Page 90 of Substitute for Love

"That’s really impressive," Janet finally said, her voice softer than before. "We always knew you had it in you."

Avery glanced at Gabe, whose passion was fading. His eyes went a little dim and he placidly drank water. Likely, Gabe was searching for some genuine emotion, but his parents not the enthusiastic types.

When his parents were busy talking to each other, Avery leaned in to Gabe and whispered, "Maybe it’s not obvious, but they’re proud of you.”

"Are they?" he muttered back under his breath.

As the meal continued, the conversation shifted. “So,” Janet turned towards Avery, “you are a substitute teacher, right? Is that how you met Gabe?”

Avery set her fork down and nodded. “Yes. Substitute teaching wasn’t on my radar, but I’m glad I decided to do it. Gabe helped me a lot. He’s a natural teacher. The students all love him.”

Gabe squeezed her hand under the table, his foot nudging hers.

“Is that so?” Janet asked.

Gabe shrugged, playing it off. "It’s nothing, really."

But Avery noticed a small spark in Gabe’s eyes. "He’s being modest," she said, smiling at his parents. "Gabe’s amazing at what he does. Teaching and archeology."

Janet gave a small nod, her smile more genuine now. "We always knew he’d do something important."

Thomas chimed in. "You’ve always been driven, Gabe. Since you were a kid. I remember how you’d spend hours with those archeology books, even when we didn’t really understand it. And it makes sense the students love you. You’rehighly entertaining. Which as two boring parents, we didn’t understand. We’re proud of you, son."

Avery caught Gabe’s gaze, his expression softening. There it was, the validation he’d been seeking, even if it was a little hidden beneath formality.

As dessert was being served, Janet leaned forward, her eyes darting between Gabe and Avery. "We were thinking," she began, her voice a bit hesitant, "if you’d like, we could fly Avery out to Egypt for Valentine’s Day."

Gabe blinked rapidly. "Really?"

"Yes," Thomas added, his tone matter-of-fact. "You two shouldn’t have to be apart so much. It’s the least we can do."

Avery’s looked at Gabe, the mixture of surprise and gratitude on his face. "That would be amazing," she said, her voice soft.

"Well," Gabe said, turning to his parents, "I didn’t expect that. Thank you."

Janet waved it off. "It’s nothing. It’s obvious how much you love each other."

As they left the restaurant, Gabe wrapped his arm around Avery’s shoulders, pulling her close. "Thank you," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.

Chapter 32: Gabe

Friday, February 11, 12:35 PM

Gabe practically had to scrub himself from head to toe to get all the dust off. But it was worth it. Avery was flying in. He stood at the arrival gate with a bouquet of purple flowers, checking the time on his phone for the hundredth time.

When she finally appeared and Avery saw him, her face lit up. “Gabe!” she yelled, totally not an Avery move. Which made the gesture make him love her all the more. He rushed toward her, the two embracing as people rushed past.

“I missed you,” Gabe said, drinking in her smell. She brushed his ear with her lips, sending electric shockwaves through him.

“Not in public, honey.” He pulled away, Avery smirking.

“Missed you, too. What do you got there?” Her eyes indicated the bouquet in his hands.

“Every purple flower I could find,” he said, handing them to her.

They only had a few days of touring Egypt before Gabe had to get back to work, so they made the most of it. Gabe planned stuff to see and do from sun up to sunset. The first day, they walked through the bustling streets of Cairo, holding hands like they never wanted to let go.

“Isn’t Egypt awesome?” he asked as they sipped fresh mango juice at a street vendor. “The culture is so different. Ancient. You know?”

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