Page 59 of One Short Summer

She seems just as eager, and with a combined effort, I sink into her less than a minute later, about to forget my own name because she’s everything. Everywhere. The only thing my brain can focus on. How good she feels. How right. Turning my world upside down in the best possible way.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Monica

After another sexsession worthy of winning some award, we get dressed and finally settle in to watch Hudson perform at the music festival. My gaze keeps flicking up to Gabe to make sure he’s okay, but talking it all out, followed by great sex, seems to have done the trick, and he looks nothing but the epitome of relaxation and contentment.

His story was a bitter pill to swallow for me, wanting nothing more but to go back in time to somehow prevent the pain those two assholes caused him. And to think I worked with Alex this whole time during my recovery makes me sick to my stomach.

Before the renewed anger and revulsion on behalf of Gabe comes back to ruin our night, I take a deep breath and focus all my attention on how good his hands feel on my hips, and how awesome his brother’s performance is. As expected, it’s fantastic, and the crowd goes wild every time the camera flips to them.

“There they are. Did you see them?” I point at the TV, halfway bouncing on Gabe just as the camera zooms back in on Charlie and Mira on the big screen.

Charlie has a huge smile on her face, and little Mira is dancing around on her lap, pink earmuffs protecting her precious little ears.

Gabe chuckles behind me. “Looks like someone was having fun.”

“Look at her. She’s the cutest thing on the whole planet.”

“She really is.” Something has changed in Gabe’s tone and I peek back at him. The look in his eyes is distant, and it looks vaguely familiar.

After a moment, I finally realize why. It’s the same look I’ve seen on Hudson’s face so many times whenever he looks at Mira.

Total and absolute adoration.

“You really like kids, don’t you?” My question isn’t quite a whisper, but the exuberance from a moment before isn’t present anymore either.

He nods, finishing his beer in one long swig.

“There must be something in your family chromosomes that makes you so baby-hungry in your mid-twenties. Only you and Hudson though. Your sisters aren’t at that point yet.” I chuckle at the image of either Dahlia or Rose having their own baby. They both absolutely love Mira and are excited about Charlie’s pregnancy, but they both seem to be happy with being aunts for now, not that I blame them.

I’m right there with them. Having kids just isn’t for everyone.

After placing the bottle on the floor next to the couch, Gabe moves around to get more comfortable while the concert plays on in the background, the next band up on stage. “I don’t know. I’ve always wanted kids and was okay to wait until I’m older, but having Mira around has changed things. I can see how stressful it is to have a little one, but at the same time, she also makes life so much more enjoyable.”

There’s an actual gleam in his eyes.

Definitely baby fever.

These Mitchell men.

Total ovary-killers.

“She’s a cutie.”

I don’t need to look at him to know his gaze is on me—it’s pretty much burning a hole into the side of my head. The blanket beneath my fingers has never been more interesting.

“What? You don’t want kids? I always assumed you would since you’re so good with Mira.”

I knew he wouldn’t leave it alone. This is curious Gabe, after all.

It’s always the quiet ones when they eventually come out of their shell.

His tone sounds strained, and I can’t help myself and peek up at him.

I’m surprised to find an almost tortured-looking expression on his face that makes the gold in his brown eyes look a little dull.

“I do.” I almost blurt out the words, having the inexplicable need to redeem myself. “I mean, I did. I don’t know. Maybe? Just not anytime soon, I guess. Or at least that was always the plan. To dance for as long as I can and maybe settle down later? If I can find the right partner, that is. I’m not sure I’m ‘single mom’ material.”

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