s softened too? It's not just in my head.

“Oh my god, we're going on a double date!” Izzy squeals excitedly.

“We could all go, make it a whole group event. I'm sure Tucker would come, and you could bring that guy from work you've been flirting with, Harper,” Ava says excitedly as she gets ahead of herself.

“No,” I reply, feeling oddly defensive. This is going to be hard enough for Gabe just with Izzy there. And it's such a huge step out of his comfort zone the last thing he needs is for us to bombard him with the whole gang.

“No?” Ava says, looking shocked and a bit angry. “You don't want us there? I thought we were best friends?” she adds, sounding hurt.

“No I do; of course I do. But Gabe….” I begin, unsure how to explain. Thankfully Izzy jumps to my rescue.

“We need this Ava. You have no idea how much of a risk and compromise Gabe is making by inviting me along. Getting Gabe Scott to be friendly is bigger than winning the lottery. Don't be mad, but I really need this. We all need this.” She cares about him too, and in her own way, she's just as protective of him as I am.

“I guess that makes sense,” Ava shrugs.

“Maybe another time,” Harper adds with a smile before she hits play on the movie again.

I reach for my phone, ready to text Gabe and tell him how proud I am of him, but can't help but smirk as I see his response to my earlier message.

My Man

Do I have to remind you of what happened the last time you thought it was funny to act like a brat? You thought I punished you when you dared to look at someone else while you moaned my name? And that was just a fictional character. If I find out another person, girl, boy, friend or not, gets to hear you, I'll make sure your stubborn ass isn't able to sit down for a week!!

My whole body fills with arousal and anticipation as I imagine the look on his face and the tone of his voice as he says all that.

Me

Good thing you can’t reach me then! But don't you worry, yours is the only name I plan on screaming, and when I go to bed tonight, you better believe it will be your fingers I'm imagining making me moan.

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