Chapter 75
Theo and Daphne
Daphne pulled back just enough to stare down at her hand, her breath catching as the dim candlelight reflected off the delicate vintage ring. It was stunningâelegant and timeless, yet completely her. The weight of it on her finger sent a shiver down her spine, a physical reminder that this was real.
For a moment, she just stood there, her fingers delicately tracing over the band, her heart hammering in her chest. And then, suddenly, it hit her all at once.
She was engaged.
To Theo.
A sharp, giddy laugh burst from her lips as she started bouncing on the balls of her feet, her excitement bubbling over like champagne.
"Oh my God," she whispered, her wide, tear-filled eyes snapping to Theo. "Oh my God, I'm engaged!"
Theo's laughter rumbled through the air as he watched her, his expression utterly enchanted. He had never seen her like thisâso open, so unguarded, so happy. And it did something to him, twisted something deep inside his chest until he thought he might break from the sheer force of how much he loved her.
"You're really loving this, huh?" he teased, his grin stretching impossibly wide. "If I had know you would be this happy, I would have asked you to marry me sooner."
Daphne let out another excited squeal before launching herself at him, her arms flinging around his neck as she jumped into his arms. Theo caught her with ease, his hands gripping her thighs as she wrapped her legs around his waist, holding onto him like she never wanted to let go.
He barely had time to steady himself before she grabbed his face and kissed himâdeeply, desperately, pouring all her overwhelming joy into him. Theo groaned into her mouth, one arm tightening around her waist while the other slid into her hair, keeping her close as he kissed her back just as fiercely.
Laughing against his lips, Daphne pulled away just enough to beam at him, her breath hitching as she brushed her nose against his. "I'm going to be Mrs. Daphne Silvano."
Theo let out a breathless chuckle, spinning them around as he held her close, their laughter mixing with the soft flicker of candlelight.
"This...," he murmured, his forehead pressing against hers. "Is my dream come true, princess."
And as they stood there, wrapped up in each other, lost in the moment, Daphne realizedâthis wasn't just happiness.
This was the start of forever.
Breathless and still buzzing with excitement, Daphne finally loosened her grip on Theo and let her legs slide down from around his waist. She landed on her feet, her hands still clinging to his shoulders as she looked up at him, her eyes shining.
"I need to call Lily," she blurted, her voice filled with urgency.
Theo chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course you do."
Daphne didn't even wait for a responseâshe spun around, grabbed her phone off the table, and frantically tapped Lily's contact. The second the call connected, Daphne barely gave Lily a chance to say hello before shoving her hand into the frame.
"Look!" she shrieked, wiggling her fingers to show off the ring.
On the other side of the screen, there was a beat of silence. Then, suddenlyâ
"OH MY GOD!!"
Lily's face exploded into view, her wide eyes darting between Daphne's grinning face and the ring. "OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD!" she kept screaming, nearly dropping her phone in the process.
Daphne started laughing, bouncing on her toes as the excitement bubbled over. "I know!" she squealed.
Lily let out another ear-piercing shriek before flailing her arms. "You're engaged!"
"I'm engaged!!"
The two of them started yelling in sync, their squeals and laughter overlapping as they jumped up and down, completely losing their minds in pure, unfiltered joy.
Theo, still standing in the middle of the candlelit room, watched with an amused smirk, arms crossed as he shook his head.
"Lily, he actually did it!" Daphne said, still caught up in Lily's excitement.
Lily gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "I told you he was obsessed with you! Tell me everythingâwas it romantic? Did you cry? Did he cry?"
Daphne let out a breathless laugh, glancing back at Theo, who just rolled his eyes with a fond smile.
"I think he almost passed out, honestly," she teased, winking at him.
Theo huffed a laugh. "I will take that ring back, Sunshine."
Lily screamed again, completely ignoring him. "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! MY BROTHER IS GETTING MARRIED! I'M GETTING A SISTER!"
Daphne giggled, her heart so full it felt like it might burst. She turned back to Theo, her eyes softening as she reached for his hand.
"Yes," she whispered, giving his fingers a squeeze.
____________________
Mason and Wendy
As the roundtable meeting wrapped up and Mason was praised for his work with the Extraordinary Love Stories feature, people slowly filtered out of the room. He accepted the compliments with a polite nod, but his attention was elsewhereâacross the room, where Wendy stood talking to one of the interns, her posture relaxed, her expression unreadable.
"Mason," Kennedy, one of the other writers at Verve, stepped toward him with a smile. "I have to say, this spread is spectacular."
"Thanks, Kenny," he said, barely sparing her a glance before stepping around her, his focus locked on Wendy as she slipped through the door.
His long strides closed the distance between them before she could disappear down the hall. Wendy barely had time to turn before his hand closed around her wristâfirm but careful.
"Are you avoiding me?" Mason's voice was low, his eyes searching hers. "You're not answering my calls."
Wendy quickly glanced around, then took a step closer, lowering her voice. "Why should I?" she murmured, her tone sharp but quiet, making sure no one else could hear.
Mason exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "I just thoughtâ"
She cut him off with a dry chuckle, though it was barely more than a breath. "Let me guess," she whispered, her lips barely moving. "You thought that just because we hooked up, we're something now?" There was amusement in her eyes, but her voice carried an unmistakable warning. "Newsflash, Masonâthat's not how it works."
His expression remained unreadable. "I didn't think we were in a relationship," he admitted, just as quiet. "But maybe we could at least be friends."
Wendy let out a small, disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. "Friends?" she repeated in a hushed whisper, incredulous. "Let's not kid ourselves. We can't be friends. You're my best friend's brother and that's going to stay that stay. That's all."
She pulled her wrist free, giving him a pointed look before walking away, her pace steady, composed. Mason watched her go, jaw tightening, the weight of her words settling over him.
Mason stood there for a moment, watching Wendy disappear down the hall, his jaw tightening as her words sank in.
Her best friend's brother. That's all. Like none of it had mattered. Like she could just erase it.
But he wasn't going to let her get away that easily.
"Wendy," he called after her, his voice still quiet but firm. He caught up to her in a few long strides, falling into step beside her. She kept walking, eyes forward, pretending he wasn't there.
Mason let out a frustrated breath. "Why do you always have to be so cynical?" he asked, his voice low enough that no one else could hear. "Like you have to shut every door before someone even gets the chance to walk through it?"
Wendy's steps faltered for just a secondâso slight that most people wouldn't have noticed. But Mason did.
She turned to him then, her expression smooth, unreadable. "I'm not cynical," she murmured. "I'm realistic."
Mason scoffed, shaking his head. "No. You act like the only outcome is disaster, like nothing good can ever come fromâ" He hesitated, searching for the right word. "âthis."
Her lips parted slightly, and for a fraction of a second, something flickered in her eyes. Doubt? Hesitation? Regret? But just as quickly, it was gone.
"There is no this, Mason," she said, softer now, but no less firm. "What do you want this to be? A relationship? You want me to bake you apple pies and wait for you to come home and have dinner with the kids?"
Mason's jaw tightened, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "That's not what Iâ"
Wendy shook her head, cutting him off before he could find the words. "You're looking for a fairytale," she said quietly. "You want love, a soulmateâsome grand, all-consuming romance that lasts forever." Her voice was even, but there was something almost tired in the way she said it. "And that's great, Mason. Really. I hope you find it."
Her gaze held his, unwavering. "But I don't believe in any of that."
Mason's chest tightened.
Wendy let out a breath, a small, almost imperceptible shake of her head. "I already told you, love like that doesn't last. People change. They leave." Her lips pressed into a thin line. "And I don't waste my time on things that aren't built to last."
Mason stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in.
"So, let's not waste each other's time," Wendy continued, her voice gentle but firm. "We're looking for different things. You want a soulmate. I want something temporaryâif I even want anything at all."
She took a step back, as if putting physical distance between them would solidify her point. "We both know how this ends."
Mason swallowed hard, searching her face for any crack in the armor she'd so carefully put up. But Wendy only gave him one last unreadable look before turning away.
And this time, she didn't look back.
_______________________
Lily
Lily tapped her fingers against the steering wheel as she turned onto the main road leading to her dorm. The streetlights cast a soft glow over the empty roads, and the hum of her car was the only sound filling the quiet night. She exhaled slowly, trying to shake off the exhaustion from the long day of moving all her things to the new apartment.
It wasn't until she switched lanes that she noticed itâa sleek, dark car following her at a steady distance. At first, she dismissed it as a coincidence. A few more turns, she told herself. They'd probably just happen to be going the same way.
But five minutes later, the car was still there.
Her hands tightened on the wheel as unease crept up her spine. She deliberately changed lanes again. The car mirrored her movement. She took an unexpected left turn. The car followed. Her heart began to hammer against her ribs.
Okay. Don't panic.
She tried to shake them by taking a detour, driving down side streets, speeding up when she hit a stretch of open road. No matter what she did, the car remained in her rearview mirror like a shadow clinging to her.
Lily's breath came quicker now. She swallowed hard, gripping the wheel until her knuckles turned white. She thought about calling someone, but who? Wendy? Her brother? The police? Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe it was just paranoia setting in.
But the longer she drove, the more suffocating the fear became. The car never passed her, never slowed downâit just stayed there, unwavering, like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Every nerve in her body screamed at her to do something, anything.
Her vision blurred as panic took hold, her chest tightening with every breath. She pressed her foot down on the gas, weaving through the streets, searching for an escape. Her mind raced through options, but nothing made sense. Where do I go?
Then, through the haze of fear, she realized where she wasâAlexa and Gabriel's neighborhood.
Without thinking, she jerked the wheel to the right, nearly skidding as she turned onto his street. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she sped toward his house, gravel crunching beneath her tires as she pulled into his driveway in a frenzy. She barely threw the car into park before fumbling with the door handle, her fingers trembling as she pushed it open.
Her legs carried her forward before she could process it.
Gabriel stepped out of the garage just as Lily reached him, her breath ragged, her hands shaking.
"Gabriel!" Lily gasped, clinging to him as if he were her lifeline.
Gabriel looked down at her, his face a mixture of surprise and concern. He dropped the bottle of water he was holding as he stumbled back and hooked his arm around Lily'a waist. The sheer panic in her eyes made his stomach drop. His arms closing around her as she gripped the fabric of his shirt.
"Lilyâ" His voice was sharp with concern, but she just clung to him tighter, her entire body trembling against his.
Lily's words tumbled out in a rush, mixing in with her tears. "The car.....It's......it's been following me....."
Gabriel's expression hardened. He pulled back to look at Lily as she shivered, her eyes darting toward the black car.
"I didn't know what to do," Lily stammered.
Gabriel's entire body tensed. His grip on her tightened as his jaw locked, his dark eyes flashing with something lethal. His gaze flickered toward the street, his attention going to the black car parked a few spaces away.
"Go inside," he instructed Lily firmly, his voice steady and reassuring. "Lock the door and don't come out until I get back."
"What are you doing?" Lily asked, her eyes widening.
"I'm going to talk to them," Gabriel said, his voice calm but resolute.
"No, don't!" Lily pleaded, gripping his shirt even tighter.
Gabriel looked down at her, his expression softening. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. Trust me."
"No, please. No," Lily pleaded, her voice breaking, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Gabriel gently but firmly loosened her grip on his shirt. "I promise I'll be careful."
"No, Gabrielâ-"
Lily tried as Gabriel stepped around her and stepped toward the car.
Reluctantly, Lily nodded, her heart pounding with fear and relief. She let Gabriel lead her back to her car, his arm around her, holding her close to himself. As they reached her car, Gabriel opened the door for her and ensured she was safely inside.
Lily's heart was n her throat. She watched Gabriel step onto the road but before he could approach the vehicle, the car's engine suddenly roared to life.
Lily's breath caught in her throat. The car backed up abruptly, then sped out of with a screech of tires.
"Hey!" Gabriel yelled.
Lily hurriedly ran after Gabriel as he tried to get on his motorcycle.
"Stop, stop, stop," she pleaded, grabbing his arm and using all her strength to pull him off the bike. "Let them go!"
"Go inside," Gabriel commanded firmly, his eyes scanning the road where the car had just vanished.
"They're gone," Lily explained breathlessly, tears streaking down her face. "It's over."
Gabriel hesitated, his frustration at not being able to confront whoever was in the car evident on his face. But, slowly, as Lily gripped his arm, he released a tense breath and nodded.
Reluctantly, Lily let go of his arm, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. Gabriel turned to face her fully, "Are you okay?"
Lily nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah...."
Gabriel didn't look convinced. His dark eyes searched her face, taking in the way her chest still rose and fell in uneven breaths, the way her hands trembled even as she tried to hide it. Without a second thought, he stepped closer, closing the space between them.
Gently, he reached up, cupping her face in his hands. His palms were warm, steadyâsuch a stark contrast to the icy fear still clinging to her skin. His thumbs brushed lightly over her cheekbones, grounding her, forcing her to focus on him and not the panic still lingering in her chest.
"You're safe," he murmured, his voice low, certain. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Lily swallowed hard, her throat tightening at the tenderness in his touch. She looked up at him, the weight of everything crashing down all at once, and before she could stop herself, she whispered, "How many more times are you going to have to save my life?"
Gabriel's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. His gaze softened, something unreadable flickering behind his dark eyes.
"As many times as it takes," he said simply.
Lily let out a shaky breath, a laugh breaking through despite the lingering fear. His hands were still cradling her face, his touch impossibly gentle.
Gabriel exhaled, his jaw tightening as he glanced toward the street, his mind already racing through possibilities. He wasn't the type to panic, but the thought of someone following Lilyâof her being in dangerâmade his blood run cold.
"We need to go to the police," he said firmly, dropping his hands from her face but still keeping close.
Lily hesitated, her brows drawing together. "Gabriel, I don't even know who it was. What if they think I'm just overreacting?"
He shook his head, his expression unreadable. "You're not overreacting, angel. Someone was following you. That's not something to brush off." His voice was steady but held an edge of frustration, not at her, but at the situationâat the fact that she had to go through this at all.
She chewed on her lip, still uncertain, but the way he was looking at herâlike he needed her to be safeâmade her nod. "Okay."
Gabriel didn't waste another second. "Come on. I'm driving."
Lily let him guide her to her car, slipping into the passenger seat as he started the engine.
______________________________
Theo and Daphne
Theo lay back against the pillows, one arm tucked behind his head, his bare chest rising and falling in an easy rhythm. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows over his toned skin, but his focus wasn't on himselfâit was on her.
Daphne sat at the foot of the bed, legs crossed, completely enraptured by the ring on her finger. Every few seconds, she tilted her hand, watching the way the light caught the delicate band, how the diamond sparkled like it was made just for her.
And every few seconds, she let out a little squeal, kicking her feet against the mattress.
Theo couldn't stop grinning. He'd never seen her like thisâso utterly and wholeheartedly happy. No guarded looks, no sarcastic quips to deflect emotion, no carefully measured responses. Just pure joy.
"You're gonna wear the diamond down with how much you're staring at it," he teased, voice low and amused.
Daphne gasped, clutching her hand to her chest. "How dare you? This is the most important piece of jewelry I've ever owned." She turned her big, shining eyes on him. "You gave me this."
Theo's chest tightened. His smirk softened into something more tender. "Yeah, Sunshine. I did."
Daphne squealed again, kicking her feet harder. "Oh my God, I love it," she gushed, eyes flicking back to the ring. "I love you. I love this. I love us."
Theo chuckled, shaking his head as he let his eyes roam over herâher wild excitement, the way she was practically glowing with happiness, the soft way her lips curved as she admired something he put on her finger.
He never thought he could love someone this much. But here he was, heart so full it was almost painful.
"Baby," he murmured, his voice turning lazy and warm, "if you keep squealing like that, I might have to do something about it."
Daphne paused, shooting him a look. "Like what?"
Theo smirked. "Come here and find out."
She bit her lip, eyes twinkling. Then, with a delighted laugh, she launched herself up the bed and into his arms, and Theo caught her with ease. He let out a deep chuckle, wrapping her up in his warmth.
But he didn't stop there. With a smooth, effortless movement, he flipped them over, pressing her into the mattress as his body settled over hers.
Daphne gasped, her fingers instinctively tangling in his hair, her heart racing as she looked up at him. Theo's dark eyes burned with love, consuming love, as he hovered above her, his weight deliciously pressing her into the bed.
"There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you," he murmured, his lips grazing hers, teasing, taunting.
Daphne's breath hitched, her hands sliding down to his bare shoulders. "Those are big words."
"They are," Theo smirked. "And I'm a man of my words."
Then, without another word, he captured her mouth in a deep, searing kiss.
It wasn't just a kissâit was possession, devotion, every unspoken promise sealed between them. His lips moved against hers with slow intensity, drawing out every bit of feeling until she was utterly breathless beneath him.
Theo groaned as she tugged him closer, her body arching into him, her fingers gripping at his skin as if she never wanted to let go. He kissed her harder, deeper, his hand cradling her jaw, his thumb brushing over her cheek in a way that made her heart stutter.
He pulled back just enough to whisper against her lips, his breath warm and teasing. "Still staring at the ring?"
Daphne barely managed a dazed smile, her fingers slipping down to splay across his chest. "No. Just you."
Theo exhaled a laugh, pressing his forehead against hers, his lips brushing hers once, twiceâbefore diving right back in.
Daphne opened her arms and welcomed in his warmth. Their legs tangled as Theo's mouth began to trail kisses along her jaw, down her neck and across her colloarbones. Her fingers curled in his hair and she shifted her hips to let him settle in between her legs.
"Mrs. Daphne Silvano," Theo whispered against her ear as his hands began to push the silk slip dress up her thighs and her hips. His large hands were warm, searing Daphne's skin with heat as they traveled up the side of her belly and hooked around her frame.
Daphne's eyes fluttered shut as Theo whispered her soon to be married name into her ear. His voice and his touch pulled goosebumps to her skin as she turned her head and kissed his cheek, holding him close to her body.
"You're my fiance now," she smiled, her lips against his ear. "I'm yours."
"You've always been mine," Theo chuckled, shifting down, leaving trails of kisses down Daphne's chest and belly. "Have you ever doubted that?"
Daphne was in capiable to answering. Her breathing was starting to labor as Theo's lips roamed over her body.
"If you did, then speak now," Theo teased, stopping right between her legs. "So I can erase all that from your mind."
"Well....." Daphne grinned, her eyes mischievous. "There was this timeâ-"
Theo didn't let her finish as he got his head right between her thighs and pushed her hips up. His arms hooked around her legs and he pushed her off the bed, spinning them around so she was now right above his lips.
Daphne squealed as she grabbed the headboard to steady herself. Her hair fell over her shoulders as she looked down at Theo laying on his back between her legs with his arms coiled around her thighs like iron.
"Tell me more," he said, holding her gaze as he darthed out his tongue and lazily licked her fold.
"Oh," Daphne whimpered, her legs quivering.
The sweet soft sound of Theo kissing her inner thigh filled the room. Daphne pushed her hair back and looked own at him as he nudged her pussy closer. She could feel his warm breath on her, making her shiver as he began to kiss her between her legs.
"It's such a fuckin turn on when your legs shake like that," Theo whispered, his lips brushing against Daphne, his words making her belly tighten.
Daphne bit down on her bottom lip and gripped the headboard as Theo slowly dragged his tongue up and down her pussy. She spread her legs a little wider, giving his tongue more access to flick back and forth.
"Mmm," Daphne gasped and whimpered, her body feeling charged like a live wire.
Theo opened his mouth wider as if wanting to consume her all at once. The wet sloppy kisses, the deep sighs of contentment, and the occasional groans he let out when Daphne tried to move was beginning to make her head spin.
"A little more," Theo chuckled seeing the way Daphne was moving her hips, so egar to return the favor and find her release. "Please."
Daphne lowered one hand from the headboard and grabbed his hair. She tiled his head back ever so slightly to find a better angel to his mouth. Theo grinned up at her as she guided his lips back to her and began to circle her hips.
"Yeah, just like that," he whispered. "Keep moving your hips like that, princess."
The impossible need to reach her climax coiled inside Daphne's body like restraints ready to snap. Her thighs tightened around Theo's head as he began to circle his tongue around her swollen bud. Her breathing came heavy and fast and she could feel herself dripping on him.
"You're so close," Theo said as he flipped them over and moved in between Daphne's legs.
"Get inside of me," Daphne began to tug at Theo's black sweats. "Right now."
Theo shifted just enough to remove his sweats and reach for the condoms in the nightstand. His hand found the foil packet and he moved back to put it on himself when Daphne lifted her head, her eyes finding his in the haze that they swam in.
"Do we need that anymore?" She asked.
"What?" Theo looked up and paused.
Daphne sat up and leaned back on her hands. Her lips were inches from Theo, her gaze locked with his.
"Don't you want to put a baby in me?" She whispered.
Theo froze, the foil packet slipping from his fingers as he processed her words. For a second, he thought he might have misheard her, but the way she was looking at himâsteady, certain, with the softest hint of a smileâtold him otherwise.
His breath hitched. His heart pounded. Then, as the realization fully sank in, pure, unfiltered joy flooded through him.
"Say that again," he murmured, his voice rough, almost disbelieving.
Daphne's lips curved, her fingers tracing over his bare chest as she whispered, "I want you to put a baby in me."
A deep, shaky breath left Theo's lungs before a wide, unstoppable grin took over his face. He let out a breathless laugh, almost in awe, like he couldn't believe this was real. Then, without warning, he grabbed her, pulling her into his arms so fast she let out a surprised giggle.
"You mean it?" His voice was softer now, almost vulnerable.
Daphne cupped his face, her thumbs brushing over his cheekbones, her blue eyes shining. "Yes.... I want this with you."
A deep, guttural groan rumbled from his chest before he crashed his lips against hers, kissing her so hard it left them both gasping. His arms tightened around her, holding her close, as if he never wanted to let go.
Theo couldn't stop grinning, his happiness too overwhelming to contain. He kissed her again and again, pressing his forehead to hers, breathing her in.
"You have no idea how happy you just made me," he said.
Daphne laughed against his lips, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pushed her hips up to feet his hard cock. "I think I do."
Theo let out another disbelieving chuckle, running his hands down her back, his voice thick with emotion.
"You're gonna be the mother of my kids," he whispered, almost like he was saying it to himself.
Daphne smiled, kissing him softly. "Yes. I am."
As Theo laid her back down, his hands roaming over her skin with new purpose, he knewâwith absolute certaintyâthis was the happiest he had ever been.
Daphne's eyes shimmered with promises of the future as she parted her legs and Theo moved closer. Her lips parted, feeling his cock graze over her once then twice before Theo took hold of it and pushed it inside of her.
"Deeper," Daphne whispered as Theo hung his head to kiss her.
"Trust me," Theo chuckled. "I'm not letting any of my cum go to waste until you are pregnant."
Daphne lifted one leg and wrapped it around his hips. She felt herself clench as Theo's cock made itself at home inside of her.
Theo's lips never left Daphne's, his hands sliding over her skin with a tenderness that sent warmth pooling deep in her belly. Every touch, every lingering caress, was infused with something moreâsomething deeper than passion.
It was love.
Overwhelming. Intense. Consuming.
His forehead rested against hers, their breaths mingling, heavy and uneven.
"I love you," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "More than I ever thought I could love anyone."
Daphne's fingers trailed down his back, her heart pounding as he thrust into her, slow and deep. "I love you too."
Theo kissed her againâ savoring the moment like he wanted to burn it into his soul. He worshiped her with his touch, his lips tracing the curve of her jaw, the sensitive spot on her neck, the dip of her collarbone. Every kiss, every whisper of his name against her lips, only pulled him in deeper.
Daphne shivered as Theo's hands explored her with aching patience.
"This is it," he murmured against her skin, his voice filled with wonder. "This is us making something that's ours."
Daphne cupped his face, brushing her thumb over his lips. "Ours," she whispered.
Theo kissed her again before pressing his forehead to hers as he slowly, intimately, became one with her. Their fingers tangled, bodies moving in perfect harmony, every breath, every sigh, every whispered name an unspoken promise.
They took their time, savoring every second, every feeling. It wasn't just about passionâit was about love, about trust, about the future they were creating together.
And as Theo held Daphne close, pressing soft kisses against her temple, he knew this was the beginning of something even greater than the love they already shared
____________
Lily
The ride to the police station was quiet, the weight of what had happened settling heavily between them. Every so often, Gabriel's fingers flexed around the steering wheel, his jaw clenched tight.
Lily watched him from the corner of her eye. His expression was unreadable, but she knew him well enough to recognize the tension in his posture, the barely restrained anger simmering beneath the surface.
She didn't know what scared her moreâthe fact that someone had been following her or the storm brewing in Gabriel's eyes.
As they pulled into the police station parking lot, the fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow over the pavement. Gabriel killed the engine and turned to Lily.
"You ready?" he asked, his voice gentler now, though the tension in his shoulders hadn't eased.
Lily took a deep breath and nodded. She wasn't, not really, but Gabriel was here. That was enough.
Inside, the station was quieter than she expected, the low murmur of voices and the occasional ring of a phone the only sounds filling the space. The sharp scent of coffee and paperwork lingered in the air.
The moment they stepped in, a man in his late forties turned from his desk, his sharp gaze landing on Gabriel. His tired eyes widened slightly before a knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Well, well," the man drawled, standing up. "Didn't think I'd see you here, kid."
Gabriel's lips twitched into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Detective Raines."
Lily looked between them, sensing familiarity.
Raines crossed his arms, eyeing Gabriel with something between amusement and scrutiny. "Been a while. Last time I saw you, you were half your height."
Gabriel chuckled.
Raines shifted his gaze to Lily. "You found yourself a girlfriend?"
Gabriel let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Not exactly."
Lily blinked, caught off guard by the question. She wasn't sure why her heart gave a strange little lurch at Gabriel's response.
Raines smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "Uh-huh. That hesitation says otherwise, kid."
Gabriel exhaled through his nose, his lips twitching in amusement. "Lily, this is Detective Raines. He used to be my dad's partner back in the day."
Raines placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense. "Used to be?" He turned to Lily with a dramatic sigh. "Can you believe this? A few years go by, and suddenly I'm ancient history."
Lily found herself smiling despite the tension still sitting heavy in her chest. "Nice to meet you, Detective."
"Call me Raines," he said easily before shooting Gabriel a look. "And you? You used to be a scrawny little thing. Now you're towering over me, acting all serious. It's unsettling."
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "You're just mad you're getting old."
"Old?" Raines scoffed. "Boy, I could still put you on your ass if I wanted to."
Gabriel snorted, crossing his arms. "Sure you could."
Lily glanced between them, the easy banter making it obviousâRaines wasn't just some old cop Gabriel knew. He was family in a way, the kind of man who had seen Gabriel grow up, who probably knew more about him than Gabriel would ever admit.
Raines' teasing smirk faded slightly as he studied Lily again. "What brings you guys in today?"
And just like that, the mood shifted. The teasing was over. It was time to get serious.
Gabriel's entire demeanor darkened again. "Lily was followed tonight. Car tailed her all the way from her new apartment. She tried to shake them off, but they didn't let up."
The detective's face hardened. "Alright," he said, his tone all business now. "Let's get your statement."
Gabriel reached down and took hold of Lily's hand. He gave it a tight squeeze to assure her everything would be okay as they followed Raines.
Raines led them into a dimly lit office, the overhead light buzzing faintly as he gestured for Lily to take a seat. Gabriel remained standing beside her, arms crossed, his presence solid and unwavering.
Lily swallowed, her hands twisting in her lap as she tried to steady her breathing. The panic still clung to her, the phantom sensation of being watched making her skin crawl.
"Alright, kid," Raines said, pulling out a notepad and clicking his pen. "Start from the beginning. Tell me everything."
Lily exhaled shakily. "I was driving back to my dorm from my new apartment. It was late, the roads were pretty empty, and at first, I didn't think much of it. But then I noticed a car behind meâit stayed at a steady distance, no matter where I turned."
Raines nodded, jotting something down. "Make? Model? Color?"
"It was dark," she said, frowning as she tried to recall the details. "A sedan, maybe? I wasn't paying attention at first, but once I noticed, I tried to shake them off. I changed lanes, took random turns, even sped up when I had the chance. Nothing worked. They stuck with me the whole time."
Gabriel's jaw tightened, his fingers tapping impatiently against his arm. "They were tailing her."
Raines glanced at him. "It's looking that way." He turned back to Lily. "Did you see the driver?"
She hesitated, her brows knitting together. "No. The windows were too dark. I justâI had a bad feeling. I kept thinking they'd speed up, that they'd try something." Her voice wavered slightly, and she rubbed her hands against her jeans. "I panicked. I wasn't sure where to go. And then... I ended up near Gabriel's place, so I drove straight there."
Gabriel's hand clenched into a fist at his side. He hadn't known she was that scared when she'd pulled into his driveway, but hearing her say it now made something burn in his chest.
"Have you ever been followed before?" Raines asked.
Lily tightened her arms around herself and shook her head, "No...."
"You don't sound so sure," Raines said, his watchful eyes on her.
"There was this one time," Lily said quietly, thinking back to the night she had met Wendy's family for the first time. "I thought.......I thought I was being followed on the highway but I think they were just headed the same way as me."
"How long where they behind you?" Raines asked.
"Long enough for me to notice," Lily shivered. "It was really early on in the morning so not too many cars around."
"I see," Raines tapped his pen against the table before exhaling through his nose. "This could be nothing, but it could also be something," he admitted. "Could be some idiot messing around, or it could be someone with a reason to follow you." His tone darkened slightly. "Either way, we're not taking any chances."
Lily swallowed, nodding.
"We'll check the traffic cameras," Raines continued. "See if we can get a plate, maybe an ID on the driver. But in the meantime..." His gaze flickered to Gabriel, a knowing smirk playing at his lips. "I'm guessing you won't let her out of your sight?"
Gabriel didn't even hesitate. "Not a chance." His voice was low, firm.
Raines chuckled. "Didn't think so." Then, his expression sobered. "Be smart, kid. If this car shows up again, don't try to handle it on your own. Call it in."
Gabriel's eyes darkened. "I'll handle it."
Raines gave him a look. "That's exactly what I don't want you doing." He turned to Lily, his tone gentler. "If you notice anything elseâsomeone following you again, something feeling offâyou come straight here, got it?"
Lily nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure how much safer she felt.
Gabriel placed a hand lightly on her shoulder, his touch grounding. "She'll be fine," he said, more to her than to Raines.
Raines sighed, shaking his head. "You've got your father's stubborn streak, I swear."
Gabriel smirked. "Must be why you like me so much."
Raines snorted. "Get outta here, kid." But his expression softened just slightly as he watched them stand. "And be careful."
"Thanks," Gabriel shook Raines hand before holding the door open for Lily. they walked through the halls in silence before reaching the door to the parking lot.
As they stepped out of the police station, the night air was thick with humidity, the scent of rain lingering from an earlier drizzle. The parking lot was mostly empty, save for a few scattered cars reflecting the glow of the streetlights. Gabriel walked a step ahead, his hands shoved into his pockets, but his gaze remained fixed on Lily.
She was quietâtoo quiet. Her arms were wrapped around herself, her shoulders tense, and even though she tried to mask it, Gabriel could see the way her fingers trembled slightly. The panic from earlier hadn't fully left her system.
Gabriel opened the passenger door for her, watching as she slid inside without a word. He exhaled, running a hand through his hair before rounding the car and getting in. As he started the engine, he glanced at her. "You okay?"
Lily nodded, but it wasn't convincing.
Gabriel drummed his fingers against the steering wheel for a moment, then said, "Can I ask for a favor?"
Lily slowly turned toward him, "What?"
"Come with me to the boardwalk," Gabriel held her gaze. "Don't leave. I'm not ready to let go of you tonight."
Lily frowned. "What?"
"The boardwalk," he repeated, as if it were obvious. "It's late, so there won't be many people. We'll get some fries or deep friend oreos, maybe walk around and play those games."
She blinked at him. "Gabriel, I just gave a statement at a police station because someone followed me. I don't exactly feel like taking a casual stroll."
Gabriel ignored her protest, throwing the car into reverse. "Exactly why we should go," he said. "You're freaked out. You need a distraction."
"I need to go home," she corrected.
"You need to breathe."
Lily sighed, rubbing at her temples. "Gabrielâ"
"I'm not taking no for an answer, angel," he said smoothly, his grip tightening on the wheel. "You can sit there all night overthinking what happened, or you can let me take your mind off it." He glanced at her, smirking just slightly. "Besides, I hate seeing you like this."
Lily hesitated, torn between wanting to be stubborn and the strange sense of comfort that came with his insistence.
"You can even pick the music," he added.
She gave him a skeptical look. "Even if I put on Taylor Swift?"
Gabriel made a face, but his smirk grew. "I'll suffer through it."
Lily bit her lip, finally letting out a small breath of laughter. It wasn't much, but it was enough for Gabriel to know he'd won.
"Fine," she muttered. "But if I want to leave, we leave."
Gabriel grinned. "Deal."
As Gabriel drove toward the boardwalk, Lily leaned her head against the window, watching the streetlights blur past. A part of her wondered why she was even doing thisâdriving to a boardwalk in the middle of the night with him instead of going home, locking the doors, and calling her family like she should be.
Her parents would want to know. Her brothers, too. They'd tell her she needed to be more careful, demand details, probably insist on hiring security to escort her everywhere. The thought made her stomach turn.
She wasn't in the mood for all of that.
She wasn't in the mood for the way they'd fuss over her, the way they'd make her feel like she was fragile, like she couldn't handle something on her own. She knew they meant well, but right now, she didn't want their worry. She didn't want to hear their voices filled with concern, asking if she was okay a hundred times until she started to believe that she wasn't.
Instead, she was hereâwith Gabriel.
It didn't make sense, but at the same time, it did. He wasn't coddling her. He wasn't making her relive what happened over and over. He wasn't telling her to be careful, to be scared, to panic.
He was just there, giving her the perfect opportunity to forget, even if only for a little while.
Lily turned her head to look at him, his face illuminated by the glow of the dashboard lights. He was focused on the road, one hand resting lazily on the gear shift, the other gripping the wheel with that casual confidence he always carried. There was no pressure, no expectationâjust an open space for her to breathe.
And for the first time since she realized she was being followed, she did.
Gabriel pulled into the nearly empty parking lot, the glow of the boardwalk lights casting a warm haze against the dark sky. Lily glanced out the window, taking in the flashing neon signs of the snack stands, the towering Ferris wheel spinning lazily in the distance, and the rows of carnival games with stuffed animals dangling from their hooks.
The salty breeze rushed through the open car windows, carrying the crisp scent of the ocean mixed with the tempting aroma of fried dough and buttered popcorn. Over the distant hum of the boardwalk music, she could hear the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore, steady and unrelenting.
Gabriel shut off the engine and turned to her, arching a brow. "Last chance to back out."
Lily hesitated for a brief moment, but then the wind swept her hair across her face, and she sighed. "We're already here."
With a smirk, Gabriel got out of the car and walked around to open her door. The wind was stronger than she expected, tugging at her sleeves as she stepped out, her arms instinctively wrapping around herself.
"You cold?" Gabriel asked, already shrugging off his hoodie.
Lily shook her head, but he ignored her, draping it over her shoulders anyway. It was warm, slightly oversized, and smelled faintly like himâclean, with a hint of something she couldn't quite place.
She swallowed, looking up at him. "Thanks."
Gabriel just tilted his head toward the boardwalk entrance. "Come on. Let's do something reckless."
Lily pulled Gabriel's hoodie over her arms properly as she followed him. She sighed into it, letting it shield her from the chilly breeze as they walked onto the boardwalk.
Gabriel strolled ahead with his hands in his pockets, his pace unhurried. The lights from the Ferris wheel, the game booths, and the flashing neon signs reflected in Lily's eyes, making them shine with something almost childlike. He found himself watching her more than he was paying attention to where they were going.
"See something you like?" he asked casually, smirking when she tore her gaze from the lights to scowl at him.
"Not yet," Lily said. "Maybe the Ferris Wheel. But definitely not the carts that swing."
"Notes," Gabriel said, nudging toward one of a shooting game. A row of targets lined the back wall, moving side to side, while a bored-looking game attendant leaned against the counter.
"You want to play?" He asked.
"I will hit everything and everyone but the target," Lily sighed.
"Easy competition then," Gabriel laughed as he handed the man some money.
Lily sighed once more and stepped forward, picking up one of the plastic guns.
"Pick one," Gabriel said, pointing toward the prizes.
Lily raised a brow. "Confident, are we?"
Gabriel smiled as he picked up the toy rifle, testing the weight in his hands. "Always."
Lily scanned the prizesâgiant teddy bears, cartoon characters, all too big and flashy. Then her eyes landed on a small, yellow stuffed turtle hanging near the bottom corner. It was simple, unassuming, but something about it made her smile.
"That one." She pointed.
Gabriel barely spared it a glance before rolling his shoulders and setting his stance. The game started, and within seconds, he was knocking down target after target with ease. The attendant perked up, clearly surprised by how quickly Gabriel was clearing the board. Lily just stood beside him, arms crossed, trying not to be impressed.
When the last target dropped, the bell rang, signaling his win. Gabriel set the rifle down with a smug look. "Told you."
Lily shook her head, trying to hide her smile as the attendant grabbed the yellow turtle and handed it over. Gabriel turned to her, pressing the stuffed animal into her hands.
"For you, angel."
Lily hugged the turtle against her chest, the smallest blush creeping onto her cheeks. "I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?"
Gabriel grinned. "Not a chance."
Lily narrowed her eyes at the targets, gripping the toy rifle with determination. "It can't be that hard," she muttered, setting her stance.
Gabriel smirked, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. "You sure about that?"
She ignored him and pulled the trigger. The shot went wide, completely missing the target. She frowned and tried againâanother miss.
Gabriel let out a low chuckle. "Yeah, okay, hand it over."
Lily huffed. "No! I got this."
Another shot. Another miss.
Gabriel sighed, shaking his head. "Alright, move over."
Before she could protest, he stepped behind her, his chest pressing lightly against her back. His hands slid over hers, adjusting her grip on the rifle. Lily froze, her breath catching as his arms caged around her, warm and steady.
"You're holding it too tight," he murmured near her ear, his voice low. "Relax your shoulders."
Lily tried, but it was difficult when he was this close.
Gabriel shifted her stance slightly, his hands guiding hers. "Line up the shot... right here." His fingers tapped lightly against the barrel. "And squeeze the trigger. Don't yank it."
Lily swallowed, forcing herself to focus on the target rather than the way her heart was hammering against her ribs. She took a breath and pulled the trigger.
The target fell.
Her lips parted in surprise. "I did it."
Gabriel grinned against her hair. "We did it."
Lily turned her head slightly, just enough to catch the smirk on his face. "That was all you," she accused.
He shrugged, his arms still around her. "Maybe. But you looked cute trying."
Lily rolled her eyes. "You're flirting again."
Gabriel chuckled, finally letting go, but not before grabbing the rifle from her hands. "Go pick your prize. I'll win you another one."
Lily stepped back as Gabriel took his turn at the game again, raising the rifle with an ease that made her cross her arms.
"Show-off," she muttered under her breath.
He smirked but didn't reply, his focus on the target. A moment later, he fired three perfect shots in a row, knocking them down effortlessly. The game attendant gave a low whistle. "Damn, man. You do this for a living?"
Gabriel smirked, handing over the rifle. "Just good with my hands."
Lily rolled her eyes as he turned to her, holding up the prizeâa small stuffed mushroom with a red cap and tiny, beady eyes.
"A mushroom?" she asked, raising a brow.
Gabriel shrugged. "Looked funny....and I swear I once saw you wearing a cardigan with weird mushrooms on them."
Lily stared at it for a moment before taking it from his hand. "Thanks. I'll carry him with me when I wear my cartigen."
Gabriel's smirk softened, his gaze lingering on her just a little too long before he turned away. "Come on. You hungry?"
"No," Lily said, turning to follow him.
"I am," Gabriel said.
Together, they made their way to a cotton candy stand, the air thick with the scent of sugar and sea salt. Lily pointed at the biggest swirl of pink cotton candy she could find, and Gabriel bought it without hesitation.
As they walked, Lily pulled off a fluffy piece and held it out to Gabriel. "Want some?"
He eyed it like it was poison. "No."
"I thought you were hungry." Lily arched her brow.
"For real food," Gabriel said. "Not for that."
"It's good," Lily held it out again.
"I don't like cotton candy."
"Why not?"
"It's.... Weird."
Lily paused. She threw her head back and laughed, her cheeks growing flush.
"What?" She exclaimed. "Just try it! It's good."
"No," Gabriel said.
"Please," Lily held out the large pink cloud she was holding. "For me."
Gabriel scoffed and scowled. Lily thought he was going to walk away but he surprised her by leaned in, biting the piece from her fingers. Lily didn't miss the way his lips brushed against her fingertips before he pulled away, chewing with a contemplative expression.
"I still hate it," he admitted.
Lily shook her head, "You missing out."
"I'll live," Gabriel muttered.
They continued down the boardwalk, the sound of crashing waves and distant laughter surrounding them. As they approached the Ferris wheel, Lily hesitated for a second, looking up at the massive ride lit up in glowing blues and purples.
Gabriel noticed. "Don't tell me you're scared of heights."
She shot him a look. "I'm not."
"Good." He grabbed her handâwithout thinking, without hesitationâand pulled her toward the line. Lily stared at their intertwined fingers, warmth spreading up her arm.
She should pull away.
But she didn't.
Lily's heart pounded in her chest, the sound almost deafening against the chatter and music around them. She tried to focus on the Ferris wheel lights reflecting on the ocean, on the stickiness of cotton candy still clinging to her fingersâbut all she could feel was Gabriel.
He was standing close. Too close.
She became acutely aware of the warmth radiating from him, of the way his arm would occasionally brush against hers whenever the line shifted forward. It was nothing, just the natural press of bodies in a crowded space, but to Lily, it felt like everything.
Then, without warning, he stepped even closer, his body nearly flush against her back as he moved to shield her from a group of people who weren't paying attention, jostling the line. His hand landed lightly on the small of her back, steadying her.
Her breath hitched.
It wasn't intentionalâat least, she didn't think it wasâbut the heat of his palm through her hoodie sent a shiver up her spine.
She should say something. A joke, maybe. Something to cut through the tension weaving itself into the space between them. But when she turned her head slightly, her gaze landed on the curve of his jaw, the shadow of stubble along his skin, and her mind went blank.
She was crossing a line.
She knew it.
But she couldn't seem to stop herself.
As they reached the front of the line, Lily climbed into the Ferris wheel cart. Her mind was a tangled mess. She barely registered anything the lady operating the ride said as she sat down.
The doors closed and Gabriel sat beside her, his arm resting casually along the back of the seat. Lily's heart was still racing, her skin still warm where he had touched her.
What the hell was she doing?
She should be thinking about the strange car that had followed her. About calling her family. Instead, she was hyper-aware of the way Gabriel's knee brushed against hers, of the scent of his cologne mixing with the salty ocean air.
The cart lurched forward, and suddenly, reality snapped back into place.
Lily's stomach dropped as she realizedâthe cart was moving. And not just moving up like she expected, but swinging.
Panic surged through her as the wind pushed against them, making the cart sway ever so slightly. Her fingers gripped the edge of the seat as she snapped her head toward Gabriel, her voice an octave higher than usual.
"Why is it moving?"
Gabriel blinked at her, clearly biting back a smile. "Because that's how Ferris wheels work, Lily."
"No," she said sharply, shaking her head. "Why is it swinging?"
He let out a low chuckle, as if her terror was amusing. "Relax, angel. It's supposed to do that."
Lily's breath came quicker, her fingers tightening around the metal bar in front of her. "I don't like this. I don't like this. I told you no moving carts!"
Gabriel's teasing smirk faltered when he saw the genuine panic in her eyes. Without hesitation, he reached for her, his large hand covering hers, prying her grip away from the metal.
"Hey," he murmured, his voice softer now. "I got you."
But Lily wasn't convinced. The cart swayed again as they climbed higher, and she let out a small yelp, squeezing her eyes shut.
Gabriel exhaled through his nose, shifting closer. "Lily, open your eyes."
"No."
"Come on, angel," he coaxed. "Trust me."
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to peek at him through her lashes. He wasn't laughing anymore. Instead, his gaze was steady, unwavering. Safe.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he said, voice low, reassuring. "Just breathe."
Lily sucked in a shaky breath, her fingers still locked around his. The cart rocked again, a sudden gust of wind making it sway more than before. Lily let out a sharp yelp, her entire body going rigid.
That was it. She was going to die up here.
Before she could spiral any further, strong hands grabbed her waist and pulled her against solid warmth.
She barely had time to register what was happening before she found herself in Gabriel's lap, his arms wrapped securely around her. His chest was firm against her, steady and unmoving, while her heart pounded wildly against her ribs.
"Gabrielâ"
"Shh, I got you," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
The cart swayed again, and she squeezed her eyes shut, her hands fisting into his hoodie.
"Remember the bears?" Gabriel's voice was low, soothing. "You didn't freak out this much when we met literal bear."
Lily let out a breathless laugh, gripping his arm tighter. "That was different."
"Was it?" he teased. "We survived that, didn't we?"
She didn't respond, just swallowed hard.
"And then we got lost in the woods?" he continued, his voice like a slow current pulling her in. "We survived that too."
"I almost didn't," she muttered.
Gabriel chuckled. "You did. So if you could handle all that, you can handle this."
Lily inhaled shakily, her entire body still tense, but the steady rise and fall of his chest was slowly starting to ground her.
"You're safe, angel," he whispered, tightening his arms around her. "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."
Something in her melted at his words, at the certainty in his voice.
She buried her face in the crook of his neck, her fingers still clinging to him, as the cart swayed once more. But this time, with Gabriel holding her close, the fear didn't feel so suffocating.
Lily's head remained pressed against Gabriel's chest for a few more moments, the steady thrum of his heartbeat comforting her as the Ferris wheel creaked and swayed beneath them. She felt the tension in her limbs slowly ease, but the fear was still there, lingering beneath the surface, like an echo she couldn't shake.
Gabriel's arms tightened around her, his voice low and soothing. "Hey, look at the view," he said softly, his words brushing against her ear. "You're safe, Lily. Just look."
Lily hesitated, a wave of uncertainty crashing over her. But his gentle insistence calmed her. She slowly lifted her head, her gaze drifting out to the twinkling lights below. The whole boardwalk looked tiny from this height, the bright neon signs reflecting off the ocean waves that sparkled in the moonlight. It was beautiful.
But as her eyes shifted to the horizon, she couldn't help but feel his presence. The warmth of Gabriel's body behind her, the comforting weight of his arms still wrapped around her. The wind tugged at her hair, but she didn't mind.
When she finally turned to face him, their eyes locked. The world seemed to slow down.
Gabriel was watching her, his expression unreadable for a split second before his lips curled slightly at the corners. But it was the way he was looking at herâintense, almost too intenseâthat made her heart skip a beat.
For a moment, Lily couldn't breathe.
His gaze dropped from her eyes to her lips, and her pulse quickened. She couldn't tear her gaze away. They were so close now, the air between them thick with an unspoken understanding, a tension that neither of them had acknowledged out loud.
Lily's breath caught in her throat.
Her fingers tightened around the edges of the seat, as if she needed something to ground her. Her heart hammered in her chest, each beat louder than the last. She could feel Gabriel's warmth against her, his proximity making it impossible to focus on anything other than the fact that they were just inches apart.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, they both leaned in.
Lily's eyes fluttered closed for a moment, the rest of the world blurring away, until all she could focus on was Gabriel. His presence. His scent. His warmth.
Just before their lips could meet, everything stopped. The Ferris wheel creaked, the sound of the waves crashing below, the distant musicâall of it seemed to fade into silence.
Lily's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes snapped open, wide with panic, and her heart slammed against her ribs. What am I doing?
Lily gasped as her body jerked away from Gabriel in a sharp, panicked motion, and her hands trembled uncontrollably. The blood pounded in her ears, drowning out everything except the chaos in her mind. The world felt like it was spinning too fast, each second dragging her further into a vortex she couldn't escape.
No. No, no, no.
"Lily?" Gabriel opened his eyes.
Lily jumped off his lap and moved to the far end of the small cart. Her skin felt hot, her breath shallow, and as her mind raced, the image of Gabriel's faceâthe heat in his gaze, the way his lips had been so close to hersâflashed in her mind, making her chest tighten.
Jake.
The thought of him hit her like a blow to the chest.
I'm with Jake.
"Oh my god," Lily's hand moved to cover her mouth. Her skin paled as she stared at Gabriel.
She didn't know why it took her this long to remember, but the realization crashed into her with brutal force. She could see his face and in that instant, she was suffocating with guilt.
Her eyes darted away from Gabriel, scanning the sky, the lights, the empty space around her, anything to avoid the storm of emotions tearing her apart. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think.
Her body was trembling now, each breath ragged and shallow, her pulse pounding in her throat. A wave of guilt and shame flooded her all at once, as if the weight of what she had almost done was too much to carry. She couldn't face it. Couldn't face him.
"I... I'm sorry," she said, barely able to hear her own voice over the chaos inside her. Her hands twisted into the fabric of her jeans, desperate to ground herself. "I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have let that happen."
The words hung in the air, heavier than anything she could carry. The moment that had felt so alive, so reckless, was now a haunting mistake, one she couldn't undo. She couldn't even look at Gabriel. Not when the shame of what she had almost done felt like it would swallow her whole.
What is wrong with me? Lily thought.
Her thoughts were a tangled mess of guilt, confusion, and self-loathing. She had almost kissed him. Almost crossed a line she couldn't come back from.
Gabriel's hand hovered in the air, like he wasn't sure whether to reach for her, to comfort her. His voice was low, but it carried the weight of concern. "Lily, hey, just calm down. It's alright."
But Lily didn't hear him. She couldn't focus on his words, not when her heart was beating so fast, and the guilt was suffocating her. Her breathing was still erratic, sharp gasps that didn't feel like they were enough. She felt hot, flushed with embarrassment, with anger.
Her eyes burned, and she couldn't hold back the frustration that had been building inside her.
"Calm down?!" she shot back, her voice trembling with the force of her anger, but there was no denying the tightness in her chest. "IâI can't calm down, Gabriel! I just.....we just.....almost....."
Her words came out in a rush, a mix of fury and panic, and she was shaking now, not just from the aftermath of the panic attack, but from the storm of emotions that had been brewing inside her.
"IâI want to leave," she choked out, her voice thick with emotion. It was the only thing she knew how to say, the only thing she knew could give her some semblance of control over the chaos in her mind. She was slipping, and she couldn't stop herself. "I need to get out of here."
Gabriel's jaw tightened, and there was a flicker of frustration in his eyes, but his voice remained steady. "Lily, don'tâ"
"No," she snapped, her hands trembling as they pressed against her forehead. Her voice cracked, and it felt like a slap to Gabriel's chest. "I can'tâI should have never come here with you!" The words were rushed, jagged, as if they were tearing out of her without any control.
He blinked, taken aback by her reaction. "Lily..." he started, his voice softer now, attempting to reach her, but she wasn't listening. "Nothing happened," he tried, a calm attempt to ease the storm he could feel raging inside her.
But she only shook her head, more frantic now.
"It almost did," she fired back, her voice bitter with frustration. She jabbed a hand between them, her fingers shaking. "And that's a huge problem. This..."âher hand swept the space between them againâ"this is a problem. And I'm so stupid that I can't seem to set any kind of boundaries with you. What is wrong with me?"
Gabriel's chest tightened, the words hitting him like a slap of cold water. "Lily, that's not... that's not what I want. I never wanted to make you feel this way."
Her words cut deeper than he expected, because somewhere in all her panic, he could hear the underlying hurt in her voice. She was blaming herself for something that wasn't her fault, for something that didn't even happen.
He opened his mouth to respond, but the words got stuck, caught in the frustration that had been building in him too.
Instead, he bit back his response, staring straight ahead, jaw clenched. He hated seeing her like this, hated that he couldn't calm her down, couldn't make her understand.
But most of all, he hated that he was the one who had caused it.
The cart filled with silence as they came back down to the ground. Lily bolted up from her seat and rushed out, leaving Gabriel to follow in silence.
Once they reached the car, Lily moved as far away from him as she possibly could in the passenger seat, almost hugging the door as if any physical contact with him was a sin.
Gabriel's jaw tightened as he pulled out of the parking lot in silence and turned toward her apartment.
The ride back was heavy with silence. Gabriel kept his eyes on the road, his grip on the steering wheel firm, but his mind was anything but clear. His chest tightened with every passing second, the weight of Lily's words still hanging in the air between them, stinging like fresh wounds. He glanced at her, but she wasn't looking at him. Her eyes were glued to the window, her posture stiff, arms crossed tightly over her chest, as though she was trying to physically shut him out.
The car's tires hummed against the pavement, the only sound that filled the air, and even that felt too loud in the quiet.
When the cart finally reached the luxury apartment complex, the momentary relief Gabriel had hoped for turned to dust. Lily was already out of her seat the second the ride stopped, moving quickly, like she couldn't get away from him fast enough. Gabriel's chest tightened further, his heart pounding in a way that felt wrong.
He watched her rush ahead, her pace quick and almost frantic, and the sight of her back turned to him, so determined to escape, hit him harder than he expected. She didn't look back. She didn't say anything.
Gabriel tried to call after her, but the words stuck in his throat, suffocated by the chasm between them. He sat there, watching her retreat into the distance, the weight of everything crashing down on him as the silence in the car grew even louder, more unbearable.
Poor Mason and Gabriel