“Where are we going?”
“An old treehouse.”
“Ooh! I always wanted a treehouse.”
He led her to the backyard, where a treehouse was nestled up between two old oaks. It was up on stilts, but also had some wood nailing it to the larger tree.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” she asked, looking at the ladder rungs nailed into the tree.
“Of course it’s safe. My dad tested it out when they first bought the house.” He boosted her up the rungs and followed closely behind.
She went inside. It was just a small platform with thin walls, a roof, and two windows on either side. She could imagine how much fun kids would’ve had up here. Gabe followed her up and laid the rolled flannel shirt down as a pillow for their heads. He lay down and reached for her. “C’mon. Look up.”
She joined him to find a big rectangular hole in the roof. Stars twinkled beyond it. “Don’t you think you should patch the roof?”
“It’s a skylight.” He took her hand. “Without the window cover. Me and my brothers would’ve loved a place like this. My parents only moved here four years ago, so this was some other lucky kids’ hideout.” He pointed. “There’s the big dipper.”
She looked up. The sky was black, and the stars shone brightly in the winter sky. She took in a deep breath, feeling more relaxed than she had all night. “This is nice.”
“Yeah, gives you a little perspective,” Gabe said. “And peace and quiet.”
Just then they heard male voices arguing from somewhere in the backyard. “Who’s that?” she whispered.
“Dad and Vince,” he whispered back.
A few minutes later, a car door slammed and took off with a loud screech of tires. “Vince took off,” Gabe said. “He’s a hothead, if you couldn’t tell.”
“My sister’s a bit of a hothead too,” she confided.
He wrapped an arm around her. “Then we have that in common. We should get them together.”
“She’s married.”
“Too bad. Vince needs someone to put him in his place. Otherwise he just runs amok.”
“I really hope your stepdad’s okay,” she said.
“Yeah.” He let out a shaky breath. “Me too.” And just like that Zoe decided to stay a little longer. She had to give Next American Voice her answer tomorrow. She’d been waffling between the exposure and feeling like she was selling out, but now she knew for sure the answer was no. It would be okay for them, they had a huge waiting list of contestants. A weight lifted off her shoulders. She’d hang on a little longer for something to come through with her band. And she’d have a little more time with Gabe.
Angel called up to them. “I knew I’d find you here. Ma wants you inside for dessert, and she says don’t think you’re getting away with just soaking the pots.”
Gabe groaned.
“I’m just the messenger,” Angel replied with a smile in his voice.
Gabe helped her up. He went down ahead of her. She started to walk with them when Angel pulled her aside and whispered, “I did the pots for him. Don’t tell.”
She grinned. “You really are an angel.”
He shook his head with a smile. “Nah.”
They returned to the table for homemade cannoli, which they all declared was the best they’d ever had while Mr. Marino beamed at the praise. He told her he was the main cook around here. Without Vince there, the group was subdued with only a little quiet conversation. Their dad’s health was on everyone’s minds, she could tell, and Vince leaving just seemed to emphasize that something wasn’t right. The brothers took their leave with a few serious handshakes with their dad, who gamely smiled and tried to put on a cheerful face. Zoe had never felt so much sadness and love at the same time.
“I’m fine,” Mr. Marino kept saying. “I’ll be fine.”
“Call me if you need anything,” Luke said. “The best doctors are in the city.”
“I’ve got connections,” Jared said.
“Be strong,” Nico said with a manly handshake, pat-on-the-back kind of hug.
“Call me if you want someone to go to the hospital with you,” Angel said.
“You call me as soon as you know more,” Gabe demanded.
“See what you started, Allie?” Mr. Marino complained.
“We all love you,” Mrs. Marino said, wrapping both arms around his waist from behind. He turned and wrapped an arm around his petite wife, kissing her on top of the head.
“Thank you for having me,” Zoe said.
“Sorry to bring you into such an embarrassing night,” Mr. Marino said. “It wasn’t my idea to talk about my colon.”
“It was wonderful to see such a close-knit family,” Zoe said. “Reminds me of my own.”
Gabe moved by the door, in serious conversation with Jared.
Mr. Marino nodded. “We hope to see more of you around here.”
“Thanks,” Zoe said.
“Gabe hasn’t brought any girlfriends around since he lost Alyssa,” Mrs. Marino said.
A lump formed in her throat. Gabe had lost so much and now his stepdad was sick. She really wanted to be there for him.
“Don’t speak of it,” Mr. Marino said quietly to his wife. “It tore him up.”
She stared at Gabe, who looked up and crossed to her side. “Why’s everyone so serious over here?”
“We were just saying we’d like to see more of Zoe around here,” Mrs. Marino said.
“I’ll do my best,” Gabe said. His gaze on her was heated and almost possessive, a heady combination that made her insides do a few delicious flips. He said his goodbyes, and then his hand was on the small of her back, guiding her out the door and into his car.
She waited for him to get in. He looked so sad. She hoped her staying would make him feel a little better. “I’m going to tell Next American Voice no tomorrow, so I’ll be sticking around a little longer.”
“You will?” he asked. She couldn’t tell if he was happy or not.
She nodded and smiled. He looked down and then met her eyes. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”
She let out a breath. “Good.”
“You didn’t do it because of me, did you?” he asked. “Because of my stepdad?”
“No,” she said firmly, though if she was honest, it had played a part in her decision. But she knew he wouldn’t want her to feel sorry for him. “That show just wasn’t for me.”
He nodded, started the car, and pulled into the street. “Tell me what you were talking about with my parents.”
She hesitated.
“Tell me,” he ordered in a voice that had her snapping to attention.
“Your mom said you haven’t brought any girlfriends around since you lost Alyssa.”
He blew out a breath. “Yeah.”
“Oh, Gabe, I’m so sorry. You must miss her terribly.”
“I’m sorry she died, but later I realized she was just using me.” He paused. “Maybe we were just using each other. She wanted my money. I wanted someone beautiful on my arm to work the room at parties.” He glanced at her. “I’m ashamed I lived that kind of life.” He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “I’m trying to do better.”
She didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t known him then.
“World’s worst date, huh?” he asked.
“No, it was—”
“Excruciating?”
“Lovely.”
He shook his head. “I don’t deserve you, Zoe, but damn if I don’t want you anyway.”
“Um, thank you?”
He squeezed her hand. “Thank you for being you.”
He was quiet the rest of the way home, and she knew his stepdad’s news weighed heavily on his mind. He dropped her off at her front door with a chaste kiss to the forehead, then quickly left. A few moments later, she heard his car take off again. She let herself inside for a joyful reunion with Fred, hugging him close, wishing she could’ve done more to ease Gabe’s worry.
&nbs
p; ~ ~ ~
Gabe was out of sorts all week. He kept calling home to find out his stepdad’s test results, but there were numerous tests scheduled going into next week, so there was nothing definite yet. The uncertainty was killing him. He’d already lost his biological father, he’d lost Alyssa, he’d lost his twin, and now it looked like he was going to lose Vinny, the man who’d treated him like a son from day one, who’d been a real father to him in every way that counted. His own father had been cold, too manly to ever let his own sons know they were loved. It was why Gabe had tried for so many years to gain his approval. He’d managed it when he joined his father’s law firm, but at what price? His brothers resented him. His father grudgingly gave him respect, groomed him to take over, but only as a good worker bee not as a son. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing Vinny.
Which was why he found himself stopping by Garner’s on Friday night to ask Zoe to run away with him.
“What’re you doing this weekend?” he asked. Her hair was pinned up and despite his dark mood, he found himself fixated on her long neck and the dip in her collarbone. He wanted to taste her there and a lot of other places too.
“I’m supposed to be working here tomorrow, but only until four.”
“Can you get someone to cover for you?” he asked urgently. He needed her light in his life, even if he felt selfish for wanting it with his dark history.
Her dark brown eyes were full of concern as she slid into the seat across from him. “Are you okay?”
He shook his head. “I just need to get away. You want to be spontaneous with me? Just show up at the airport and take the next flight out?”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I can’t stop thinking about Vinny,” he admitted. “I need to get away. Anywhere. Just not think about it for one minute.”
She nodded. “You got it. I’ll get someone to cover for me.”
He let out a breath. “Thank you.”
“You’ll have to buy me dinner,” she said, standing again with a broad sunny smile. “I want steak from you, mister.”
He soaked in that smile. That infectious energy. Zoe was exactly what he needed. “You got it, and a whole lot more.”
She cocked her hip, all saucy. “I like the sound of that.” She headed off to the kitchen, and he snagged her wrist just as she passed by him.
“You’ll like the feel of it even more,” he said just for her ears.
“Grr-owr!” She swiped her claws at him like a tigress and went on her way, hips swaying in snug black pants.
He smiled to himself. This was the best idea he’d had in a long time.
~ ~ ~
“Ready to be spontaneous?” Gabe asked when he arrived at Zoe’s door Saturday morning.
“Yup, I’m all packed.”
He snagged her small suitcase. His was already in the car. He put it in the trunk, got in, and turned to her. “Nervous?”
“Not at all,” she said. “I love an adventure!”
“Good,” he replied. Why should she be nervous? Just because he intended to share the hotel room, the bed, and her body as much as humanly possible. He glanced at her, looking so fresh and young and sweet. Had he ever been that open to life? So carefree? He felt it only fair to give her a heads-up that he had intentions. If she wanted to back out, now was the time to speak up. He’d put it to her gently. Ask permission like the good-for-you lima-bean boyfriend he was really trying to be.
“We’re sharing a hotel room,” he said.
“I figured,” she said. “I brought cash for my plane ticket. Can’t afford the hotel too.”
He studied her, hoping they were on the same page here. She beamed back. “I’m so excited to make your dream come true! Spontaneous travel wherever fate takes you.”
He was excited too. For a very different reason. She couldn’t really be that innocent. She’d humped his leg like a champ when they’d kissed the other night. Remembering that, he smiled to himself and headed to the airport.
When they got to the airport ticket counter, Gabe asked for two tickets on their next flight out and waited in breathless anticipation for where spontaneity might take them. He glanced at Zoe, who smiled back while the counter attendant looked it up on the computer.
“That would be Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,” the man said. “Any luggage?”
Gabe and Zoe exchanged a look and burst out laughing. So much for exotic, last minute travel. “You still want to go?” Gabe asked her.
“Absolutely. I love Pittsburgh.” He had a feeling she would’ve said that to any destination.
“Two tickets to Pittsburgh it is, then.” Gabe pulled out his wallet.
Zoe handed a wad of bills to the counter attendant. Gabe snatched the money back and handed the guy his credit card.
“Gabe, I’m paying for my ticket.”
“This trip was my idea.”
“I know, but I went along with it.” She tried to put the money in his hand, but he made a fist and turned back to the counter. The guy swiped his credit card. There.
Next thing he knew, her hands wrapped around him from behind, and both her hands slid into his front pockets. He went utterly still as one hand was very close to a very interested part, and realized just as she pulled away that her money was now sitting in his pocket.
She appeared at his side, bumped him with her hip, and grinned cheekily.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I’d accuse you of being sneaky, but I enjoyed it a little too much.”
She laughed. They showed their IDs, got the tickets, and headed over to the long security line with their carry-on luggage. When they got to the front, they were both snagged and sent to a private area for a luggage inspection, thorough pat-down, and questioning. Apparently security didn’t like it when you made a last minute ticket purchase.
“Where are you going?” the security guard asked in his no-nonsense voice after Gabe’s luggage and body inspection yielded nothing more interesting than an obscene amount of condoms for a weekend trip.
“Pittsburgh,” Gabe answered.
“Why the last minute?”
“We were being spontaneous.”
“What business do you have in Pittsburgh?”
“Pleasure.”
The security guard cracked an unexpected smile. “Yeah, heh-heh, we saw. You traveling with your girlfriend?”
“Yes.”
“All right. You’re free to go.”
Gabe nodded, put his wallet, cell, and keys back in his pockets, slipped into his shoes, and grabbed his suitcase. Zoe still hadn’t emerged from the private screening area where they took her. Dammit. Their flight left in half an hour. If she didn’t come out soon, he was going to march in there as her lawyer. A few minutes later, she emerged smiling and chatting with the woman security guard about restaurants in Pittsburgh. He couldn’t help but smile, watching her. Zoe took lemons and made lemon bars with whipped cream on top. He was getting goofy, but damn if he didn’t want that sunshiny goodness for himself. She beamed at him and waved, and his heart stuttered.
He was falling for her.
“We’ve got just enough time to catch the flight,” she said. “Let’s go!”
“Not too fast,” he joked. “They’ll think we’re fleeing something.”
“This is ridiculous!”
He grabbed her and swung her around, feeling lighter than he could ever remember. “Let’s go, sunshine.”
Chapter Ten
The flight was short, only an hour and a half, so they got to Pittsburgh with plenty of time to sightsee. Zoe knew even a winter weekend in Pittsburgh could be fun. She’d been there before a few times for gigs in the Strip District, so she planned on being their tour guide.
“I’ll book the hotel,” Gabe said. “You rent the car.” He handed her his credit card.
She handed back the card. “I got it.”
He pushed it back in her hand. “I insist.”
She slipped it into his pants pocket, and h
e went very still. “You can pay for my steak dinner.” She headed for the rental counter.
“Zoe.”
She turned. “What?”
Gabe spoke without looking up from his cell. “Two queens or one king-size bed?”
“Get two beds,” she said automatically and got in line. She traveled with her band all over the country and often shared a room with Jordan with two beds to save money. More for their pockets that way. Of course, Jordan had only actually slept in the room with her one time. He usually found some groupie to hook up with for the night and stayed with a stranger instead.
As she stood in line, she realized that was a dumb answer. This weekend made four weeks of dating Gabe, he’d been wonderful to her so far, and she couldn’t deny the attraction. She turned to tell him one bed would be fine, but he’d stepped outside with his cell, and it was too late.
Twenty minutes later, they headed to the rental lot.
“You didn’t get the sports car,” he said when she led him to the economy section.
“This is less expensive.”
“Yeah, but…” He gestured to the row of shiny red and black sports cars. “I should’ve been more specific.”
She rolled her eyes. “Come on. I promise you’ll still have fun.”
She drove them to the Duquesne Incline, where they took a crowded ride up the hill in a nineteenth-century cable car for a view of the city nestled along the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers. When they got to the lookout point, Gabe put his arm around her as they took in the skyline, the three rivers glistening in the bright sunshine, the two stadiums, Heinz Field and PNC Park, where the Steelers and Pirates played respectively. It was starting to feel like spring now that it was mid-March. She breathed in the clean crisp air.
“It’s nicer than I thought,” Gabe said. “It’s no Spain, but…”
“It’s spontaneous and fun,” she said with a grin.
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Yes. Too bad it’s not baseball season yet. I’d love to see the Pirates play.”
“Next time. You hungry?”
“Starving,” he replied with a hot look that had her stomach fluttering.
“I’ve got the perfect place.”
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