Page 90 of It Couldn't Be You
“I live about half an hour outside of Sweet River, over in Ambrose.”
I nodded. “Where that big rodeo is every year?”
“One of our claims to fame,” he said as my dad and his mom slowly backed away. “So, you’re a writer?”
“I am a writer. And a barista.”
“A full plate then.”
“How’s your plate?” I asked awkwardly. “I mean, is your plate…full?”
His smile was friendly, wide, and charming when he laughed.He was cute, I decided. “My plate probably isn’t as full as yours with the two jobs. But I’m a teacher over at Ambrose Elementary, second grade.”
“Well, your plate is probably very full as a teacher—and far cuter than mine,” I said, not letting the analogy go. Because,awkward.
“Second grade is my favorite grade to teach. It can be loud and silly, but always really cute.”
My dad stood over by Katie. He gave me a thumbs up while Katie mouthed silently, “Are you okay?” I stifled a laugh at the juxtaposition of the two of them, then nodded to Katie, letting her know I was fine.
Nathan began telling me about a field trip to the zoo gone awry when in walked Gabriel. He was in a white button down that I couldn’t help but notice made his tan skin look bronze, I bit my lip. He immediately found me with his eyes, but his eyes quickly shifted to Nathan.
I tried to focus back on Nathan’s story. “So, the kid thought basically all monkeys ate like Curious George…”
Gabriel joined my parents and Katie, who appeared to be filling him in on my blossoming love story, I realized, as they blatantly pointed over toward Nathan and me. My cheeks were fever hot as I politely laughed along with Nathan.
“You must have some cool stories, being a writer.” He wrapped up his second-grade tale.
“When I get to travel, I get some neat stories. But nothing as hilarious as the one you just told me,” I said. “So, how long have you been teaching?”
We kept talking. I quickly realized that Nathan didn’t know anyone else at this party and didn’t intend to. He was wholly committed to our setup. He asked me to sit with him while he ate his supper, he got me any and all drink refills, and he remained dedicated to learning about me all afternoon, with question after question. I, guiltily, felt a little frustrated to be so occupied while Gabriel was sitting around talking with everyone but me.
Nathan went to get us a couple of lemon bars, and I had a moment of quiet. A table away Gabriel was talking with my mother, and I could hear them clearly.
She was asking him, “How long do we have you until you jet off to LA again?”
“A while. I don’t know if I want to go back to LA. I’ve got all my stuff in storage since I came back here. And you know, it was cool for a couple of years, but I don’t think I want it to be my home base anymore.”
“Willherebecome your home base?” Mom asked. I sat up straighter, straining to hear his answer.
“That’s my family’s constant question. My mom wants all her chicks in one nest, she always says. It’s always an option, of course, and I’ll always come here so it is a home base in sorts, but I’ve actually been thinking I’ll—” but then Nathan set the lemon bar in front of me, waking me from my snooping.
“Do you like lemons?” he asked, grasping for conversation. And I couldn’t make out what else Gabriel said after that.
But I could feel Gabriel’s eyes on me the entire party. I wondered if he could feel mine. I wondered if he had eavesdropped on my table like I’d eavesdropped on his. Then, morosely, I watched him kiss his mom on the cheek and say he was heading out. As Gabriel walked out the door, I picked at lemon bar crumbs on my plate while Nathan told me about his horseback riding.
Gabriel stopped at the doorway, turning around, appearing to hesitate, and we locked eyes. I didn’t know what else to do, so I gave a small smile. Nathan noticed my distraction and glanced over toward Gabriel, then back at me. Gabe gave a wink and then left.
The party was over for me. I sank into my chair and waited for Nathan to leave, too. Nathan asked for my number, but I only gave him my email address. He was handsome and friendly, and I spent this whole party getting to know him. Yet, for me, as always, the party began when Gabriel arrived and left with him when he closed the door behind him. The past couple of months had removed the mystery of it. I couldn’t pretend or deny.
It hadn’t somehow stopped when I moved back home instead of joining him in LA. It hadn’t faded with age. I couldn’t kiss it away with other guys. It appeared it was a chronic condition.
Thirty-Three
Gabe
I have to admit I’m hurt
Me
