Goose bumps crawl across my flesh and my nipples pebble against my T-shirt. I’m pretty sure the guys notice too, because their eyes home in on my boobs.Breathe, Lo. Just breathe and calm your damn tits. This is what I get for forgetting to pack a bra. “Right. We have a ... thing.”
“Yeah, okay. Maybe next time you’re in town then.”
“Sure, dude,” Gabe agrees. “Sounds good.”
I smile. “Well, we should go help Tommy and Mace pack up or they’re going to be pissed.”
“Good to meet you, Lo.”
“Yeah, you too. Thanks for the hit.”
I turn and head for the doors. Gabe falls into step with me and a beat later his hand grabs mine. I stare down at our threaded fingers, ignoring the frisson of heat and electricity that jolts through me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t kno—”
Gabe pulls me to him, his warm palms come up and cup the sides of my face. I stare at him in shock, praying he’ll kiss me, begging him to kiss me without saying a word, because I can’t open my mouth. I can’t get the words out. This is my best friend,and though there’s nothing I want more in the entire world, he’s with someone else, and I can’t afford to lose him.
He searches my gaze. My pulse thuds against his wrists, and I know he feels it too. He leans down and his lips cover mine. His tongue pushes into my mouth, sliding against my own. My hands grip his shirt and pull him closer, until his large body is flush with mine. My heartbeat dips and butterflies start a riot in my belly. I moan against his mouth. Gabe’s grabby hands press me closer, and a low rumble reverberates through his chest.
A beat later, we come up for air. Nobody stops to look at us outside the grand hall. No one cares. They don’t understand how monumental this is. My best friend just kissed me.Holy shit. My best friend just kissed me ... and he’s in a relationship.
“Oh my god.”
“I ... er ...”
“You didn’t mean to do that, I get it. No big deal.”
“Lo—”
“No. it’s fine, Gabe. We both took it too far. It was a mistake. It’s fucking freezing out here. Are you cold? My hands are like ice.”
“Lo, will you shut up and let me talk?”
“Yeah, okay. But before you say anything, I know. I know you’re dating Annie and that was some kind of weird accident and whatever happens in Tahoe stays in Tahoe.”
“Lo!” Gabe grabs the sleeve of my jacket and pulls me back to him. “Jesus, woman. Will you quit talking for five fucking seconds?”
I open my mouth, but my words vanish, and all that comes out is a long, audible sigh.
“That wasn’t a mistake.”
My eyes widen as I stare up at him. “What?”
He presses a finger to my lips and the corner of his mouth quirks up in that very “Gabe” grin. “That was no accident. Itwasn’t a mistake. I’ve thought about kissing you every day since we met.”
“But ... you’re ... you’re with Annie.”
He takes a deep breath and exhales, pressing his forehead to mine. “Yeah. I’m going to need to have a conversation with her. I don’t ... I don’t know what this means for us, but I can’t be with her when all I can think about is you. It isn’t fair, and I’m not trying to pressure you, but I think we owe it to ourselves to explore this.”
“Gabe.” I take his hand and press it against my thundering heart. “I’m all in.”
He smiles and leans in. Cupping my cheek, he kisses my forehead.
All in. We’re finally all in. I’m in love with my best friend, and he may even love me back. At the very least, we’re doing this. I’m finally out of the freaking friend zone, and as he takes my hand and leads me toward the entrance of the grand hall, I can’t hide my smile, and I don’t bother pretending that kiss didn’t just change everything.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN