Page 87 of Butterfly Effect

“I don’t?—”

“Save it.”

My tongue clicks as I look skyward.

Time. Patience.

I give her space, too, trailing behind as we make our way back to the house. He puts on a kettle, and I excuse myself to the porch, citing a need to take in the twilight sky from the front steps.

Speckles of stars appear alongside a crescendo of chirping crickets.

I don’t mean to overhear.

“You sent the poor guy out?” Terry lowers his voice to an audible whisper. “Are you two fighting?”

“He went on his own,” she answers. “And we’re fine.”

My next sip hides my smile.

An unsure groan sounds out.

“I’m serious, Dad. He knows how important it is for me to have time with you. Alone.”

“And I appreciate that, but…” There’s a dull thud of a mug against wood. “I wanna get to know him, too.”

Me?

“Yeah?”

“Mhm. Wanna know who’s keeping my girl happy. He is keeping you happy, isn’t he?”

I watch Gabe’s cheeks pink through the screen door. She doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t have to.

I wouldn’t say happy, but I’m doing something, and if the thought of whatever I am makes her blush? I can live with that. A knowing smile splits my face, and I set the mug down on the porch before jogging to the greenhouse to haul hay bales to fill the gaps in its outer perimeter.

An hour later—and after a cold shower—a rustle beyond the washroom door piques my curiosity, and I open it, gripping my toothbrush in my cheek.

Big mistake. Gabe’s perfect ass appears above her jeans as she pulls them down.

My jaw loses its hold. The brush sags, sliding quickly.

She snaps, jolting me from the hypnotic trance.You’re staring, she mouths.

How can I not?

Through tight, pursed lips, she silently motions for me to get back to the sink. Meanwhile, she steps into pajamas, her endlessly long, toned legs and aforementioned perfect ass now hidden.

I whine and gargle before switching spots with her, then go lie on the mattress, searching for answers on the closed washroom door.

Physical confrontation on the ice? Got it.

Emotional confrontation, anywhere? I clearly have no idea what I’m doing.

She faces away when joining me on the bed. Expected. I wait a moment for her to get comfortable. While I could admire the angles of her shoulder blades forever, I need to do this.

“Gabe?”

She sighs. “What?”

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