Page 64 of A Table for Two
“Love you, baby,” Nana said.
“Love you both.”
Gabriel hit the end call button and stood to clear the dishes off the table. “If you want to get comfortable and watch your TV shows, I’ll put the food away and clean up the kitchen. That’ll give my dinner time to settle before I have some cake.”
Nana slowly got to her feet. “I appreciate it. Take some of that food home and the cake. Oh, and make sure you cut a piece to take to Serenity,” she called over her shoulder as she shuffled down the hallway.
His grandmother was persistent, if nothing else. It took less than thirty minutes for Gabriel to restore the kitchen to its former pristine state. As he reached for a knife for the cake, his phone buzzed. He went back over to the table where he’d left it and saw a text message from his sister.
Andrea:I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me. How long have you and Serenity been dating?
Gabriel:Again, we’re just hanging out. It’s nothing serious.
Andrea:I wonder what Serenity would say if I asked her.
Gabriel:Don’t even think about it.
Andrea:Oh, it’s like that? Lol, okay. I won’t say anything. For now. Tell Serenity I said hello when you see her, which I assume will be very soon.
He sighed and tossed the phone back on the table. The last thing he needed was his sister—or anyone else—interfering with his and Serenity’s relationship, if that’s what it could be termed. Hell, even he didn’t know what to call it. Still, he couldn’t wait for their trip to the Bay Area on Saturday.
***
“Gabriel will be here in about thirty minutes,” Serenity said to her sister on speakerphone as she dressed on Saturday. “We’re heading to Yoshi’s to see Jill Scott.”
“Ooh, I love Jilly from Philly. So, things are heating up between you and Gabriel, huh?”
More like exploded into something she hadn’t planned.
“That silence says I’m right. Please tell me you’re not still holding back because of that mess with your ex.”
“Not really. It’s more because he doesn’t plan to stay here permanently. And before you say it, I’m not into long-distance relationships, not that he’s said anything about continuing to see each other once he leaves.” She applied mascara and lip color.
“So give him a reason to consider staying,” Chandra said with a laugh. “I’m sure you can be very persuasive. If nothing else, cook him one of those fabulous meals. That definitely would do the trick. I know I’d stay.”
Serenity chuckled. “You are truly a nut.”
“Maybe, but what do you have to lose…other than a chance to find out if he’s the one for you?”
“For your information, Miss Nosy, he’s eaten plenty of my food, and he’s even cooked for me.” She clapped a hand over her mouth.Just great.That would be all her sister needed to hear. Groaning softly, she wiped the lipstick off her hand and reapplied it to her lips.
“Is that right? Hmm…what are you doing next weekend?”
“Why?”
“I’m coming to visit, so don’t plan anything except maybe one of those dinners with your friends, and invite Gabriel.”
“Chandra, I’m not going to—”
“Gotta go. Have a great time, and I’ll text you with my travel information.”
“Chandra, wait.” Serenity glanced down at the phone display. Chandra had hung up. “That girl takes being the big sister way too far sometimes,” she muttered as she went to the closet for her shoes and a jacket. Along with her heeled sandals, she grabbed a pair of flats, in case they decided to walk around Jack London Square.
Gabriel arrived exactly at two. “Hey, sweetheart.” He bent and kissed her.
“Hi. I’m ready.”
“You look beautiful,” he said as they walked to his car.
