Page 77 of The Dark Before Light

Shaking off an unsettled feeling, I answer, “Oliver feels like he’s in competition with Kieran. They’ve had conflicts over women in the past. He was fishing to see if I’d be open to sleeping with him, probably because he thought it would annoy Kieran.”

“Have I told you how much I love your brain?”

I smirk. “Yes.”

She glances in the direction Oliver went, her mouth twisting. “I’m glad you handed him his ass. Idiot actually thought you’d jump to offer him yours.”

I shudder. “That would never happen.”

Her grin is wicked. “You know what will happen?”

Catching sight of our server turning the corner behind her, I shake my head quickly. She, of course, pays me no mind.

“More mind-blowing anal sex with a hot Irishman, that’s what! Do you think he’ll let you peg him? Ugh. So hot. I’ve definitely thought about fingering Leo. Should I ask him? If he says yes, can you give me pointers on finding the prostate?”

I drop my forehead into my palm.

“Can I get you ladies anything else?” asks our server, his voice cracking and his face bright red.

Mia erupts in giggles as I swiftly pull out my wallet.

“Just the check.”

When I pull into my driveway, the first thing I see is the last thing I expect: Gabe standing on my front porch. He gives me a wave. I pull into the garage, then quickly grab my purse and meet him in the driveway.

“Hey, Doc,” he says with an easy smile. “Bet you’re wondering what I’m doing here.”

Despite his smile, my heart pounds a mile a minute. “Is everything okay?”

Is Kieran okay?

“Everything’s fine. Do you mind if we step into the garage?”

My senses prickle. “Why?” I ask sharply.

Gabe takes an immediate, large step backward. “Sorry, Dr. Stirling,” he says, voice soft and careful. “It’s a habit in my line of work to avoid high exposure areas. We can stay here if you’re more comfortable.”

I take a slow breath and force myself to relax. “No, I’m sorry. I’m not afraid of you, Gabe. I’ve just had a weird morning.”

“Totally understandable, and it was smart of you to ask. I’ll get to the point—Sven said he tried to text you this morning but none of his messages went through. Consider me your wellness check.”

I relax a little more. “I was at the warehouse for a while. My office there has horrible cell service.”

Gabe nods and pulls out his phone. “If you’re willing, I’d like to give him a quick call now so he can speak with you.”

I glance around the yard, the street. A car drives by slowly; the driver glances at us. The hair on the back of my neck lifts.

“Jesus, now I’m paranoid. Come inside.”

Gabe winces. “Sorry.”

“Stop apologizing for doing your job,” I say as I lead the way. Once the garage door is down, I let us into the house and punch the code to change the alarm from Away settings to Home.

“Glad to see you’re serious about security,” he says cheerfully as he follows me into the kitchen.

I can’t help but laugh. “Sven’s fault. You want some water?”

He shakes his head, already dialing. “Thanks, I’m good.”

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