Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,20
she destined to be alone forever?
Low voices echoed down the stairs. She took the time to gather herself back together, along with her strength. Gabe was an important part of her daughter’s life. It wasn’t fair to punish Zoe for her slowly softening feelings for her coworker. Zoe had already been robbed of too many things. Somehow Bella needed to be more comfortable with them having a good relationship while she kept her distance. But the same questions haunted her.
Was it easier keeping them both safe from heartbreak?
By the time Gabe came back down, she was calm and the walls around her heart were safely barricaded.
“Sorry again about barging in so late.” He gave her a smile and hooked his thumbs in his jean pockets. “Hope I’m not interrupting your plans.”
A genuine laugh escaped. “Are you kidding? My agenda includes a 20/20 episode while I try to stay up past nine and fight the endless battle of chips versus cookies for a late-night snack I shouldn’t eat.”
“Chips should always win,” he said seriously. “I didn’t know you liked those shows. I’m obsessed—I watch them all. Did you see the one with the woman who supposedly murdered her husband, but they pinned it on her sister because they were having a secret affair?”
She snapped her fingers. “Yes! But the jury didn’t convict, so that poor guy got murdered, and no one paid for it.”
“I still think it was the wife, not the sister. The detective was a bit shoddy—he didn’t seem to care as much as some of the others.”
“Yeah, I agree. If I get murdered, I want one of those all-in type of cops who dedicate the rest of their career to catching the killer.”
He nodded. “Me, too. Of course, you have Taylor and Avery in your corner. They’re scary as shit. They’d find him and do their own justice.”
“You’re right. But Avery would do the same for you.”
“Just Avery?”
The question had teasing undertones but probed just enough to make her turn away. She busied herself with dumping the rest of Zoe’s cups in the sink. “All of us, of course,” she said lightly. “Now, tell me what’s going on.”
He paused, then dove straight in. “We didn’t have a chance to really talk around Avery. I wanted to check in with you about Adele’s wedding. To see if you truly want to do this or if your sister pushed too hard.”
Surprise flickered. The obvious concern in his voice didn’t seem fake. She turned and stared at the gorgeous man before her, then pivoted on her bare foot. “I need wine. Want something?”
“I’ll have the same.”
He followed her into the small kitchen and slid onto the stool by the island. She uncorked a buttery chardonnay, filled two glasses, and leaned her elbows on the counter opposite him. He seemed to be studying her uncertainly, as if he wasn’t sure what she was about to say.
“Are you worried I can’t handle the work like Avery would?” she asked bluntly.
He gave a snort that was somehow endearing. “Hell no. Personally, I think you’re the best match for Adele. I just want to be sure you feel comfortable taking this on. With me. If not, I’m sure Avery can step in.”
Once again, he seemed in tune to her emotions. How did he see so much when she was careful to keep her distance? She figured he’d wanted to do this wedding for the résumé-building experience, but sitting in her kitchen a few feet away, she was suddenly confused about his real intentions. “Is it really just concern for me that brought you here, Gabe?”
“No.” He shrugged, managing to make even that gesture elegant. “I also know Zoe will be affected by your absence and that you worry about her. Sometimes I think it’s easy for all of us to forget how much you juggle being a single mom. You do it so well, we assume that nothing bothers you.”
She reached for her wine with shaking fingers. God, how often she looked in the mirror and wondered if anyone truly saw her. She worked hard to try and keep centered, appreciating every small thing now that she knew about real loss, but sometimes she felt overwhelmed—as if there weren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish what needed to be done. She was proud everyone thought she had it all together, especially her sisters, but alone in her room at night, she was plagued by self-doubt. Wondering if she was good enough at her job,