Page 23 of Inevitable Dream

He’s sweet and so incredibly loving, it makes me want to cry. Instead, I say, “I trust you. I know you’d never hurt me.”

“Still, what we have is about you and me. You’ve gotta speak up if there’s something that doesn’t work for you,” he insists. “You talk, I’ll listen.”

“I love you,” I murmur as I caress his jaw.

“Love you back,” he says with a twinkle in his eyes. “Let me show you how much.”

The rest of our coffee gets cold. We make another pot after he makes love to me for a long while, sweet and slow.

The next afternoon, Maya and Gertie were ready and waiting for me. Rebel and I stopped into the store earlier in the week to pick up packing tape and one of those roller thingies to make it easier to use the tape. Rebel says it’ll be easier to use. I think it’s a waste of money, but I noted there are some things not worth arguing with him about. A roller thingy doesn’t even make my top hundred. Although I made it clear that I won’t always be this accommodating, to which he replied, “God, I hope not.”

Gertie is the tour director from the front passenger seat throughout the entire drive. She points out all the great restaurants and clothing boutiques. She’s already decided that we should be ordering from Mario’s Trattoria tonight because it has the best eggplant parmesan. Who am I to argue? I send a text to Rebel to let him know our dinner plans include our friends and Mario’s great food. He replies back withI’ll take care of it.

We park in front of my old building, and even in the light of day, it looks like it needs sprucing up. The owners aren’t too keen on spending money on it, but Hubert does his best with what he has. He’s waiting for us with a beaming grin at the entrance and gives me a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“It’s good to see you again, Maya,” Hue says. Maya steps in for her hug, and Hubert reciprocates. He then turns to Gertie. “You look lovely, Gertie.”

“Thank you, Hue.” Gertie almost seems shy. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was blushing. Hubert holds out his arm and walks with Gertie to the stairs.

“Elevator’s not working. You hold on to me,” Hue tells her. We let them lead the way to my apartment.

As soon as I step through the front door, I see that all the furniture is gone, except for the couch. “I thought you sold the couch?”

“I did. They’re picking it up tomorrow. You have to have something to sit on to rest your weary legs,” he replies and commandeers the corner seat on the couch for Gertie. “There’s some pop in the fridge to wet your whistle, and Gertie, I’ll make you a tea and bring it up.”

“Maybe we should start in the bedroom,” Maya suggests, giving me a curious glance, indicating that Gertie and Hubert need privacy, and jerking her head in that direction.

“Oh right. Sure,” I move quickly, taking a few boxes with me that are stacked up in the corner of the room. Behind closed doors, Maya covers her mouth with a giggle on her lips.

“Isn’t that the cutest thing? I think Hubert has a crush on Gertie,” she says. “It would be so good for Gertie to have someone her own age to talk with.”

“Gertie’s so active, she must have tons of friends. They do look cute together. I know that Hue’s been lonely for a long time without his missus.”

“Gertie is well loved and sociable, but I see how she is with Hubert. Gertie’s even admitted to Kailyn that she’s told Hubert more about her life than anyone else. That’s special. Even if it’s just a wonderful friendship, it’ll be good for both of them.”

We can hear Gertie and Hubert chatting in the other room, laughing every now and again; it warms my heart. Meanwhile, I go through the books on my shelf, foolishly thinking that I would be able to eliminate some of my collection. I’m a book junkie! I’m a little like Gollum fromLord of the Rings, clutching at my treasures, calling them “my precious.” Maya laughs at my attempts to separate the books into keep and giveaway piles. Eventually, I give in and keep them all.

Several hours later, Maya and I have taken care of the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, bringing us full circle and joining Hubert and Gertie in the sitting area. We’re almost done with the final box when Bull and Rebel saunter in.

Hubert insisted on piling the boxes by the door to make it easier for us to grab and load them into the cars. Bull walks right past the pile, right to Maya, and plants a hard, swift kiss on her waiting mouth. Rebel is only a few steps away, but he closes the distance between us, coming to stand before me. I have to crank my neck back to catch his eyes.

His lips brush mine. “Hey, baby, good day?”

I nearly forget we have a roomful of friends. I want to pull his head back down and demand he kiss me properly.

“Packing’s done,” I tell him, waving my hand around the room.

“Phoenix and Kailyn are picking up dinner. They’re going to meet us back at our place, along with Falcon and Wire. Bull and I are going to pack your stuff into the cars.” Rebel glances at Hubert. “You’re coming for dinner. No worries about getting home, either Wire or Falcon will drop you off.”

“I couldn’t—” Hubert starts, but Rebel interrupts him.

“Not taking no for an answer. It’s the least we can do for looking after our women all day.” Rebel uses his best grin.

“Don’t fight him, Hue,” Gertie pipes up, coming to her feet. Hubert stands and shrugs.

“I know when I’m beat. I’m in,” Hubert concedes. “Let me walk you down.” He turns to Gertie, and the two walk out arm in arm.

“They’re cute together,” Maya says quietly, watching them with dreamy eyes as they leave.

---