Page 73 of One Short Summer

After a quick pit stop at the bathroom, and getting some hot chocolate and an apple from the kitchen, I get settled in on the couch with Gabe’s first book of his last fantasy series. All snuggled up tightly in my blanket, I dive right in, pulled in from the first page.

Knowing he wrote this makes it even better, and before I know it, I’m utterly captivated by this world of warriors, elves, and other mythical creatures Gabe created.

* * *

A soft touch to my cheek pulls me out of my sleep. When I open my eyes slowly, the room is almost completely dark, except for a dimmed light in one of the corners.

Stretching under the warm blanket, I notice the book isn’t on my lap anymore even though I don’t remember putting it away. Not that I remember falling asleep either.

When my eyes zoom in on Gabe just a foot away, I startle for a moment and my hand flies to my chest as I try to calm my speeding heart. “Gosh, why on earth are you standing right there in the dark?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I didn’t realize how late it was until I finished writing for the day. When I came to get something to eat, I found you asleep with your nose stuck in my book.”

I turn around to look out the window. “It looks like it’s way past dinnertime. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

He looks at me with a little, secret smile on his face. “You looked very peaceful and comfy. Seems like my book was boring enough to put you in a good sleep, at least.”

“What?” I sit up, a strangled laugh escaping my mouth while my mind is still trying to fully wake up. “No, no, no. I love it, I swear. I read for a long time before my eyes got too heavy to stay open. I just wanted to close them for a moment but must have been more exhausted than I thought. I can’t even remember the last time I took a nap. Or more so an extra-early bedtime, I guess.”

“You’ve been busier than usual the past few weeks. All the working out and dancing, not to mention the bambini now too. They can be quite exhausting.”

I nod, thinking about all the cute little faces, the paint splatters everywhere, the squeals of joy. It’s been so much fun, filling my heart in a way I didn’t know was possible.

Regardless of that though, I jump on Gabe’s statement. “They really can be, serving as a good reminder why having kids hasn’t really been on my radar a lot. They are quite a lot of work, and I have to admit, a little crazy too. Can you imagine having someone naughty like Tommy around all day, slapping strangers’ butts?”

Gabe’s chuckle fills the room. “That little dude is definitely a handful, even Rose said that. And trust me, a statement like that coming from her means a lot.”

“Sounds like he’s already well-known at the academy.”

“Probably.”

I look at him, studying the neutral expression on his handsome face. The mention of his sister brings me back to my earlier thought, and I use the opening to my advantage. “Speaking of Rose, is everything okay with her? You looked a little tense after your conversation.”

“Oh yeah, all good.” The corners of his mouth lift, showing me my favorite smile.

But like so often this week, it doesn’t reach his eyes.

Worry settles deep in my stomach, but I know he won’t tell me what’s going on since I’ve already asked him several times.

I have to admit it hurts, but I’m not sure what else to do about it, except hope he’ll talk to me about whatever’s bothering him at some point. “Okay.”

He’s the first to break eye contact, lifting his chin toward the coffee table before his right hand goes to the back of his neck. “So…you and my books, huh?”

Pushing through the discomfort, I let a chuckle pop out of my mouth. “Yeah, it was long overdue, don’t you think? I feel like a shitty friend for not reading them earlier.”

Gabe shakes his head. “Don’t. It’s totally fine, really. I’ve learned early on that the books aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. There are a lot of people in my life who haven’t read a single line of anything I’ve written. You get used to it after a while.”

I’m not sure if he really feels as casual as he pretends to be, or if he’s bothered by it. In a way, I totally understand it though. It’s not like everyone I know has come to see me dance either. It stings at the beginning, but you definitely do get used to it over time.

His eyes stay on me, roaming over my face, before he gets his phone out of his back pocket. After typing on it for a few moments, a sudden flash of light from the kitchen lets me know he turned on the Bluetooth speaker.

Before I get a chance to ask him what he’s doing, music starts to fill the room. It’s a song I don’t recognize, but it sounds old—which totally suits Gabe. Even though he’s only in his mid-twenties, Gabe’s an old soul, through and through, his rather eclectic taste of music mostly longing for classic and old-school kind of tunes.

Putting the phone down on the coffee table, he walks over to me, extending his hand in my direction when he reaches the couch. “Dance with me?”

I didn’t see that coming.

Obviously, this offer is a complete no-brainer. I mean, who am I to say no to adance, especially with this man. For a moment, I wish I wasn’t wearing my ratty leggings and T-shirt combo, but then, Gabe is used to it. And he’s never said a word about my comfy attire, so I don’t think he minds, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

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