Page 27 of A Table for Two
Apparently, Gabriel felt the same because he shot up off the sofa. “I’m sorry…I…I should probably go.” He scrubbed a hand over his head. “Serenity…”
Serenity slowly came to her feet, still shaken by the intensity of his kiss. “It’s okay. You’re right. We should probably call it a night.”
He nodded, walked halfway across the room, and turned back. He stood there for a few seconds, as if battling between what one wanted to do versus what one should do. After another moment, he murmured, “Good night,” then turned and strode out.
As soon as she heard the front door close, she collapsed on the sofa, let out a loud groan, and banged her hand against her head softly. “What are you doing,Serenity? Friends. Neighbors. The end. No kisses. No nothing.” Except now she had no idea how to keep her emotions from getting involved.
Chapter 8
Friday, Gabriel sat on his terrace. It had become his favorite place to think and unwind. Only today, relaxation was nowhere to be found. He’d been preoccupied with thoughts of Serenity and the explosive kiss they’d shared all week. One minute they were having a “Heartbreak Hotel” moment, the next his lips were fused to hers and he was kissing her with an intensity that still stunned him. Every rational thought had gone right out the window. The cozy conversation, the wine, the closeness—he’d been fine with all of it. Until she touched him.I’m sorry, Gabriel. It’s her loss.Even now the sweetness and sincerity in her voice made his heart do crazy things. It was as if she’d known how much he’d been hurt, could feel the pain and emotional turmoil his ex’s betrayal had caused. That’s what pushed him over the edge.
The heartache he’d buried and thought he’d gotten over began to surface. Gabriel closed his eyes in an attempt to force it back down. Somehow, saying the words aloud that night had dredged up every excruciating moment of that time. He took a few deep breaths and let them out slowly. The tightness in his chest eased.
He hadn’t been the only one who’d experienced a painful breakup. He shook his head, thinking about what Serenity had shared about her ex. Her reaction to his innocent comments about her food now made sense. In her mind, even though it hadn’t been Gabriel’s intent, he had criticized her just as the other man had done.
But now he had a dilemma. Though he’d seen her over the past week and was no less polite and friendly, he’d kept his distance. Gabriel hadn’t outright told her he was leaving, but he had mentioned that he most likely wouldn’t stay past a few months. It didn’t make sense for them to embark on some sort of relationship that had no chance of going anywhere. The best thing would be to go back to their original friends-only agreement. He had to laugh. It sounded good in theory, but now that he had kissed her, it only made him want to do it again. And again.
His phone buzzed, and he read the text from Brent saying that their plane had landed. Gabriel had offered to drive to the Bay to pick them up, but both Brent and Darius had said they would rather rent a car. Hopefully, their arrival would provide the distraction he needed to keep his head on straight.
Placing his laptop on his lap, he stuck in his earbuds, cranked up the music, and went to work. He didn’t know how much time had passed when the insistent buzzing of his phone startled him. He paused the music and connected. “Are you guys here?”
“Yeah.”
Gabriel saved his work as he talked. “Be right there.” On his way to the front, he stopped by the office to leave the laptop.
“You must’ve been working,” Brent said as soon as he walked in. “I called you twice.”
“Had the music up and didn’t hear the phone. How was the drive?”
Darius dropped down on the sofa and placed his duffel on the floor. “Long. Traffic was a little heavier than last time.” He yawned and stretched. “I’m starving. Please tell me there’s a restaurant nearby.”
Gabriel chuckled. “There are a few.” He outright laughed at the twin looks of horror on his friends’ faces. He glanced down at his watch. He figured since it was only five thirty, they should be able to get ahead of the dinner rush. “Let’s go.”
Serenity was getting out of her car when they stepped out onto the walk. “Hey, Serenity.”
“Hey.”
He headed in her direction, and she met him halfway. It took every ounce of his control not to kiss her. “I want you to meet my friends.” He waved them over. “Serenity, this is Brent and Darius. Guys, Serenity.”
Brent nodded. “Nice meeting you.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Darius said. “I heard you have a helluva throwing arm.”
Gabriel shot him a dark glare. “Ignore him.”
Serenity giggled. “Yeah, well, we’re past that now. How long are you guys staying?”
“Just the weekend,” Gabriel answered, stifling the urge to knock the smug grin off Darius’s face. “We’re going to get something to eat.” It was on the tip of his tongue to invite her, but that didn’t fall under the category of keeping his distance.
“Have a good time. See you later, Gabriel.” She sauntered back to her house.
“Definitely not pushing fifty,” Darius said with a low whistle.
They piled into Gabriel’s car, and he took a scenic route that passed the park where he jogged regularly and one of the older neighborhoods.
“Man, this really is one of those old, small towns.” Brent shook his head. “Are there any jazz clubs, or bars, or something that would pass for entertainment?”
“I haven’t seen any, but Napa is about half an hour away, and they have some there.” He found parking halfway down the block on Main Street and walked back to the family-style restaurant that had become one of his favorites.
