Page 84 of A Table for Two
“Come on in.” Serenity hugged Dana, and the trio walked back to the kitchen.
“Oh, my goodness, fajitas.” Natasha inhaled deeply. “Those margaritas are going to be perfect.”
A smile played around Serenity’s mouth. “That’s what made me think of it. Everything’s ready, so we can eat as soon as Dana makes the drinks.”
Dana unloaded the bag. “You have a choice of mango, pineapple, or strawberry.”
“Mango,” Serenity and Natasha said at the same time, then laughed.
While Dana blended the drinks, Serenity and Natasha plated everything and took it all outside. Serenity went back for plates, while Natasha set the table and lit candles.
For the first few minutes after everyone fixed their plates, the only sounds heard around the table were moans and comments about how good everything tasted.
“This margarita is delicious,” Serenity told Dana.
“I agree.” Natasha lifted her glass in a toast. “To Dana, the official bartender.”
They all touched glasses and finished eating.
“Not that I’m complaining because I was seriously trying to figure out what to eat for dinner, but what’s going on?” Dana asked, polishing off the remainder of her margarita. “Brianna didn’t have a setback, did she?”
“No. She’s doing well.”
“Then it must be Gabriel.”
Serenity forgot how perceptive Dana could be, especially since they’d grown so close over the past several years. “Yep, it’s Gabriel.”
Natasha frowned. “Did he end the relationship?”
“No. Last night I suggested us having a long-distance relationship, and today he called and said his friends surprised him and are taking him to San Francisco for the weekend.”
“Okay, but that’s not—”
“Then he said he’s probably flying back to Atlanta. The end. I feel like he’s ghosting me.”
Dana touched her arm. “You’ve fallen in love with him.”
She nodded. “It was supposed to be no strings, no emotions, but…”
“But you couldn’t help falling for him because he’s a great guy,” Natasha finished. “Have you told him?”
Serenity stared at her friend as if she’d lost her mind. “Absolutely not, and I won’t. Especially since he didn’t even mention whether he wants us to continue seeing each other.”
Natasha sighed. “I still think you should talk to Gabriel. Maybe he just didn’t want to say anything in front of his friends. I know he cares about you.”
“Whatever. I’m done. I’ve set myself up for my last heartbreak.” Truth be told, her room at Heartbreak Hotel had been booked since the first time he kissed her. “He called again, but I just let it go to voicemail. There’s nothing else to say.”
“When he comes back, he’s going to want to know why you haven’t returned his calls,” Dana pointed out.
“I know.” But she had a few days to come up with an answer.
Natasha and Dana stayed around for another hour and, after helping to clean up, left with Serenity promising to listen to Gabriel if he called. Now, if she could only get through that conversation without him knowing her feelings…
***
Gabriel enjoyed hanging out with his friends, but he missed Serenity. She hadn’t returned any of his calls or responded to his text messages, and his anxiety had climbed steadily throughout the day. As he sat eating dinner with Brent and Darius, he tried to put on a good front and contributed to the conversation when necessary, but his mind was back in the small town, where, in the past, he never could leave fast enough.
“Still nothing from Serenity?” Brent asked.
