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I didn’t want to answer that question. That was just mean, as we both knew he was way out of my league.
“I don’t date assholes,” I said with a smile and moved away.
“Hey, you told me I was beautiful both inside and out.”
“You are.”
“So why am I suddenly an asshole?”
I looked back over my shoulder. “For asking such a shitty question.”
“How is that a shitty question?”
“Well, you might as well have asked me if I wanted to go to the moon.”
“I don’t understand – how is that the same?”
I shook my head and stepped to the kitchen to get a Coke from the fridge. “Never mind, let’s just drop it, okay?”
“No, Cia, talk to me. Why am I an ass for asking you to be my girlfriend… I mean… for asking you if you wanted to be my girlfriend… if I wasn’t your uncle,” he babbled.
Why the hell won’t he just drop it?I turned around and faced him. “It’s a stupid question that shouldn’t be answered. What if I said yes? That would just be awkward for both of us… and if I said no, I would be kind of rude, don’t you think? There’s no right answer to that question, so I don’t want to answer it.
“But if…”
“Stop it, G – how would you like it if I asked you the same question? You wouldn’t want to tell me no and potentially hurt my feelings, would you?
“No.”
“See, and it would be equally cruel of you to say yes and give me hope that someone like you would ever want someone like me.”
Gabriel’s eyes widened. “Someone like you? What is that supposed to mean?”
“I’m not exactly the cute college girl you would proudly take home to meet your mom.”
“No, you’re the cute artist who is compassionate and fun and a great friend.”
“Stop it.”
“No, I won’t stop it,” Gabriel said and got right in front of me. “I think you really need to hear this.” He cupped my face but I kept my eyes on the floor.
“Look at me, Cia.”
I lifted my gaze to meet his warm brown eyes.
“If you weren’t family, I would have hit on you so hard that it’s not even funny.”
I frowned in confusion. Surely he didn’t mean that.
“I’m sorry if it makes you feel uncomfortable,” he said. “But you’re a badass, and the way you face your fears and conquer every obstacle in front of you puts me in awe of you.”
“You’re not serious, are you?” I asked.
“Yes…” He smiled. “I want to be as tough as you when I grow up.”
That made me laugh. “You look pretty grown-up to me, and you even got a medal for bravery.”
“Don’t brush me off, Cia. If you could see yourself through my eyes you would see how special you are.”
