Page 41 of Absinthe Minded

“I’m trying.” I laughed, but it would have been easier without his thighs on either side of me, not to mention his breath in my ear.

Gabe’s phone rang.

“Are you going to answer?”

“No.” His voice deepened.

I would never be a neat freak, but certain things bugged me. Cabinets left open, clothes hanging out of drawers, and unanswered calls.

Gabe fought a losing battle to work the tension from my muscles. “I know you’re writing the cultural reviews, but I didn’t know you were working on another novel. What’s it about?”

I sighed and tried to relax again. “The same as the last four. Female James Bond. International espionage. The publisher’s breathing down my neck, but it’s hard to find time to write. I don’t want to put Ryan in daycare and it’s hard to be creative with a preschooler running around. I’ll finish it soon.”

“Do you enjoy writing?”

The question took me off guard. “Fiction, yes. The freelance stuff, no, not really.”

“Still thinking about Justin?” His hands moved to my lower back.

“I wasn’t until you said his name.” I grinned against the mattress. “I feel like an ass. I mean we only went out a couple times, but we talked on the phone until late at night. I never suspected he was married.”

He made a sound behind me that made me want to turn around, but he rubbed a tender spot, and it felt too good to move.

“Were you falling for him?”

“I thought he was a nice guy. Older, steady…”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I’ve only ever been in love with one person.”

Gabe’s hands stilled.

I’d said too much. Or maybe I hadn’t said enough. “Are you dating anyone?”

He sighed and got back to work. “I haven’t had time.”

I turned and gave him ayeah-rightlook.

“I’m serious.” He put his hand on my head and pushed me back down.

“What’s it been, a month?” I bit my lip to hold back laughter.

“Ten months give or take.”

Holy crap.I should have let the subject go, but I wanted answers now that I had him talking. “Did you love her? Ella’s mother?”

“We barely knew each other.” He pressed harder, as if taking out his frustration on my muscles.

I made a pained sound, and he eased the pressure.

“Sorry, bad subject.” Gabe moved off me and reached for my shirt.

I couldn’t stand the lost look in his eyes or the fact that I’d put it there. I did my best to slip into my shirt without flashing him, but I must have given him a glimpse of side boob or something. The man stared at me as if I were the star of his fantasies.

My mom didn’t know shit. Not about Gabe. Fifteen extra pounds or not, he liked what he’d seen.

I tilted my head. “You okay over there?”

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