Page 94 of Not In A Billion Years

From Gabriel

I thought the apology was confined to the Goonies part

To Gabriel

No, it included everything

From Gabriel

Consider me un-snippy then

A moment of silence passes, and I doubt whether he’s still there. But then:

From Gabriel

You mind if I come in?

I do, but I don’t want to seem churlish.

To Gabriel

Would it matter if I said no?

From Gabriel

Now who’s being snippy?

And, yes, it would matter

If you don’t want to see me, I’ll stay in my bed

But I’d rather have this conversation face to face

To Gabriel

Fine

You can come in

There are a few seconds of rustling, a gentle knock, and then he enters the room. Gabriel is a mess. He has the appearance of someone who’s spent the last few hours steaming in guilt. But he still looks totally beddable as he leans on the door and says, “Hey.”

“Hey,” I respond, still a little rough around the edges.

“I’m sorry,” he says simply.

“For what part?”

“For lying about the scavenger hunt. For dragging you off into the woods. And for freaking you out this afternoon.”

“I guess I shouldn’t have fought against us so much, either.”

His features soften “After hearing your story about Justin earlier, I understand better where you’re coming from. Why it’s so hard for you to trust a man. If I’d known, or if I’d thought for a second you’d react this way, I wouldn’t have pushed things so far.”

“So, um, we’re clear on the no-kidnapping rule?”

“Crystal,” he says and his voice is pure gravel—rough with remorse.

“Okay.”

---