Page 76 of One Good Puck
When Jared stood me up, I was disappointed and annoyed. All that effort for a guy who wasn’t worth the time and energy of getting dressed up for. I thought my evening was wasted.
But Gavin turned tonight into the best night I’ve had in a long time. And not just because he took me out to a lavish dinner. That was amazing, of course.
But I had such a good time because he was kind and funny and easy to talk to. He made me feel comfortable and doted on at the same time. And the way he listened to me when I opened up to him about my ex. He wasn’t uncomfortable. He didn’t try to change the subject, like some guys do when I’ve mentioned Emma’s dad.
He let me talk about my feelings. He validated me. And he reminded me what a great mom I am.
My heart flutters in my chest. Everything about him is attractive. He’s literally the perfect man.
And he’ll never be more than just a friend…
My brain snags on that last thought. It feels so…wrong. Even though I know it’s best for us to just be friends.
But it’s getting harder and harder to see Gavin as just a friend when everything about him is driving me wild…
He looks over at me right as he finishes his glass of water. The corner of his mouth hooks up in a sexy half-smile.
“You thirsty?” he asks.
Oh, Gavin. You have no idea.
I nod, and he fills a glass with water and hands it to me. I stand next to him at the kitchen island and rip into the dessert box. I shove a profiterole into my mouth, just to give myself something to do so I don’t keep staring at him like a weirdo.
“Want one?” I offer the box to him.
He shakes his head. “No, thanks. They’re all yours.”
I eat another one and notice Gavin smiling at me.
“What?” I ask, still chewing.
“You have cream on your lip.”
“Oh.” I wipe my lip with my fingers. “Did I get it?”
That smile still dances on his lips. “No.”
I wipe again. “Now?”
He chuckles and shakes his head.
I sigh, smiling at how messy and silly I feel. “Help me out?”
He steps closer to me, closing the space between us. Then he reaches his thumb and gently swipes the corner of my mouth, his gaze holding mine.
I let out a shaky breath, the skin on my cheeks tingling at his gentle touch.
“I think I got it,” he rasps.
He doesn’t pull away, though. He runs his thumb softly along my bottom lip. I shiver. I can feel the warmth from his body skimming mine. That’s how close he’s standing to me. Goosebumps scatter across my skin.
I swallow hard as I stare up at him.
I don’t know if it’s the wine spurring me on or feeling giddy after the best date I’ve ever had or having Gavin this close to me, but something inside of me turns bold.
I stick my tongue out and lick his thumb.
His jaw bulges, and he closes his eyes. “Abby…” My name is a low, rough growl falling from his lips.
