Page 128 of Anything To Be With You

She moved to Stonewall, Manitoba ten years ago for her job. Visits are far and few between with all our busy lives, but we video chat almost everyday and when the visits do happen, it's as if no time has passed and we jump right back to where we left off.

"He's okay. They found something to help with the pain finally. Yesterday was a shitshow." I fill Rora in on what happened, leaving out the part about Luke.

"And how are you doing?" she whispers.

"I'll be okay once I know he's okay."

"That's not what I mean."

My brows furrow. "What do you mean?"

"Erin told me about everything with Mason, you and Luke."

My stomach turns. It's only been forty-eight hours and it still doesn't feel real. I quit my job and lost the love of my life.

Before I can explain anything, there's a knock on the door and a voice calling out. "Dani girl, I hope this is the right room. I would prefer not to see another naked old man."

I snort out a small laugh. "Yeah, Gabe, it's the right room."

The door swings open and Gabe swaggers in with a huge smile on his face. "Hello, gorgeous," he kisses my cheek.

"Hello, handsome," I return the kiss.

Gabe drops his large body into the chair next to the bed. "Luke filled me in on what happened."

I bow my head. "He, um…"

"Dani, would you like me to let you go?" Rora's soft voice asks.

Gabe stiffens in his chair. "Who's that?"

I turn my phone. "Gabe, this is my other best friend, Aurora."

Gabe's blue eyes widen and he starts bouncing his leg nervously, sweat breaking out along his forehead and his golden skin paling.

"Gabe, you okay?" I ask, concerned. I've never seen him like this before.

"I-I-I-I'm f-f-f-fine," he stutters. "N-n-n-nice t-t-t-to me-me-me-meet y-y-y-you."

I gawk at this man next to me. Gabe is always so sure of himself, some might even say cocky, but this Gabe, this is someone I've never met before.

"Nice to meet you, too." Rora breathes, her face a dark red colour.

The room is quiet as these two stare at each other, their faces turning redder by the second.

"I gotta go," Rora says. "Call me later, love you."

"Love you, too." I say but she already hung up. "That was weird."

I glance over at Gabe, who's still staring at my phone screen. I wave my hand in front of his face. "You sure you're okay?"

He seems to snap out of whatever trance he was in and flashes me a one dimpled smile. "I'm good, baby girl." He stands quickly. "Are you hungry? Want me to grab you something?"

I open my mouth to answer, but he's already out the door.

"The fuck was that about?" I mutter to myself.

Gabe

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