Page 25 of The Photograph

How many times will I have to do this?“John, I don’t feel that way about you. I love you, but not like that. And please, stop calling me angel.”

“You used to, Aelin.” He catches my hand I yank out of his grip. “Let me make you happy.”

My first ever boyfriend and I whip our heads toward the door as Gabe walks into the bedroom.

God, can’t he at least have the decency to look tired?If anything, slightly disheveled and dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, he’s even more attractive.

Gabe glowers at John. “Everything okay here?”

When John straightens up and steps in front of me like a freaking human shield, I curl my hands into fists. “Yes, I’m just talking to my—”

Gabe stalks further in. “I didn’t ask you. Aelin, you’re all right?”

Both men face each other like it’s theO.K. Corral, and my blood boils. Sweeping my gaze between the man who’s not sure he wants me and the other who refuses to hear that he’s like a brother to me, I exhale a calming breath.

“I’m fine.” I stride past them. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do.” It takes a real effort not to slam the door behind me.

Once on the ground floor, I retrieve my laptop from the patio and enter the living room where I sit crossed legged on the plastic covered sofa. The pale green of the walls covered with custom-made khaki green and deep blue paisley wallpaper, bring me the calm I need.

Gabe was gone for nine days, and like an idiot, I waited for a text that never came. After four days of silence, I worried and called Ann to ask about her wife—Cynthia’s fine and there were no human casualties—who without me asking, told me Gabe was fine. Busy but fine.

He dangles me. Close, not close. In his arms. At arm’s length.And why does my laptop take a century to freaking load? It’s like…

“Ael, I’m leaving now.”

I look at John who digs in the front pocket of his jeans for his car key and set my stubborn device on the thick sofa cushion to tiptoe to him. “Are we okay?”

He nods with a tight smile. “See you on Sunday?”

“Vania will kill me if I don’t show up,” I say with a grin.

He chortles. “Or worse, she’ll smile at you.”

“God forbid,” I whisper.

We smile at each other before he hauls me in for a fast hug before exiting the room.

I turn off my sleepy laptop.Time to go home, and if I hurry, I won’t have to see Gabe’s stupidly handsome…I wheel around and freeze as Gabe enters the room. The bright light coming from the hallway delineates his powerful legs braced apart and the width of his shoulders as he shoves his hands in his front pockets.

His scowl from earlier is still deeply etched across his brow as he nears me.

“Aelin.”

God, his voice…“Hey, Gabe.”

When the silence stretches between us, I frown. “Is something wrong with Holloway?”

He shakes his head while his eyes narrow, and even that is infuriatingly sexy.

Pulling the strap of my bag over my head and across my chest, I throw my most professional smile at him. “Good. I have to go, but I’ll see you on Monday or next week?”Or whenever you pull your attractive head out of your muscled butt.

Without waiting for an answer, I walk past him.

“Aelin, I didn’t call you—”

Nearly out of the room, I pivot to face him which is a mistake because my heart stutters at the … whatever’s happening in his eyes.

“Gabe, you don’t owe me an explanation. I’m glad you’re all right.”

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