Page 34 of Your Soul to Keep

The tension slowly leached from my body.

Amazing, the power of words. Though I knew from experience it was rarely ever ‘okay,’ the mantra worked every time.

I quickly rinsed, shut off the water, and stepped out onto my fluffy bathmat before wrapping the massive bath sheet around my curvy form.

Phase 2 of my personal revitalization project involved embracing and celebrating my ample hips. And that included a thick, luxurious, towel wide enough to wrap around both me and a big juicy man if I so desired.

At the thought of Gabe, the only man I wanted, wearing my hot pink towel I snorted out a laugh and wrapped a smaller pink towel around my hair. Not beige, not cream, and definitely not the classic navy stripe, but bright pink.

Also known as, phase 3: the color I added to my life after the years of imprisonment in classic beige.

That was as far as I got when Nan called with news of her diagnoses.

Moving back to Mistlevale incited phase 4, the social life I gained with my return to Sage Ridge.

And phase 5, according to the text he sent last night, was quite possibly on his way here right now.

Gabe.

Was he my phase 5? Did I even want a phase 5?

Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone next time.

A pounding on the front door knocked Nan’s words clear out of my head. I clutched my towel to my chest. “What the hell…”

I ran to the bedroom window and lifted the corner of the curtain. Gabe’s truck sat in the driveway.

My heart soared like an eagle before plummeting to my knees because I wasn’t ready for phase 5.

I wasn’t a phase 5 kind of girl, and that man deserved all of phase 5 and more.

My breath released with a shudder. Phase 5 didn’t last. It couldn’t. Happily ever after was a myth.

Then what would I do?

Move away and leave everyone?

Watch him move on with someone else who could fulfil phase 5?

It almost would have been better if he had been married. I wouldn’t have given in to the lure of hope and entertained the idea of us.

He knocked again. “Shae! Open up!”

I cracked the window and hissed, “Gabe! Give me a minute, I’m not dressed!”

Stepping back, he looked up and cocked an eyebrow. “Perfect. I like you undressed.”

I stifled my laugh and reprimanded, “Well, tell all the neighbors why don’t you?”

He grinned. “I might if you don’t come down here and open the door.”

Shaking my head, I cranked the window shut.

“Shae!” He called, louder than before. “Shae, I know you’re naked but that’s how I like you best! Let me in!”

“Oh my God,” I muttered, looking around wildly for a pair of pants.

“Shae! I’ll get naked, too! We’ll be naked together!”

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