Page 49 of Absinthe Minded

I knew him. I recognized the tension in his jaw, and that his grin hadn’t crinkled the corners of his eyes. Gabe had lied to me.

“You should go. Chloe might come looking for me, or my mother could show up in the morning.” The thought of my mother finding him in my bed made my head hurt almost as much as his dishonesty.

“Your mother already thinks we’re sleeping together.”

My throat tightened. “Why does she think that?”

“She got the wrong idea this morning.” He shrugged and nudged my side. “May as well do the deed. I’m sure both our mothers already lit candles for our sinful souls.”

“Perfect.” I drew my knees to my chest. “One more thing your mom can use against me in court.”

“I’ll get her to drop the custody case, but it would be easier to do if you had my ring on your finger.”

Blood rushed behind my eardrums.That was definitely an off-handed proposal.

His phone rang again. This time he cursed and turned it off.

My nerves sparked like downed powerlines. “Who keeps calling you?

“It’s another blocked number. Probably a solicitor.” He reached for my hand. “I want this. I want you. Let’s go ring shopping.”

“I can’t marry you. We’re just now getting to know each other again.” Part of me wanted to laugh, the other wanted to cry. I’d never stopped loving him, but he’d broken my heart. I couldn’t go through that again. I wouldn’t survive it.

Gabe’s expression grew more serious. “She’s wrong, you know.”

“Who?”

“Your mother. Guys like me do fall for women like you.”

My mouth moved though no sound came out. I stared for a beat and dipped my chin. I couldn’t look at him, not when I felt so damned humiliated. “You heard that?”

“Yeah.” He took my hand and pulled until I rested against his chest. “Nothing personal, but your mother’s a bitch. Took everything I had to not toss her out on her skinny ass last week. And man-oh-man, did I enjoy kicking her out this morning.”

“She’s had a tough time since her divorce and worries about me getting hurt.” I hated myself for defending her, but she was my mom.

“There’s no excuse.” He ran hand up my back. “Let me hold you tonight. We’ll talk about the rest in the morning.”

I weighed my options. Chloe might come downstairs, but I could always lock the bedroom door. I sighed, preparing to turn him down when it hit me—I didn’t want him to leave. Not tonight. Not ever. I’d always loved him, but at some point since he showed up on my doorstep, I’d tripped and fallen backin lovewith him. “Stay.”

“That was too easy. Are you sure?” He nuzzled his face into my hair.

“Are you trying to talk me out of it?”

“No.” Gabe chuckled. “Close your eyes and get some rest.”

“I feel better.”

“Good.”

“You convinced me to sleep with you and all you want to do issleep?” I slid my hand down his back to his ass.

“Crazy what we do for love, isn’t it?” He kissed the top of my head. “Good night, Maggie.”

He used the L-word!It seemed silly that those four letters could make my pulse race faster than it had when he’d all but asked me to marry him. For once in my life, I settled into the warm-fuzzy feeling of belonging without the fear of it all coming down around me. “Good night, Gabe.”

17

Gabe

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