My eyes flicked to the door, nervous that Gabby would walk in, but I had to ask this question. "Ian, I don't understand why you're encouraging me to flirt with your roommates."
"I know," he whispered. "I also know that you will. Eventually. For now, just go with it?"
"Until when?"
"Until it all makes sense." Then he lifted his head, turning slightly as if angling his ear toward the front of the house. "Gabby's home."
A moment later, I saw Trent's truck stop in front of the house. That meant he'd heard them at the front gate, but how? It was just one more question to add to the growing list.
CHAPTER 22
Dinner with the guys ended up being exactly what Gabby needed. She rambled on and on about "Alice in Wonderland" and the parts she could try out for. Trent encouraged her to pick a few and memorize them all so she'd increase her chances of getting the one she wanted. According to him, the teachers tended to be impressed when a student tried out for multiple parts. It proved they were willing to put in the work for one of the main roles.
Lane said she'd make a good Cheshire Cat. Pax tried to convince her to be the Mad Hatter. Ian was rooting for the Queen of Hearts. Seth joked that she'd make a horrible Alice since she wasn't blonde or pretentious. Gabby giggled at that, proving the guys knew her better than I thought.
All in all, it ended up being a wonderful way to end a very long day. Lane and Trent helped me with dishes, both of them stealing a few more touches than I thought was really appropriate, but Gabby was in the other room talking with Seth about the interpretation of the characters. He was the last one for me to really get to know, since I'd finally gotten a chance to talk to Trent today. Seth seemed like a good guy from the time he'd jumped my back fence, but that wasn't really a lot to go on. He also came across as the only one not trying to constantly seduce me.
Eventually, the guys went home. I half expected Gabby to head up to her room since that was what she usually did. Instead, she surprised me by flopping down on the couch, angled to face me, and completely ignoring the TV.
"Hey, Mom?" she asked.
I muted the show I wasn't really watching and turned to her. "Yeah, sweetie?"
"Why did Dad get a girlfriend before you got a boyfriend?"
Maybe she hadn't missed the subtle looks that had been thrown around the table all night. The problem was that I had no idea how to answer this question. "Because it's a lot easier to date when your schedule is the only one to worry about. Why?"
She didn't let me distract her. "So you're not dating because of me?"
Busted. "Sort of. I'm not dating because you and I haven't talked about it, and I didn't think that was fair after everything I've put you through."
"Mom, he's already moved her into his house!" She rolled her eyes. "Which makes me think he's been seeing her on the side while he was married to you. Oh, and Jaime's a bitch."
"Gabriella," I snapped. "Language."
"But she is. Dad set up this big reveal to introduce us, and it was weird. We went shopping, went to the movies, and then he took me back home and made a big deal out of everything he'd done. Um, I mean his home. Anyway, she kept trying to talk to me about the dumbest crap, like she had no idea what to say. Kinda like she just wanted me to go away, but Dad was all trying to act like 'Father of the Year' and stuff." Then Gabby waved toward the kitchen. "It's not like that with them."
"Our neighbors?" I asked.
She just nodded. "I'm pretty sure Pax likes you. He's kinda funny. Roman said that Ian does. So you could have your pick."
At that moment, I was thankful I had opted for the third glass of wine, because I really needed it. "Are you ready for me to start dating, Gabby?"
She slowly wobbled her head from side to side. "Maybe? I mean, thinking of you with someone besides Dad is kinda hard, but I'm almost fifteen, Mom. I know it's going to happen. I also know that you're trying really hard to make me happy, and I am. I just figured I should say something."