Page 195 of The Path to Loving Him
“Sneak into the house and wake me up the way you did when we were in San Francisco.”
“With your dick in my mouth?” I say, causing him to smirk.
“Yeah, babe, with my dick in your mouth.”
“Tempting. I’ll think about it.” I wink and then shut my door. He leans against his truck as I pull away, but I roll down my window and say, “You’re looking at me that way again.”
“Can’t help it,” he says softly. “I’m infatuated, Gabby.”
My heart flutters. “Same.”
“Okay, this is amazing,” I say as I take in Hattie’s backyard. She went all out.
When she said girls’ night, she was serious.
The backyard’s breathtaking. An infinity pool is the centerpiece of it all, followed by the view of the ocean, with lights strung everywhere, big bulbed ones that are already lit up, preparing for the sun to set. A firepit is surrounded by chairs and a table is set up for making s’mores. The outdoor dining room table looks like something you’d see in a Pottery Barn magazine, dressed to the nines and ready for the ladies to have dinner. Not to mention the personal chef, a.k.a. Hayes, grilling and looking so comfortable doing something for his girl, that it really reminds me of Ryland.
At each place setting is what seems to be spa baskets full of masks, under-eye moisturizers, foot soaks, and my favorite cookies ever.
And I get to not only be a part of this but I’m being welcomed into a group of women who have seem to have accepted mewith open arms all because I’m dating their brother. I remember when I was dating Nathan and met his family for the first time. I was greeted with indifference and sneers. It wasn’t a welcoming environment, yet today when I walked into Hattie’s house, she gave me a hug and told me how happy she was that I was here.
Just seems too good to be true.
I pull my phone out as I walk toward the edge of the backyard where the rocky cliffs start, and I take a seat on the rocks. I send a quick text to Bennett to wish him luck tonight.
He’s been doing a pretty good job since he’s been brought up. He’s had quite a few hits, some clutch ones, some strikeouts. He’s made good plays over at third, and the fans seem to have taken a liking to him, which is important.
Gabby:Good luck tonight. Keep killing it.
To my surprise, he texts me back right away. He must be in the locker room.
Bennett:Thanks, sis. How are you? How’s Coach?
Gabby:Good and good.
Bennett:That’s all you have for me? Good and good?
Gabby:I don’t know what else to say. Everything feels . . . too good to be true right now. I’m afraid if I move the wrong way or say the wrong thing, it will all come crashing down on me.
Bennett:Why the hell would you think that?
Gabby:Because when have good things ever happened for me? It’s just been a grind my whole life, and then I get this job, I move to Almond Bay, and now I’m surrounded by a support system, by a man who truly cares about me, believes in me, and you’re playing in the big leagues. I feel like something bad is bound to happen.
Bennett:Or maybe this is your time to stop the grind and just enjoy what you’ve been able to create for your life. I knowyou’re so used to climbing the ladder. Maybe you’re finally at your destination.
I smile down at my phone, reading his words over and over again as I feel a tightness in my throat and a sting in my eyes.
“What are you doing over here?”
Startled, I look over my shoulder to find Aubree taking a seat right next to me. “Sheesh, you scared me.”
“Sorry.” She chuckles. “You looked lost in thought. I didn’t know how else to break the silence.”
“It’s okay. I was kind of lost in thought.” I dab at my eyes.
“Anything you want to talk about? I’m not much of a talker of feelings, but Wyatt has kind of changed me to believe that if there is something on your chest, you should get it off.”
“Wyatt seems like a very smart man.”
