Page 4 of This Thing of Ours

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’ve got um… a family thing to do.” Gabby internally grimaced at just the thought of hanging out in a coffee shop for a few hours with Ricky, in his suit, hovering while she tried—unsuccessfully—to pretend he wasn’t there. It was enough to give a person hives.

“You’re a hard girl to pin down, Gabby Conti.”

There was an edge of frustration in his tone she’d never heard before, but when she turned to look at him, his usual happy-go-lucky expression was plastered on his face, and she figured she’d imagined it. She couldn’t blame him if there had been. Six weeks was a long time to pursue someone without a result. Honestly, she wasn’t sure why he hadn’t given up by now. She knew she would have.

Gabby gave him a small smile and a slight shrug. She didn’t know what to say.

The professor walked in, and all talking ceased until class was over. Gabby packed her laptop away and stood, ready to leave, but she was waylaid by a gentle hand on her elbow.

“Wait up a sec.” A small smirk played on Derek’s lips. “I wanna make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

Gabby’s heart stilled. Was his joke a coincidence or was he cryptically trying to tell her something? He shouldn’t know who her family was unless he was connected somehow. Her heart started beating again, double time, its swishing pulse pounding in her ears.

“Whoa, are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” His dimple appeared as he smiled. “Was my Brando impersonation that bad?”

Ithadbeen a joke. It took another few seconds for Gabby’s heart rate to calm then she mentally shook herself. Of course, it had been a joke. She gave him a weak smile, shaking her head. “Sorry, I got a little dizzy for a second. Serves me right for skipping breakfast.”

A frown appeared between his brows, but it cleared away quickly, his smile back in place, dimple winking. “They do say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

Gabby forced a laugh. “Yeah, that’s what they say. I should listen.”

“Anyway, back to my offer.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, and Gabby felt a true smile pull at her lips. “If you agree to go out with me and don’t have a good time, I promise to leave you alone and stop hounding you for any more dates.” He held out his hand. “Deal?”

Gabby looked down at his outstretched hand, quickly flying through her options. One date to save her from having to come up with countless future excuses. Sounded like a good trade-off. “Deal.”

His smile turned into a grin. “Friday night?” He pulled out his phone. “What’s your number? We can swap so you can text me your address.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. She didn’t want him knowing where she lived. “Can I just meet you somewhere?”

The frown line returned. “Yeah, sure.” He gave her a boyish smirk. “I’d kind of still like your number, though.”

Slowly shaking her head, she chuckled and rattled off her digits before looking around the deserted classroom. It was getting late, and Ricky would start to worry about her. “I’d better go,” she said, throwing the strap of her bag over her shoulder.

Derek followed in her wake as she made her way to the door and pulled it open. She ran face first into a solidly muscled, suited chest. Ricky’s hands reached out, grabbing her upper arms to keep her from falling on her ass.

Tipping her head back, she couldn’t see his eyes through the tinted shades, but his flexed jaw and pursed lips told her he wasn’t a happy camper.

“Let’s go.” He released one of her arms but kept hold of the other, steering her out the door and positioning her in front of him.

“Whoa, hey, Gabby do you know this guy?”

Gabby looked over her shoulder at Derek. He wore a scowl, and his hand was out as if he were about to make a grab for Ricky. “He’s a… friend. I’ll, um, talk to you later.”

She just barely saw Derek nod as she was escorted down the hall.

Did you makeit home okay?

Sitting on the couch, feet propped on the coffee table, laptop planted firmly on her lap, Gabby read the text from the unknown number with a frown pulling at her brows.

Who is this?

It took a minute to receive a response.

The guy who, after weeks of begging, finally has a date with you Friday night.

Gabby felt a small smile pull at her lips.

Yes, I’m home.

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