Page 119 of Bad at Love

“That’s debatable,” he says with a smile, before leaning in to give me another kiss.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Gabriel

One month later…

I tug my coat tighter around me, standing beneath the small awning of the restaurant with Storm.

“Maybe we should wait inside?” he suggests.

“Probably a good idea,” I say, looking out at the rain falling from the sky.

Storm pulls the door open and I step inside, blowing out a sharp breath.

It’s cold tonight, much more than usual for this time of year.

“You good?” Storm asks, running his hands up and down my arms.

“Yeah, just freezing,” I say with a small laugh.

He kisses my cheek. “I’ll let the host know we’re here. I’ll be right back.”

I wait by the doors for Marta and Luiz. It’s the first night they’re meeting Storm, and I’m nervous as hell. I have no idea why. Maybe because I’ve never had someone I care about meet a boyfriend before? And not because he’s a guy, but just because he’s important to me. Sure, Marta has been here from the beginning and saw each part of our relationship, but still… This is nerve wracking.

“Do you want to call them?” Storm asks when he comes back over. I glance at my watch.

“No, it’s still early. Just worried about the roads getting icy.”

He nods.

“Oh, there they are,” I say with a smile, pointing out the window at them hurrying down the sidewalk. I push the door open when they get closer so they can come inside easily. The rain has picked up, and a gust of wind blows as they come in.

“Goodness, it’s awful out there,” Marta says, running her hand over her hair.

“If we had taken a car, they could have dropped us off out front,” Luiz says, and Marta rolls her eyes.

She sighs, looking between me and Storm. She smiles brightly. “It is so nice to finally meet you, Storm.” She pulls him in for a hug, and he laughs.

“It’s nice to finally meet you too.”

She pulls back, looking at him the way a mother would look at her child’s first boyfriend. Though we’re friends and she’s only a few years older than me, Marta can’t help but be motherly.

“And you, Gabriel. How are you?” She hugs me next.

“Just fine. How was your drive?” I ask.

“Awful,” Luiz answers. “The roads are slippery as hell.

“It’s going to be a busy night in the hospital,” she says, reaching for her husband’s arm. “Luiz, honey, you know Gabriel of course. This is Storm.”

They shake hands, and I appreciate her introducing them. I’m so nervous I hadn’t even thought about it.

“Mr. Andrews? Your table is ready.”

“Oh, great.”

We follow the host to our table toward the back, get out of our wet jackets and hang them on the back of the chairs. It’s warm in here, and they should dry off before we have to leave.

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