by Ana Tejano
Gabriel had planned ask her about it the next day, when they saw each other. But the moment they did, Cams had told him that she was going on a date with someone she met online.
And now.
“What do you mean?” Cams asked, her voice was faint, and uncertainty was in her eyes.
“I called you. That night. When we matched.” He saw her flinch slightly. “Why didn’t you answer?”
“But why did you call?” Cams wrung her hands, obviously very distressed. Despite this, Gabriel smiled.
“Didn’t you learn anything about what I told you about online dating?” he asked. “With every match you make, you always let the guy contact you first.”
Silence. The fear in her eyes was barely hidden by the courageous front she held, and he found his affection for her swell a little more.
“You said you weren’t going to like me if you see me on the app,” he said.
“I was just being honest. And you said the same thing too,” Cams replied. Then she pointed at him, lips turned up in a smug smile. “Let’s make it clear, though, that you liked me there first.”
“Are you the only one who’s allowed to be honest?” he shot back, raising an eyebrow. Cams’s shoulders relaxed, and her laughter sent a warm, fuzzy feeling to his stomach. When was the last time he felt like this?
“But surely, you didn’t mean that,” Cams said when her chuckles faded. She looked down and sighed, her shoulders hunching, as she made herself look small again. “I mean, you’re always out, and you’re probably matched with a hundred girls a day, and—”
“I wasn’t out on a date tonight,” he said, since they were both being honest anyway.
“—you probably have another one lined up. What?” Cams gave him a suspicious look. “What do you mean? Then where were you? What happened to the cupcakes?”
“I was working.” After he’d picked up the cupcakes at her house, he’d given them to his mom and mingled with the Saturday evening crowd at the bar. It didn’t seem right that he would be out, and that decision turned out to be a good one after he received Cams’s SOS.
“But . . . why?”
“Because I only want to be with you.” This was his truth.
Cams quickly shut her mouth, her wide eyes staring at him. He wished he had more whiskey in his glass, but when her face softened, Gabriel realized that he didn’t need any more liquid courage. The shock in her eyes gave way to hope, and she sat up straighter. He had what he needed right in front of him, and he knew exactly what to do.
“So since we’ve matched and all,” he said, keeping his eyes on Cams’s as he leaned forward with his elbows on the table, bringing his face closer to hers. He reached out with a tentative hand and laid it on hers, and the caution gave way to certainty when she didn’t pull away. Cams’s hand was cold, but as he turned it around so he could hold it properly, he felt warmth slowly seep back through her skin.
“Will you go on a date with me, Camilla?”
Gabriel felt her tremble against his hand, and she closed her eyes briefly, letting out a soft sigh as he said her name. It seemed like forever before she responded, but it was really just a few seconds after he had asked when a smile spread slowly on her face and she nodded.
“Yes, I would love to go out with you.”
He wanted to jump, to shout in victory, but he reminded himself that it was just the first date. It was too early to say anything. Gabriel squeezed her hand instead and asked, “Tomorrow, then? Six?”
Cams grinned at him, tugging at his hand to tap the watch on his wrist. It was just past nine in the evening. “The night’s still young. How about now?”
The End
If you liked this story, you can read more of Cams in Fall Like Rain, also available in Amazon, Smashwords, Buqo, and in print-on-demand (PH Only).
Acknowledgments
This started as a #WriteBreakupSongsAbout story, inspired by One Direction’s Night Changes. I obviously didn’t finish it on time because of Filipino ReaderCon 2015 happened. When I picked it up again, I realized that not finishing it then was fine, because I was far too talkative for the word count limit.
Many thanks to these wonderful people for their help:
Nikka, Jev, and Elaine, for beta-reading, and WanderingMeekay on Wattpad for following the first draft story.
Rix, for editing. And for that crazy LSS. The search is over… :)
The lovely #romanceclass authors and readers, for the subtle pressure, encouragement, inspiration and feelings, all day, everyday. I’m so happy to be a part of this community.
You, for taking a chance on Cams and Gabriel.
And finally, God – because I would be nothing without Your gift of words. To Jesus, through Mary.
About the Author
Ana Tejano has been in love with words and writing ever since she met Elizabeth Wakefield when she was in Grade 3. She has contributed several non-fiction pieces in print and online publications, and has been blogging for years. When she’s not writing, she works as a communications manager for a start-up company by day, and serves in her church community in every other time that she doesn’t spend reading or sleeping. She lives in Metro Manila and is also known by another name in her other circles (but it’s not a secret identity, really).
Contact Ana:
Website: www.anatejano.com
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @itstimeana
Facebook: http://facebook.com/itstimeana
Instagram: @storiestotell
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/anatejano
Also by Ana:
Fall Like Rain
Keep the Faith (out June 2016)
Want more feelings? Check out more romance novels by Filipino authors at http://www.romanceclassbooks.com/.