Page 51 of Vegas Heat

Wink, wink.

I drive to Coronado Island to run on the beach since the scenery is nicer than the workout room at my complex. I see Gabby everywhere I go, including on the small island where we went out to dinner Saturday night before driving to Torrey Pines State Park to stargaze in the back ofmytruck this time.

I start to change my diet, opting to only eat pizza once per week and getting back on the lean meats and veggies I used to eat.

I’m feeling a difference already, and even though I’m exhausted by the end of each day, I still call Gabby before I head to bed.

“I hate to cut this short, but I need to go to bed,” I say with a yawn on Thursday night.

“Can I ask you something?” she asks, and she sounds a little nervous.

“Anything,” I say.

“Are you…avoiding me?”

“Avoidingyou? Why would you think that?” My brows dip as I rack my brain to figure out some reason she’d ask that.

“Well, we saidThe Big Thinglast weekend, and this week it just feels like you’re rushing through our calls and you’re not texting me throughout the day…I don’t want to sound juvenileor needy, but you set the expectation early and I feel like you’re fading away.”

My chest tightens.

I feel like shit that I’ve made her feel this way.

“No!” I say, vehemence in my voice. “No, that’s not it at all. I’m training a new guy at work to take my place, and I’ve been spending time away from work, uh…prepping for my new job. I’m wearing myself out, that’s all. My feelings for you haven’t changed, Gabby.”

“I just keep thinking how I’m going to start school and you’re going to start a new job, a job you still haven’t told me about, by the way, and I don’t know…I guess I’m just feeling insecure. The distance is hard when you’re still getting to know someone, but the feelings don’t go away, you know?” she asks softly, baring her very soul to me with her words.

I wish I could hold her in my arms right now. I wish I could kiss her and show her that nothing has changed. “I have never felt like this in my life, and your ass better be at the airport waiting for me tomorrow at exactly seven twenty-six so I can take you back to my hotel room or to your place or just to the back of your truck and fuck you until you can’t walk straight.”

A soft laugh falls from her lips. “I’m still sore from last weekend,” she admits, and I chuckle.

“I’m sorry, Sunshine,” I murmur. “I’m sorry I made you feel like I’m fading. I promise, that’s not what this is, and I appreciate you being honest with me.”

“Okay. And let’s go with your hotel, by the way. My dad will flip out when he finds out I’m dating someone twelve years older than me.”

“Oh great,” I mutter. “Something to look forward to.”

“You have no idea,” she says. “So listen, when do I get to hear about this new job?”

I’ve been thinking a lot about when to spring it on her, and I still think the best time to do it is to just take her to the stadium and show her in person like I told my mom. “I haven’t officially signed the contract yet, but I’m supposed to meet with my new boss September first to make it official.”

“So you’re telling me you quit your job, you’re coming to Vegas this weekend to look at places to live…and you haven’t even signed a contract yet?” I hear the disapproval in her tone, and it’s just one more thing to love about her. The way she asks the hard questions will prove challenging in the future, I’m sure, but it’ll also keep our relationship strong and healthy. “Cooper Michael, that’s a terrible idea.”

I laugh. “Normally I’d agree with you, but the contract and salary negotiations are purely a formality at this point. My boss and I used to be really tight. He’s a good friend, someone I could see becoming my best friend in Vegas, and it’s a done deal.”

She clears her throat. “Um…what now?Whois going to be your best friend?”

I laugh at her teasing. “You, of course, but what am I going to do when you have a big project due and you want me out of your hair so you tell me to just go have a boys’ night out? This way I know who to call.”

“I guess I can let that slide.”

Our conversation returns to lighthearted teasing, and it’s the dynamic where I find my cheeks hurting from smiling so widely.

I love how this girl makes me feel, and I can’t wait to get her back in my arms—and my bed—tomorrow.

CHAPTER 23: GABBY

School starts Monday, and traditionally the weekend before it starts is filled with on-campus parties and shenanigans. It’s something we’ve looked forward to every year…something my friends will participate in this year.

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