Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,80
because she didn’t want Zoe to see him.
He understood. It was a big change for Bella’s life, and he had sworn to be patient. He would not be the man who whined and asked why she was holding back—not after all the time he’d spent dreaming they’d be together. He just needed to take it down a notch and trust her. Go with the flow and ignore the tiny voice telling him she had no intention of making their relationship public. It was just his old insecurities cropping up, messing with his head. They’d talked everything through and wanted the same things.
When he got out of the shower, he saw he’d missed Carter’s call, so he dialed him back.
“Hey, come over and have a beer. I’m bored.”
He laughed. “Where’s your woman?”
“A wedding, of course. I have buffalo wings, chicken fingers, and pizza here I’m ready to share.”
“You had me at wings. Be over in five.”
Figuring he’d hear from Bella later, he headed over to Carter’s house, looking forward to some good eats, TV, and male bonding.
When Carter opened the door, he wore a pink pointed hat with streamers down the back. “Come on in.”
Gabe stood still, staring. “Umm, dude. Is this what you do when Avery goes away? I mean, it’s cool, I just didn’t know.”
His friend shot him a disgusted look. “As if. We’re babysitting. Get inside, it’s cold.”
He stepped over the threshold and barely held back a girlie scream.
Carter’s place had exploded. There were crayons, papers, and coloring books thrown on the floor. A pile of fancy princess gowns, shoes, and purses lay by the sectional. Zoe and Meg were perched at the dining room table with endless teacups, saucers, plates, and a big teapot that looked like the Mad Hatter. They wore matching pink princess hats.
“Gabe’s here!” Zoe shrieked, running over and hugging his legs. “Now our tea party can be complete!”
Meg merrily waved to him. “Hi, Gabe! Would you like strumpets or scones?”
Carter coughed. “I think it’s called crumpets, honey.”
“Oh, right!”
Gabe hugged Zoe, waved to Meg, and sidelined Carter. “You suck. You said we were hanging tonight, not babysitting.”
“We’ll do both. Bella’s out with Daisy—they needed a wild women’s night. Blow off some steam. Figured I’d do them both a favor.”
Gabe jerked back. Bella was out with Daisy? Not that he cared she went out—he wasn’t like that—but she hadn’t even bothered to text him. The doubtful voice inside grew a bit louder. More and more, he was beginning to feel like an extra bonus in her life—not part of her life.
He pushed the disturbing thoughts away and nodded. “Ah, well, that was nice of you, but I didn’t volunteer.”
“Nobody likes a whiner, man.”
“It’s time for our tea party!” Zoe yelled, pulling him over to the table. “Meg, can you get Gabe a hat?”
“Of course.”
He was offered a shiny yellow hat with a veil. “Can I just hold it?”
“You have to put it on, silly,” Zoe said. “Now let’s sit and have our snacks. Uncle Carter, can we have the pink cupcakes yet?”
“Did you finish all your chicken fingers?”
“Yes,” they both called out in unison.
Carter shrugged. “Then go for it. Let’s pause our tea party for a few minutes, girls. Gabe wants to have some wings and a beer, and then we’ll commence after you eat your dessert. Deal?”
“Deal.”
They attacked the small white box, and Gabe shuddered, following him into the kitchen. “Where’d they get all that stuff? Did they bring it over?”
“They brought over the clothes and hats. I’d found the tea set and some games at the toy store, so we keep it in storage for when Zoe comes over. Came in handy.”
Gabe shook his head and took the beer. “You got a lot of layers. Like an onion.”
“Yeah, well, don’t go getting emotional on me. What’s been up with you? Haven’t seen much of you since the Dr. Seuss wedding. Things good?”
He delayed his response by taking a slug of beer. He wanted to tell Carter the truth. He could use some solid advice, or at least another male opinion. But he didn’t want Bella to feel uncomfortable, either. “Things are a bit . . . complicated.”
Carter arched a brow. “Sit. Have a wing. Tell me everything.”
He sat and grabbed one. The burn lit up his mouth, and he coughed. “So good.”
“I know, I got extrahot. It’s got to do with a woman, right? It always is. Are you finally seeing someone you’re into?”