Page 16 of Love Me Dangerous

“Brrr,” Ava says, shivering in her thick wool jacket and scarf, her blonde hair whipping about her face.

“Wimp,” I tease as she buckles. “We’re barely past Halloween.”

She rolls her eyes. “Says the toughest woman I know.”

I slow to a stop at a red light. “You’re no slouch, yourself.”

“Studying doesn’t count.”

“Don’t give me that crap. It does, too.” I accelerate through the intersection and then turn left on Walnut.

“Tell that to the admissions department.”

“You’re going to rock the MCAT.” Unlike me, Ava stuck it out in college. At the rate I’m going, by the time I finish my degree, she’ll already be a pediatrician.

“Hutch is coming home tomorrow,” Ava says.

“Sweet.” I give my friend a quick glance. Ava is close to Hutch in a way the rest of us aren’t, but she rarely opens up about it. “How much leave does he get this time?”

“A few weeks, but you know how it is.”

“Maybe he can help you study,” I say, unable to keep the teasing edge from my tone.

Ava side-eyes me. “I’m sure he has better things to do while he’s home.”

“There is nothing better in this town than you.”

She laughs as I pull into the parking lot in front of Glory Holes. It’s packed, but I spot an opening between a dusty hatchback and?—

“Shit.”

“What?” Ava glances at me, then the truck. “Oh. Is that…?”

“Gabe’s truck? Yeah.”

“We don’t have to stop.”

The glow from Glory Holes’ big windows is like a beacon in the pale dawn. I don’t want to clash with Gabe today, but I can’t avoid him forever. “It’s okay.”

“Did he ever apologize?” Ava asks, her nostrils flaring. “Last time I checked, dancing is a form of self-expression, not foreplay.”

Maybe that’s where I went wrong. One minute, I was lost to the music, feeling carefree and happy, and then next, Gabe was grinding into me from behind, his arms keeping me firmly in place. I didn’t panic until I realized Jesse was gone and I was separated from my friends.

What if Gabe tampered with Jesse’s tox screen as some kind of apology for going too far that night?

“He brought me flowers in the hospital. He was really worried.” The second I say it, I wish I could take it back. It sounds so lame.

“Worried about his dick, more likely.”

I sigh, but my true feelings on this aren’t as easily settled.

We cross the gritty parking lot. Ava pulls open the door, the blast of warm, cinnamon-sugar-scented air pulling me back to the shop. The espresso machine whirs and a cash register snaps shut. The steady din of conversation and laughter is like a warm, cozy hug.

Gabe is seated at one of the middle tables next to his boss. Across from them are a pair of hunting clients. Gabe’s gaze flicks to mine. I try to read him, but he refocuses on his clients, smiling at something one of them says.

“What should we get?” Ava scans the glass case. The top row contains a dozen plus varieties of donut holes, from powdered to apple fritter to plain. My favorites are Fudge Heaven—chocolate with vanilla glaze and chocolate sprinkles, or the Cherry Popper, which is an almondy vanilla donut rolled in sugar with a sweet cherry filling. When these are warm, they are pure bliss.

The middle row is for donuts, bars, and the rotating special. This week, it’s Pumpkin Cheesecake. My mouth starts to water.

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