Page 120 of Bad at Love

Once we’re all settled, our waiter comes over and takes our drink orders. Luiz orders a beer, saying he’s only going to have one since he’s driving. I get a vodka and cranberry, Storm gets a whiskey sour, and Marta gets a glass of wine.

We make small talk as we look over the menu, trying to decide what we want to eat.

“Oh, Marta,” I say, causing her to look up at me. “Before I forget, I have to say thank you.” She frowns, looking at Storm then back to me.

“For what?”

I take Storm’s hand, bringing it to my mouth to kiss. “You told me I’d be thanking you for this one day, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Her smile is slow, but it’s bright. Her eyes get all watery, and I groan.

“Please, don’t cry.”

“I’m not going to cry,” she says, reaching for her napkin to pat beneath her eyes. I laugh, and Luiz rolls his eyes.

“What am I missing?” Storm asks.

“Gabriel, you didn’t tell him?” Marta scolds.

I shrug. “Guess not.”

“Well, now it’s too late. I’ll tell the story.” She grins wickedly, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Fine, but just know whatever she says is probably an exaggeration,” I tell Storm.

“No it is not!” she says, while Luiz is nodding beside her. I laugh again, reaching for my water.

Marta gets into the story, of course making it way more dramatic than it actually was. She tells him all about my complaints and how scared I was over Storm’s application, and that the only reason he moved in was because of her emailing him.

“So you really didn’t want me there, huh?” Storm says, smiling brightly.

“Guilty,” I say sheepishly.

Storm gets up and goes around to the table, holding his arms out to Marta. “I owe you a huge thank you and another hug.”

“Oh my…” she says, putting her hand on her chest before getting up to hug him.

“You’re so welcome, Thunder Storm.”

He barks out a laugh. “I’m guessing that’s not the first time you’ve said that.”

“Of course not,” she says with a laugh as Storm comes back to his seat. He takes my hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m so happy things worked out for you both. You look lovely together. And so happy.”

“We are happy,” we say together, then laugh.

Our drinks are brought to the table, and we put in our food orders.

“So, there is something else I need to talk to you about,” I say, reaching for my drink.

Marta looks up at me with a raised brow. “Well, you can’t tell me you’re pregnant, so what is it.”

Me, Storm, and Luiz all laugh at that.

With a reassuring squeeze from Storm, I tell her. “I’m going to be quitting my job at the hospital.”

“What? Why?” she whines. “Gabriel, I’m going to miss our lunches.”

“I know, me too. But we’ve talked about it, and I think it’s what’s best for us right now. Plus, we’re thinking of doing some traveling.”

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