Page 13 of Playboy

James suddenly started laughing, and everyone looked at him.

“What’s so funny?” Oliver asked.

James, still chuckling, shook his head. “I think Gabby wins. I think I actually prefer the zucchini story over the real story.”

Everyone started laughing, and just like that, Gabby knew she was cool with her team.

A waitress suddenly appeared and handed Gabby a chocolate martini.

Gabby looked at her. “I didn’t order this,” she told her, though it looked delicious.

But before the waitress could respond, a deep and very familiar voice that sent shivers down her spine spoke from behind her. “I did.”

When Gabby turned around and saw Playboy standing there, looking dangerously handsome, her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, the pain in her hip was nonexistent.

Ever since he had saved her from busting her ass at Leo’s party months ago, he had always had that effect on her. He had a way of making her nervous and flustered in a way she couldn’t quite explain.

Though, in all honesty, after learning his call sign was Playboy and then that woman showing up at Leo’s, she was a little skeptical about him and his ways. That was until Oliver told her that Playboy had asked about her. When she told Oliver about her hold-ups with his name and that woman, Oliver assured her that his call sign did not dictate who he was as a person. Oliver offered nothing but praise for him.

Their paths had crossed a few times when they saw each other at Bayside. However, there were times when that same woman, who she now knew was named Vicky, would just pop up out of nowhere and steal his attention.

However, she did get the opportunity to spend a little more one-on-one time with him at a charity gala a few weeks ago. It was ironic that they had been seated next to each other. She had enjoyed talking to him and getting to know him a little more,though they mostly stuck to safe topics like their jobs and the charity that was raising money that night. Still, it had been nice to talk to him in a quieter setting than Bayside. And just as she thought things were heading in the right direction between them, Vicky reared her ugly face again, putting an end to a perfect night up until that moment.

Up until she met Playboy, she wasn’t into the dating scene. She was twenty-eight and focused on furthering her career within the MSRT. Playboy, however, made her see she could have the best of both worlds—a career she loved and a boyfriend.

She thought for sure that Playboy was interested in her more than just being friends. And there were times when she thought he’d ask her out. But then the conversation or something would get all turned around, and before she knew it, she was leaving without an offer for a date.

There were a couple of times when she considered asking him out, but she ended up chickening out for fear of being rejected if he wasn’t interested.

But now, here he was, and he bought her a drink. And a chocolate one at that.

She smiled at him. “Thank you! Chocolate is my favorite,” she said as she took a sip of the sweet, smooth drink.

Playboy grinned. “You’re welcome.”

The two of them stared at each other for a few moments until Oliver cleared his throat, pulling Gabby back to the moment.

“Are you here alone?” she asked him.

“No, I was playing pool with Aussie and Snow. I saw you come and saw you limping, so I just wanted to make sure you were okay. And, of course, buy you a drink.”

Gabby sighed. “I’m okay. It’s just a little injury. We had a bit of an intense situation overnight, and I drew the short straw to fight the biggest dude,” she joked, trying to downplay the incident and injury.

Playboy’s eyes darkened with concern. “Are you okay?”

She shrugged. “I won’t lie. My hip hurts like a bitch. And on doctor’s orders, I’m sidelined for two weeks. But it’s nothing I can’t handle,” she said with a little shrug.

Before Playboy could press further, Luna, Gabby’s best friend and roommate, appeared. Of course, right when Playboy was talking to her.

“Hey! Sorry I’m late. My dumb ass boss couldn’t make up his mind on a proposal we were working on, so I had to stay until it was finalized and submitted.”

“No worries,” Gabby told her friend.

“You’re still up for dinner, right?” Luna asked, her eyebrows raised as she realized who Gabby was talking to.

“I am. If you are.”

“Yes, I’m starving.”

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