Page 34 of A Table for Two
He did as she asked and followed her to the back deck. Throughout the meal, he contributed to the conversation but continued to mull over what Serenity had asked. He couldn’t deny how he liked being with her, but a relationship wasn’t on his radar. Or so he kept telling himself. Only there was something about this woman that made it hard to remember his vow.
Afterward, they all pitched in to clean up, which turned out to be a good thing because it took less than thirty minutes to get everything cleared up and put away.
As Terri and Jon were leaving, Jon shook Gabriel’s hand. “Man, let me know when you’re cooking something else. I’ll be happy to taste test.”
Laughing, Gabriel said, “Will do.” He shot Serenity a wink.
A few minutes later, Serenity and Gabriel were alone. He could only hope their conversation ended where he wanted, which was…well, he had no idea.
***
Serenity kept wiping a spot that had been cleaned long ago. It had been difficult getting through dinner and not thinking about the kiss that had literally made her weak.
Gabriel gently eased the towel from her hand, tossed it on the counter, and led her to her family room. They sat next to each other for a moment without speaking.
Serenity clasped her hands together in her lap and lowered her head. “Gabriel, you are…a great guy, but I don’t think I’m ready to open myself up to be hurt again. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready. I’ve finally gotten my life to a place where I’m happy, and I can’t mess that up.”
“And I don’t want to mess that up, either. But something is happening between us, and it’ll be hard to go back to being just friends. Or am I out here by myself?”
“No, you aren’t,” she said, her voice barely audible. “But there’s something else.” She lifted her eyes to meet his. “You’re not planning to stay, are you?”
“I’d like to tell you yes, but since I’ve already told one lie for the day…” Gabriel shrugged.
She tried to hold back a smile. “Yeah, you might not want to press your luck. My generosity only goes so far.” Even though this was a serious discussion, he’d still managed to put her at ease and make her laugh. It was one more thing on a growing list she found to like about him.
“But, honestly, I can’t say right now. When Andrea asked me to move here, I had it in my mind to hang out for three or four months and convince Nana to go back to Atlanta with me. Nana doesn’t want to leave, but my plans haven’t changed.”
“Then what do we do?”
“Do all the things we’ve been doing and let the future take care of itself. We don’t have to label it anything—we can be just two people who enjoy each other’s company.”
Serenity rubbed her hands up and down her thighs. “Can we keep it light—no commitments, no ties? Just two people enjoying each other’s company,” she added, tossing his words back at him. The short time he planned to stay would be a plus, and in her mind it was a win-win for both of them, since neither wanted an emotional involvement. She wasn’t one to fall in love quickly, and that worked in her favor, as well.
“If that’s what you want. Absolutely.”
“Then, okay.”
Gabriel slanted his mouth over hers, once again robbing her of her senses.
“Deal. Now, I’d like to take you out on a real date. We could do the wine train later.”
“I’d like that. Do you mind if we don’t go to any of the restaurants in town? I want to keep my businessmybusiness as long as possible.”
He chuckled. “It might be a little late for that. Apparently, someone named Adele called Nana because she saw me mowing your lawn and said that I didn’t leave your house until the next morning.”
“Whaaaat?Are you kidding me?” Serenity shot up from the sofa. “Ooh, that woman is always sticking her nose in somebody’s business. One of these days she’s gonna get it chopped off.” She paced in front of him, muttering about small towns and people minding their own business.
Standing, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “We know the truth, and I would never do anything to disrespect you or give anyone a reason to think you’re not the amazing woman you are. And as far as the date, I think I can handle that. What are you doing next Saturday or Sunday around noon?”
“My sister is going to be in Sacramento for a conference, and I told her I’d drive up and spend a few hours with her before she flies out Saturday evening. But I can do Sunday.”
“I didn’t know you had a sister. Is she older or younger?”
“Chandra is eighteen months older and loves to remind anyone who’ll stand still long enough to listen.” She dropped back down on the sofa and gestured for Gabriel to do the same. “She’s been married for four years, but they don’t have any children yet, much to my mother’s disappointment.” Her mother had also been asking when Serenity was going to find a “nice man” to marry, but she kept that part to herself.
Gabriel stretched out his long legs and crossed them at the ankle. “May I ask you a personal question?”
“I’m thirty-four,” Serenity said, figuring that’s what he wanted to know.
