Page 69 of Playboy

Gabby nodded, overwhelmed by the support of her friends and family.

Luna grinned, her wolf ears twitching with excitement. “Well, if you’d like, I can pack up the rest of your clothes and toiletries.”

Gabby smiled at her friend. “Thank you, Luna. That would be a huge help.”

The condo would be more than just a place to live. It would be a symbol of the next chapter in her life, away from the pain of the hospital and the struggle she had endured.

But her thoughts quickly drifted to her career. The uncertainty of her job situation had been a dark cloud looming over her. She knew returning to her former role might not be possible. Yet, the visitor that had walked into her room early this morning had sparked something in her—a glimmer of possibility. Maybe this person could be the key to opening new doors and new opportunities, as Clover spoke about. Gabby wondered if this unexpected twist might lead her to a different but meaningful path forward.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Gabby was feeling very emotional but trying her hardest not to let it show. Her mom was already worried enough about everything that Gabby didn’t need her worrying about her emotional state.

On the one hand, she was thrilled to be getting out of the hospital and could get back to living with a little bit of normalcy. But on the other hand, what would normalcy look like now?

“I brought you a clean set of clothes to go home in,” Wendy said, handing Gabby a small duffle bag.

Gabby smiled. “Thanks, mom.”

She opened the bag to see what her mom had packed her. When her eyes landed on the baby blue thong, Gabby wanted to roll her eyes. She wasn’t a fan of skimpy underwear and only owned a few pairs in case she needed to wear it under something so she wouldn’t have any panty lines. Again, that was on a very rare occasion.

She dangled the scrap of material by her fingertip, looking at her mom.

“Really, mom?”

Her mom smirked, her eyes holding a slight glint. “What? It never hurts to be prepared?”

“Prepared for what exactly?”

“You and Tanner. I mean, he is giving you a ride home.”

“Yeah, he is giving me a ride in his car. I’m not riding him.”

Wendy laughed, and Gabby narrowed her eyes at her mom.

“Why are you laughing? You know what, don’t answer that. I can’t believe that I am having this discussion with you.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re my mom.”

“So?”

“Unbelievable!”

“What’s unbelievable?” Gabby’s dad asked, walking into the room.

“Nothing,” Gabby said quickly, grabbing her bag and hobbling off to the bathroom to change.

“What was that all about?” David asked Wendy.

“Just a little something between mother and daughter.”

Having walked in on some of his wife’s and daughter’s conversations before, he knew when not to press for more information. So, he changed the topic. “I saw Tanner downstairs. He said that he was taking Gabby home.”

“I know. I asked him to.”

“Why? I thought we were taking her.”

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