Page 27 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
He’d take that for now. “Yes, friends.”
“I can do that,” she finally said.
Gunner’s heart was pounding so loudly, he was sure Aubrey could hear it. Her fiery eyes held his, and he could hardly believe it when he found her leaning in, drawn by an invisible force that had pulled them together once before.
Suddenly, the silence ended, shattering the moment. “Good Lord, it smells heavenly in here.” Willow’s voice rang out, followed by the thunderous footsteps of the rest of the group.
Aubrey jerked back, her cheeks flushing as she busied herself with looking at her pants again. Gunner cleared his throat, running a hand through his tousled blond hair.
As everyone crowded around the stove, exclaiming over the aromatic dish, Aubrey snuck a glance at Gunner. He caught her eye, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth, and she smiled back.
“Alright, folks,” Gunner announced, clapping his hands together. “Let’s go play cards while this simmers for a little while.”
“Yes,” Willow said. “And I’ve got a movie for us later.”
They moved in a chaotic dance, pouring drinks and grabbing cards, heading to the living room. His eyes found Aubrey’s before she headed out of the kitchen. As their gazes met, he felt a silent promise, a question left hanging in the air.
What now?Gunner wondered.Friends, she’d offered. But could they ever just be friends?
Eight
The dying embers cast a warm, flickering glow across the room as Aubrey’s eyes fluttered open. Disoriented, she blinked away the remnants of sleep, her gaze sweeping over the cozy yet disheveled living room. Blankets and pillows were strewn haphazardly, evidence of the movie night that had clearly ended while she slept. The absence of her friends’ laughter and chatter struck her, replaced by a hushed stillness broken only by the occasional crackle from the fireplace.
Though as her gaze landed on Gunner’s sleeping form sprawled across the couch, her breath caught. His chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm, one arm draped carelessly over his midsection while the other dangled off the edge. The fading firelight played across his features, softening the lines of his face.
God, he’s gorgeous, Aubrey thought, allowing herself a moment to drink in the sight of him. Even in sleep, there was something magnetic about Gunner Woods. It was the same pull she’d felt that night in Atlanta, before everything had gone sideways.
She shook her head, trying to wash away the memory.This is dangerous territory, Aubrey. You know better.
But as her gaze traced the curve of his lips, slightly parted in sleep, she couldn’t help but wonder what might have been if things had gone differently. If he hadn’t left her alone in that hotel room, waking up to nothing.
The ache of that rejection still stung, even after all this time. Yet seeing him like this, vulnerable and unguarded, stirred something within her that she’d thought long buried.
She sighed softly, conflicted emotions warring inside her. Part of her wanted to wake him, to confront him about that night and demand answers. Another part wanted to simply curl up beside him, to feel the solid warmth of his body next to hers.
Instead, she sat up slowly, her muscles protesting as she pushed herself upright on the makeshift bed. She rubbed her eyes, wiping away the last vestiges of sleep as reality seeped in.
Her gaze darted around the room, taking in the empty spaces where her friends had been. No sign of Charly’s infectious laughter, Jaxon’s easy smile, Willow’s comforting presence or Eli’s steady demeanor. They were gone, leaving her alone with…
Gunner.
As if on cue, he stirred on the couch, his eyes fluttering open. Their gazes locked, and Aubrey felt a jolt of electricity course through her. Recognition flickered in his eyes, followed by a mix of surprise and something deeper, more intense.
“Aubrey,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.
She swallowed hard, her heart hammering in her chest. “Gunner,” she replied, barely above a whisper.
The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words and shared memories. Aubrey’s mind raced, recalling their passionate night in Atlanta, the bitter sting of waking up alone and now, this unexpected time alone.
“I guess we’re the last ones standing,” Gunner said, breaking the tension with a wry smile.
Aubrey nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Looks like it,” she agreed, trying to keep her voice steady. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“Neither did I,” he admitted, sitting up and running a hand through his tousled hair. The movement drew Aubrey’s attention to the lean muscles of his arms, and she quickly averted her gaze.
This is ridiculous, she chided herself. You’re not that starry-eyed girl anymore. But even as she thought it, she couldn’t deny the pull she still felt toward him.
She cleared her throat, pushing all that aside. “So, uh, where did everyone go?” she asked.
