Page 123 of Every Broken Piece
“Jack and I usually have a beer. Since Pax is too young to drink”—Gabe shoots Pax a glare—“he has a soda.”
“Soda is fine,” I say.
Once Tina departs with our order, Pax turns to Jack and launches into a discussion about DLP controls, third party risk, phishing attacks, and EDR. It all sounds like a foreign language.
Gabe angles his body toward me, one arm over the back of the booth, the other resting on the table so I’m caged in. The hand behind me glides down the length of my hair. It takes everything in me not to lean into his touch.
“How was your day?” he asks.
“I have an interview scheduled with the real estate agency on Monday.”
His hand stills for a moment. “Do you.”
It’s not a question and I try not to let his lack of enthusiasm damper mine. I know he wants me to work for him, but I don’t want to. I want to do this on my own and while a receptionist isn’t close to what I was doing before, I’m willing to give it a try.
“I’ll need to go clothes shopping tomorrow. I don’t have anything that’s interview appropriate.”
His jaw flexes. I can almost feel everything he wants to say to me but keeps his thoughts to himself. “I’ll have my driver pick you up.”
“No need. I studied the bus system, and I can get where I need to go.”
“You’re not riding the bus when I have a perfectly good car and driver.”
“No need—”
“Yes. There is a need, Tess. I don’t want you wandering around out there without some sort of protection.”
Tina arrives with our drinks. Pax and Jack barely pause their conversation while unease bubbles through me.
“You said Carson’s in Chicago. And Sandra doesn’t have the means to get to Denver so I’m safe, right?”
“I think so, but I’d still feel better if someone was with you.”
A driver would be helpful to get around, especially since I don’t know the city at all past Gabe’s apartment and the pizza place. I can navigate the bus system but why be stubborn when a car would be easier?
“Okay. If you don’t mind.”
He tilts his head down to meet my eyes. “I never mind keeping you safe.”
I drum my fingers on my leg and make sure Pax and Jack are still engrossed in their tech talk. Pax is making a point by motioning with his hands. Jack is sipping his beer, nodding.
Gabe takes a sip of his beer, those bright blue eyes studying me. “What are you thinking?”
“I need to go home.”
“You are home.”
I shake my head. “To Cincinnati.”
His beer thunks down on the table, causing Pax to pause, glance at him, then resume his conversation.
“I have a doctor’s appointment next week. Two, actually. With the neuro doctor and the wrist doctor.”
He breathes a deep breath out through his nose. It’s almost like he physically deflates, and I realize he thought I was leaving for good.
“Just for the appointments,” I clarify.
His gaze drops to his beer bottle as he twists it around on the table. “You sure?”
