Page 88 of Your Soul to Keep

“If you can get away early on Saturday, come then. But whenever you get here, plan to stay until Tuesday morning.”

Would I look like a jealous girlfriend?

Well, I was a jealous girlfriend.

Would I be intruding?

My eyes widened. I didn’t have any place with Dylan.

“Shae,” he murmured. “I want you here with me and Dylan. Just like I wanted you last weekend and how I’ll want you next weekend. I’m only ever going to want you.”

This man understood me.

He saw me.

My heart stopped scrabbling to burst from my chest.

I took a breath. “I’ll pack a bag.”

Gabe’s relief was audible.

I winced. “I’m sorry.”

“No, Shae,” he muttered. “I’m sorry to spring her on you like this. You belong here. She doesn’t. At least, not like this.”

Late that night, unable to sleep, I wandered into my craft room. I needed a distraction from the questions spinning in my brain. The thought of her with him sat like a lead weight in my stomach.

Did they used to live in that house together? Had she ever stayed there? Did they share that bedroom?

I shuddered at the thought.

I ran my hands over the fabrics, unconsciously picking out fat squares in patterns for a baby quilt. It was the middle of the night but there was nothing to stop me from doing what I wanted.

I sat down and began to sew, not slipping into my bed until the early hours of the morning.

Over the next couple of days, the few stilted conversations I had with Gabe over video chat did little to appease my anxiety though I forced myself to be natural with Dylan. Gabe’s texts came more frequently, my responses less.

Halfway to Sage Ridge, I wanted to turn around, but I said I’d pack a bag and wouldn’t go back on my word. Even I was not that much of a coward.

But when I arrived at Gabe’s Sunday morning, it was to an empty house.

My heart dropped into my stomach like a rock.

I was headed back to my car, keys in hand, my mind focussed on the road ahead when Gabe careened into the driveway.

Throwing his truck into park, he jumped down from the cab. Mouth set in a stern line, he stalked toward me, head shaking like an angry bull.

“Oh, no you fucking don’t,” he rumbled. Stopping less than two feet away, he rocked back on his heels and braced his hands on his lean hips. His jaw tightened. “You’re already out the door and halfway down the street. You’ve been pulling away since she got here which is why,” he leaned forward, “I didn’t tell you right away.”

“Where were you?” I asked, standing my ground.

He huffed with impatience. “I just dropped Dylan at the resort so I could drive to Mistlevale to get you.”

I held my arms out from my sides. “I said I’d come, and I did. I’m here.”

He eliminated the space between us. Toe to toe, he looked down at me. “You’re here.” His face softened and his shoulders relaxed. Dipping his head toward me, he caught my gaze. “I’m so fucking glad you’re here.”

I searched his eyes for any hint of a lie, but they shone with sincerity. My shoulders slumped.

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