Livvy nodded. “Me too.”
Chapter Eight
The following morning, Livvy almost bounded out of bed even though the sunlight had woken her long before her alarm.
A slow smile built across her face as her mind turned back to the previous evening. Sharing her past with Gabe had been the right thing to do because she felt lighter—as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Finally, she could stand tall and almost pain free. She could barely believe they’d met less than a week ago. He was incredibly easy to talk to. He didn’t interrupt, and he gave her his full attention. Those intense green eyes read every nuance in her body language and every inflection in her voice. He understood the things she’d said, as well as the things she hadn’t.
And to think she’d assumed he was an egotistical dick after their initial meeting at Sam’s bar. Oh, she had no doubt he had a big ego—What successful businessman didn’t?—But he was also thoughtful, kind, caring… and hot.
Livvy climbed out of the shower and dried herself off. After slipping into a T-shirt and shorts, she padded into the kitchen and stuck two slices of rye bread into the toaster. While she waited for the toast to pop, she picked up her phone. No missed calls or texts from Gabe, although when he’d left the previous night after her “on-the-cheap” shrink session, they’d made no further plans.
Livvy rubbed the back of her neck as a heaviness settled in her stomach. Why hadn’t she asked him to call? What if she’d scared him off with her neurosis and he decided he didn’t need a complication like her in his oh-so-wonderful life?
She chewed on the inside of her cheek. When they were together, he pushed away all negative thoughts, but when he wasn’t around, she was fraught with self-doubt. All of the uncertainty about why he wanted to spend time with her came flooding back, and the heavy burden of guilt that returned when he wasn’t close made her stomach twist with anxiety. And that brought its own concerns. She was enjoying being with Gabe a little too much, already relying on him to make her feel better. Maybe some distance would do her good.
After eating her breakfast outside, she wandered into the kitchen, leaving the door open so that she could hear the birds tweeting. Her phone dinged with an incoming text. She glanced at the banner across the screen—Gabe. With sweaty palms and trembling hands, she swiped at her cell.
Hope you’re feeling okay today. Are you free later? Say around twelve?
Livvy twisted her hair into a knot before she typed a reply.
What did you have in mind?
She stared at her phone, willing it to make the text sound she realized she was starting to crave. Such a simple sound had a hell of a thrill attached to it. She didn’t have to wait long.
Do you own a pair of hiking boots?
She tapped a response. No.
She hung on, waiting for another text from him, but when one wasn’t forthcoming, her shoulders dropped. She picked up the latest novel that had captured her attention and headed back outside. She still had an hour before her Skype call with Ches, and she wasn’t in the mood for a run.
She’d only read a couple of chapters when she heard a knock at her door. She put the book down beside her and climbed to her feet, a frown drifting across her face. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Then her pulse jolted. God, maybe it was Gabe. She took a quick glance at her reflection, tucked a few strands of stray hairs behind her ears, and cursed the lack of makeup on her pasty face.
With a deep breath, she peeked through the peephole. It wasn’t Gabe. Leaving the chain on, she opened the door and peered through the gap.
“Miss Hayes?” the guy asked.
“Yes,” she replied in a suspicious tone.
“I have a package for you.”
Livvy raised her eyebrows. “I’m not expecting anything.”
The delivery guy shrugged. “Can you sign here?” Through the small gap in the door, he passed her a clipboard with a pen attached by a grubby piece of string. Livvy scrawled her signature and handed it back.
He held up the large box. “Want me to leave this here?” He seemed legit, but she had no intention of taking any chances.
“Please.” She waited until he’d disappeared around the corner before closing the door to remove the chain. After picking up the box, she took it inside and went to the kitchen drawer that contained all manner of paraphernalia. She grabbed a box cutter and sliced through the tape.
She folded back the cardboard and pulled out reams of packaging. Nestled at the bottom were a pair of stout-looking hiking boots and a set of thick socks. Livvy’s mouth fell open. This couldn’t be a coincidence. Not thirty minutes before, Gabe had asked her if she owned a pair, and now, miraculously, a pair had been delivered.
She turned them over and looked at the sole and saw they were a size seven. Goddamn, the man had even picked the correct size.
“What the hell?” she muttered to herself. She reached for her phone and stabbed out a quick text. Ask me again about the boots.
Within seconds, he replied.
Do you own a pair of hiking boots?
Livvy began typing but then changed her mind about what she was going to say. Finally she typed out a text.
No, I don’t. However, rather worryingly, I’ve just had a pair gifted that happen to be my exact size. Oh, and socks too. Care to comment?
Yeah, he replied. Be ready by noon.
Livvy clenched her jaw. She almost called him but decided to wait until they were face-to-face. Then she would have a serious conversation with him about boundaries.
The reminder on her phone popped up, telling her it was time to call Ches. Livvy settled down in front of the TV and went into her apps. She dialed Ches’s number and waited for her connection.
Ches’s face appeared on the screen, and Livvy’s irritation with Gabe’s high-handed approach faded into the background.
“Hey, my lovely. Good to see you.”
Livvy grinned. “You too, Ches. Looking good, hon.”
Ches rolled her eyes. “You obviously can’t see the spot right in the middle of my forehead that decided to spring up from nowhere on the very day I have a date.”
Livvy leaned forward. “A date? Tell all.”
Ches looked at her directly. “I will… after you tell me what’s made your eyes sparkle in a way I haven’t seen in far too long.”
Livvy laughed out loud. She’d never been able to keep anything from Ches, who’d always seen through her as easily as looking through clear glass.
Livvy nibbled on her thumbnail and gave a coy smile. “I might have sort of met someone, although not really. Honestly, I’m not sure what it is. Could be nothing. Could be something.”
Ches’s face grew larger as she crept closer to the screen. “I want to know everything. Spill.”
Livvy gave a quick recap of the last few days.
Ches’s shocked expression when Livvy told her she’d jumped out of a plane was priceless. “So, who is this miracle worker who has brought out an adventurous side of you that I’ve never seen.”
Livvy inhaled a deep breath through her nose. “His name’s Gabe Mitchell.”
Ches wrinkled her nose. “What does he do?”
“He owns a company,” Livvy said.
“What sort of company?”
When Livvy mentioned the name, Ches’s eyes widened. “Livvy, that’s one of the biggest companies in the world. Hell, that company makes the bloody phone I’m talking to you on.”
Livvy giggled. “I know.”
“Holy fuck.” Ches’s mouth parted, and she shook her head as though she had water in her ears. “Hang on. I’m Googling him.”
Her face disappeared for a few minutes. When she returned, the previous delight had faded, and in its place was a very serious-looking Ches. “Oh, Liv, are you sure? I mean, he seems a bit of a playboy. According to Google, he’s only had one serious relationship, and that seems to have been with a woman whose face looks so stiff from being injected with Botox, I’m surprised she ca
n move it at all.”
Livvy tensed her spine. “I’ve only had one serious relationship.”
“It’s hardly the same,” Ches said with concern. “This guy seems to go through women as fast as I go through wine. They’re all one-date wonders.”
“Well, as I’m on date three today, I’d say I’m not doing too badly.”
Ches gave Livvy a pained stare. “Be careful. That’s all I’m going to say. Don’t get me wrong, Liv. I’m beyond thrilled you’re finally coming out the other side of a hell that would have finished off most people, but please take care on this one. I say that from a position of love, not because I’m such a bitch that I want to strip the first genuine smile from your face I’ve seen since Mark died.”
Livvy rubbed at her eyebrow. “I know you are, and I will be careful. I promise. I only want to have a little fun.”
“As long as you tell yourself that’s all it is, then go for it. God knows you deserve all the happiness you can find. But do me a favor, please. Keep reminding yourself that this guy doesn’t do relationships. As long as you have that at the forefront of your mind, then when he moves on, you’ll have at least protected yourself.”
A hollow feeling spread through Livvy’s stomach—a sensation that scared the hell out of her—because she knew that Ches was right. Yet the level to which her words stung was worrying.
“I promise.” She kept her face neutral and her tone light. “Now, let’s hear all about this date of yours.”
Fifteen minutes later, Livvy ended the Skype call. She looked forward to her weekly chats with Ches but wished she hadn’t bothered today. Ches’s frankness was something she hadn’t wanted to hear, even though she knew her friend only had Livvy’s best interests at heart. She’d spent the last two years in such terrible pain and turmoil, most days not wanting to live, yet the last few days had taught her that she had so much to look forward to. She didn’t expect this thing—whatever it was—with Gabe to last, but that didn’t mean she shouldn’t go with it and live a little. Her heart was so damaged anyway that she was sure another few cuts wouldn’t make too much of a difference.
Half an hour before noon, she got ready, pulled on the hiking boots, which fit perfectly, and waited for Gabe to arrive.
Chapter Nine
The knock at Livvy’s door shot her heart rate into overdrive. She took a calming breath before opening it. Gabe stood on the other side, wearing a smirk, board shorts, a navy T-shirt, which stretched across the tight muscles of his chest, and a pair of stout walking boots.
His gaze skimmed over her, settling on her boots for a second, before he lifted his eyes to her face. “Oh, good. They fit. Ready?”
His laissez-faire attitude triggered her annoyance scale, which was quickly climbing upward. Livvy crossed her arms over her chest. “A little presumptuous of you, don’t you think?” She fixed him with a hard stare.
A brief frown drew down his brows, then he hit her with a smile so dazzling, she considered putting on sunglasses. “You’re wearing them now, so I can’t take them back.”
Livvy expelled an irritated sigh. “It’s not about that.”
“Then what is it about?” he asked. But before she could answer, he said, “Let’s have this argument on the way. We need to get going.”
Livvy gritted her teeth as she grabbed her keys. “Fine. Do I need anything else?”
Gabe shook his head. “It’s all in the car.”
He turned around and set off towards the elevator. Livvy slammed the door to her apartment and marched after him. Something about Gabe had changed. Since she’d told him about the accident, he’d stopped treating her with kid gloves. This Gabe was much more authoritative, and if she were being honest with herself, she kind of liked it. He was very different than Mark, not only in looks, but also in personality, which was a good thing. She didn’t want to be reminded of Mark when she was with Gabe. It made the swathes of guilt easier to keep at bay, almost as if she’d split herself in two. The Livvy who’d been married to Mark wasn’t the same Livvy who was trotting after Gabe.
By the time she reached the elevator, he’d already pressed the call button. His lips twitched as he caught sight of her face, which continued to reflect her irritation.
“A good hard hike up a mountain should get rid of all the negative energy you’re dragging along, Livvy. It’s a pair of boots. Get over it.”
Yep, she’d been right about his change in attitude. A shiver crept up her spine, which, on examination, she recognized as excitement. Most people she knew had walked on egg shells around her for more than two years, and their careful treatment of her had gotten much worse after she’d tried to kill herself. As she peeked into the light and realized she had a chance for a future, she knew she didn’t want to be treated like that anymore. She wanted to be called out on her shit. The only one who came close to doing that was Ches, and even she considered every word spoken for fear Livvy would regress and try to take her own life once more.
But ever since Livvy had met Gabe, she could feel herself changing—and that thrilled her.
As they stepped out into the dazzling sunshine, Gabe dropped his aviator sunglasses into place. They hid his sharp green eyes, making him harder to read, though his twitching lips told her he still found her annoyance amusing.
He held open the car door and gallantly waved his arm. “I take it this is okay? Or would you prefer to open your own door?”
Livvy’s first response was to narrow her eyes, but as his lips curved even further upward until he was full-on laughing, she cracked a smile. “You’re an ass.”
He gave her a playful nudge with his shoulder. “I thought you British types preferred ‘arse’.”
“Ass suits you better, especially as it doubles up as another name for a mule.”
Gabe’s laughing grew louder as he closed the door behind her and walked around the hood before climbing in the driver’s side.
“Where are we going, anyway?” Livvy asked as he clipped his seat belt in place and fired up the engine.
Gabe glanced over his shoulder and began reversing. “Echo mountain.”
Livvy wrinkled her nose. “Never heard of it.”
He glanced over at her. “It’s in the San Gabriel Mountains—my namesake,” he said with a wink. “It’s a hard hike, but I think you’re up to it. I’ve brought a picnic, which we can eat at the top. The views are amazing.” He pulled out onto the highway before joining the interstate and heading north.
Livvy stared out the window as they left the city behind. The closer they got to the mountains, the more her restless legs began to twitch. She’d wanted to hike the mountains behind Los Angeles ever since arriving in California, but hiking on her own didn’t appeal. Some activities were better when shared, and she was really looking forward to sharing this one with Gabe.
He eventually pulled into a small parking area and cut the engine. As Livvy stepped outside, the sun beat down on her. She reached back into the car for her baseball cap and pulled it on, feeding her ponytail through the gap at the back. Gabe opened the trunk and lifted out a sizeable backpack. He dug into one of the side pockets and passed her a tube of sunscreen.
“Thanks.” She layered a decent amount on all exposed skin before passing back the tube to Gabe, who followed her lead. They both had a quick drink before Gabe shrugged into the backpack. He took hold of her hand, and they set off up the trail.
As they walked, he pointed out the odd landmark, but mostly they climbed in silence, for which Livvy was grateful because her lungs were burning with a combination of effort and the intense heat from the sun. Every once in a while, they stopped to take in fluids before setting off once more.
When they reached the summit, Livvy planted her hands on her hips and took a moment to catch her breath. It hadn’t been a long climb, but it had been steep, and her lungs were protesting the effort. Gabe, on the other hand, appeared completely unaffected.
“You’re very fit,” Livvy said between panting breath
s.
Gabe waggled his eyebrows at her. “Thanks, darlin’, although you’re not the first woman to tell me that.”
Livvy rolled her eyes. “I meant exercise-wise.”
Gabe chuckled. He set the backpack on the ground and pulled her close. The peaks of their baseball caps clashed, and Livvy giggled.
Gabe twisted his cap back to front then dropped his hands to her waist once more. “Got your breath back?”
Livvy nodded, her giggles receding as Gabe looked into her eyes. His earlier mirth had disappeared. He stepped closer to her and bent his head. His lips hovered inches away before he brushed them softly over hers. Livvy’s stomach clenched deliciously, and she pressed herself closer to him, but Gabe disappointed her by stepping back.
He righted his cap and bent down to pick up the backpack. “Follow me.” He pointed straight ahead. “It’s quieter over there.”
He stopped at a relatively flat area and unzipped the backpack. He reached inside and pulled out a blanket, laying it on the ground and then indicating for her to sit.
In minutes, he’d set up a whole picnic with tasty sandwiches, pastries, and fruit, along with a half bottle of champagne, two glasses, and a large bottle of water.
“I can’t believe you hoisted all that up the mountain,” Livvy said.
Gabe winked. “I’m fit. Remember?”
Livvy groaned. “Not going to live that down in a hurry, am I?”
Gabe shook his head. “Nope.”
Livvy grabbed a sandwich and bit into it. “Did you pack this yourself, Mr. Chef Extraordinaire?”
Gabe tilted his head to one side. “Are you mocking me, Hayes?”
Livvy grinned. “You make it too easy.”
“Hmm, we’ll see about that. Actually, no, my housekeeper did.”
She nodded. “Well, tell her…” She paused. “Her, right?” When Gabe nodded, she continued. “Tell her she’s a bloody marvel. These sandwiches are amazing.”
My Gift To You Page 6