Page 19 of Kiss Me

“For the love of God, it’s got to be here.” Shaking her head in a jerky motion, Gabi removed everything from her purse and stared into the empty bag.

“Hey,” I placed a soothing hand over her own. “What are you looking for?”

“The code. It’s not like there’s a list on the intercom.”

“Maybe you could just call them and let them know you’re at the gate.” Although I wouldn’t be sad if we left and crawled back into bed for the rest of the day.

“You’re right. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I guess calling and letting them know I’m here is surprise enough.” Laughing without humor, she put everything back into her purse before looking for her phone through her disheveled bag.

She really needed to get a smaller handbag or have a lot less stuff in her current one, but I’d wait until another time since she seemed a little out of sorts at the moment.

I watched as she dialed and waited, chewing on the inside of her lower lip. “Hey, Luke.” She answered and then laughed. “You’ll never guess where I’m at.” Pausing, she smiled over at me. “No, but good guess. I’m actually at your front gate. I didn’t have the code to—.” She paused again. I had to assume her friend was surprised. “You would not believe what I’ve been through the last few days, and if you let me in, I’ll tell you all about it.”

Not even five seconds later, the gate started to open, and Gabi grinned so big, I thought her cheeks might split in two. It was obvious her friends meant the world to her, and I’d try my best to be open about meeting them. I wasn’t the best at making friends. It had been a long while since I’d been social. Most of my interactions were with clients, and they were the less than chatty variety.

The moment my truck came to a stop, Gabi ripped off her seatbelt and flung open the door. I thought she was going to run up to the front door and was surprised when she stopped by the hood of the truck to wait for me as she bounced in place. I couldn’t help but smile at her excitement.

Clasping our hands together, she pulled me toward the front door, looking back at me every few seconds with a wide smile on her face. We hadn’t even made it up the steps before the door swung open and a little blonde woman engulfed Gabi in a fierce hug, swaying back and forth.

A tall blond man with broad shoulders and wary eyes, cleared his throat. “Hey, beautiful, why don’t you let Gabi breathe and introduce her guest.” Even in grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt, he looked like a movie star. How the hell had I never heard of him?

Pulling back, the petite blonde turned to look at me and the second her eyes landed on me, her mouth formed an O. “Who’s this, Gabi?” She winked and gave a flirty little smile.

Gabi hooked her arm around mine, her smile brighter than the sun as she beamed up at me. “Luke and Alex, this is Jax. Jax this is Luke and Alex, the ones I told you about.”

“Hi.” My lips turned up at the ends as I gave a little wave. This was more than a little awkward. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Alex cracked a grin as she thrust out her hand. Keeping my eyes on her husband, who had his arms crossed over his chest, I reluctantly shook her hand.

I was getting two very different vibes. Alex seemed welcoming, almost a little too much, while Luke seemed to want me far away from his house.

“Please come in,” Alex motioned toward the door. “Luke could stand out here all day and never get cold, but I’m freezing, and I’m sure you are too.”

We passed by Luke as we stepped inside the house; he had a wry grin on his face while shaking his head.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here. When Luke said you were at the gate, I think my jaw hit the floor.” She scanned Gabi up and down after taking her lightweight coat. “Do you guys want some hot chocolate or anything? I was just getting ready to make myself a cup.”

Gabi shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. “If it’s no trouble, I’d love some.”

“Oh,” Alex laughed as she pulled Gabi along with her. “It’s no trouble at all. It’s a K-Cup. The Keurig is doing all the work, but maybe if we ask really nicely, Luke will make us some of his yummy Swedish cinnamon rolls. They’re to die for.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. She was all but drooling thinking about those cinnamon rolls.

“Luke,” Gabi turned to him with sad puppy dog eyes, “I would forever be in your debt. We’ve been eating whatever was easiest for the last couple of days… what?”

My eyes had been trained on Gabi as she animatedly tried to get her friend to make her food, looking hot and adorable at the same time.

I was gone for this girl, and I didn’t even care. I thought I was going to be alone for the rest of my life. Never did I think helping someone on the side of the road would change my life forever.

I’d fallen in love with her, and I’d almost let her get on a plane and fly halfway across the country from me.

“What do you mean ‘we’ve’?” Alex asked with a knowing smile. Turning, she placed her hands on her husband’s chest and raised up to kiss him. She whispered something we couldn’t hear before turning back to us. “Okay, we’ll feed you, but you’re going to explain who this handsome man is standing in my kitchen, and what you two have been doing for the past couple of days.”

Heading over to the counter, Alex reached inside a cabinet and pulled down four coffee cups. “Please sit and make yourself comfortable. I’ll do the easy part and make the hot chocolate. Do you want marshmallows?”

“God, yes. I need a sugar fix something bad.” Gabi eyed the bag of tiny marshmallows with hearts in her eyes. I loved learning something new about her.

“What about you Jax?” Alex asked with a tilt of her head. I had a feeling this was a test. A strange test, but still a test.

---