Page 73 of Clinically Delicious
“And I’m someone who understands that life is short and funnel cake is delicious.”
Megan giggled. “Can we get both? Cotton candy AND funnel cake?”
Gabriel sighed. “Fine. But you’re eating actual dinner when we get home.”
“Deal!”
We got funnel cake (for me and Megan), a corndog (for Gabriel, because apparently, he was a corndog person, which was somehow both surprising and perfect), and cotton candy (also for Megan, because the kid had negotiation skills).
We sat at a picnic table, and I watched Megan systematically destroy her cotton candy while getting it everywhere—her face, her hands, her dress, possibly her hair.
“You’re a mess,” I said affectionately.
“You have powdered sugar on your nose,” she countered.
“What?” I reached up, trying to wipe it off.
“Other side,” Gabriel said.
I tried again. “Gone?”
“No.” He reached over, his thumb brushing against my nose, wiping away the sugar.
Time stopped.
His thumb was on my nose. His eyes were on mine. We were sitting at a carnival picnic table, and he was touching my face, and I couldn’t breathe.
“There,” he said quietly. “Got it.”
“Thanks,” I managed.
Megan was watching us again, that same delighted expression on her face.
She’s definitely getting ideas.
I’m definitely getting ideas.
This is bad.
We did more rides—the swings, the carousel, some spinning thing that made Megan shriek with laughter and made me question my life choices.
Gabriel stayed close the entire time.
Not hovering, exactly. Just... present.
When I stumbled getting off the spinning ride, his hand was immediately on my elbow, steadying me.
When Megan wanted to go on the carousel, he stood next to my horse, his hand resting on the pole, close enough that I could feel the warmth of him.
When we walked through the crowd, his hand occasionally touched my lower back, guiding me, making sure I didn’t get separated.
Small touches. Casual touches.
Touches that felt anything but casual.
This isn’t professional. This isn’t boss-and-employee. This is something else.
And the terrifying part?
