Page 48 of Substitute for Love

“Did you read my text?” Gabe asked. “From last night?”

Avery sighed. “No. I did notice you spent a hundred years trying to come up with something to say last night, but I couldn’t bring myself to open your message this morning.”

The truth was, she was too busy worrying about what Marshall wanted. To get back together? To try to get more money from her? Since distancing herself from Marshall, she’d realized how much of a hold he had had over her. But why? He had betrayed her, and she’d let him. Avery had a lot of things to figure out before he came to town.

“Well. You should open it. I worked hard on it.” Gabe seemed sincere, but there was a slight smirk that made Avery question his motives.

She opened his text. “I’m sorry.” Two words, but it said volumes. Her heart melted a bit. Gabe was a grown man, but he was also a puppy.

His apology was vulnerable and tender, like he had treated her last night. Not that she was going to let him off that easily. “Wow. Two words. That must have been so hard for you.” She rolled her eyes. What in the world was his angle?

His big blue eyes were like a puppy wanting love. “But I really am sorry. For everything. I mean, I’m not very good at this.” He ran his hand through his hair.

“This? This what?” she questioned.

“Girls. I’m terrible at relationships. I always go full speed then it falls apart.” He paused, searching the sky. “I really thought things were different with you.” He locked eyes with her and she melted like an ice cream cone in July.

Wait a second. He was kind of crushing on her right now. And she wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Would she like to keep dating him? Sure. But she was in a weird place right now.

Gabe’s phone buzzed. He didn’t reach for it. “So I…” His phone buzzed again. “What I mean is…” Another buzz.

“Would you answer already?” she said. Part of her wondered if it was Claire. But Avery also wanted a minute to process what Gabe had just said.

He grabbed his phone, looked at the screen, sighed, then put it away. “Listen, I don’t know what Claire has told you about, uh, her and me. I thought it was something serious, but when I caught her with another guy, and she said that we were just a summer fling. I figured it was over, but without officially ending it. So I guess when she saw us last night… I don’t know. So I texted her last night to make it clear. I don’t want to be with her anymore.”

Avery was taken aback. How could Claire do that to him? Typical Claire. Still, the fact that Gabe said it was over didn’t mean Claire would listen. Avery knew her. Claire had a way of convincing guys to look her direction.

Images of Claire stroking Gabe’s back flashed in her mind. The idea of them together made her feel like hiding. This was all getting too complicated. With Marshall coming into town this weekend, she needed to make sure she was clear on where she stood with Gabe. Without actually asking.

“What do you want, Gabe?”

He watched a few cars drive by, then looked at her, his face dropping. “I … “ Gabe searched her face, like he was going to saysomething. Avery waited. Then he shrugged and said, “I don’t know.”

To be honest, Avery didn’t know either. Marshall had been her only relationship and look how that turned out. She was as bad at relationships as Gabe, apparently. Which meant they were definitely hopeless. Plus, he had mentioned he might be leaving Phoenix soon for an archeology thing. He had other priorities, and she wouldn’t stand in his way.

There was only one answer that made sense to her right now. She reached out and put her hand on his knee, her hand warm at their touch. “You’re a good guy, Gabe. I don’t want things to be weird, especially with subbing at the high school. What if we agree to be… friends?”

He nodded, then swallowed. “Yeah.” He shook his head and shrugged. “Okay. That’s probably best.” He ran his hand through his hair.

The confusion and anxiety of the situation melted somewhat. With the potential of romance out of the picture, they could be normal people, without worrying about where things were going. She felt much better already. At least, she could box up her feelings for him and put them away.

“So tell me, what are you really doing at the library? Please tell me you’re not stalking me.” She smiled mischievously as she stood.

Gabe’s mouth dropped and he looked playfully aghast. “Why would I come to the library to stalk you when I know where you live?” He stood and they walked back inside.

She laughed. A sense of joy she hadn’t felt since before the whole Claire incident returned. “So research? Really?” she asked.

“Um yeah. Legit. Promise.”

“Need any help?” The words fell out of her mouth before she thought what it might look like. Desperate? Flirty? No, they were friends. And friends helped each other.

Gabe ran his fingers through his floofy curls. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind some company. What are you doing here?”

They sat back down at the computer. “I came to pick up some paperwork,” she said, which she technically didn’t need to pick up yet, but she wasn’t about to tell Gabe she was at the library to sort her brain out about Marshall. “I’m starting my part-time job here tomorrow.” She smiled, feeling giddy saying it out loud.

His eyes lit up. “Wow! That’s great. Congrats, Avery.” Gabe seemed sincere, but there was something in his voice that seemed sad. Holding back. Like he knew they wouldn’t spend as much time together. “Oh, wait. Does that mean you won’t be subbing anymore?”

Avery elbowed him softly. “Miss me already? No, I definitely need both jobs. The library is flexible. So I’ll be subbing anytime I’m not here at the library. Speaking of, do you have anything lined up for this week?”

---