Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(71)

I smiled fondly at the memory. The whole night had been magical. Gabe had tried to sell me on the idea of us being an item when I’d already been sold, and it was adorable. He’d held my hand and looked at me like I was the only girl in the room when I was surrounded by nothing but beautiful people. He made me feel special and important. I’d fallen head over heels in love with him that night.

I reminisced in silence, trying to shake the sudden pain squeezing my heart. I had no right to feel sad about that night knowing what I’d just done with Stephen up in the room. Gabe had to hate me, in fact loathe might be a more appropriate word. I’d passed the point of no return. He’d never get over what I’d done.

I closed my eyes and forced myself to breathe. Stephen and the bartender laughed, and I snapped out of my reverie.

“What looks good?” I asked Stephen, trying to distract myself.

The bartender gave us a minute, and Stephen slid the menu next to me. “They have a pretty big wine list. What do you feel like?” he asked. “Pinot grigio?”

“Oh, technically I’m working. Just water for me, thanks.”

“Oh come on, one glass won’t hurt.”

I shook my head. “No, I can’t. You can have mine.”

He waved a hand at me. “I’ll grab us a bottle. We should relax a little and have a toast.” A pianist at the front of the room began playing one of Beethoven’s sonatas. “The bartender said the restaurant next door is one of the best in the city. Maybe we can head over there and grab a bite?”

The restaurant would do nothing but spark more memories and a whole lot of guilt. It would be too painful to revisit.

“Why don’t we have a seat at one of those tables over there and grab something small…an appetizer or two? I like the feel of this place.” If he insisted we toast to the evening then I could have one sip of wine.

He raised his eyebrows and gave me a crooked smile. “That sounds good too. Go pick a table and I’ll order the wine.”

I headed over to a small table and sat with my back to the wall. Stephen joined me moments later with two glasses and a chilled bottle of white wine. He poured it in the glasses, and when I put it to my nose, I smelled fresh lemon blossoms.

“Wait, don’t drink yet,” Stephen said, and I lowered my glass. “To…” He paused and chose his words. “To all the help you’ve given me. I would be nowhere without you. Cheers.”

“Thank you,” I answered and smiled. “Cheers.” We tapped our glasses together, and I took my one, generous sip.

The wine was delicious, and the alcohol worked its way into my muscles, but I needed to get food in my stomach. I set down my glass and rested my chin in my palm. “So, tell me something about you I don’t know.”

He set his wine on the table and twisted the glass at the stem, briefly looking down then back up. “Like what?”

“Tell me about your family.”

He curled his lips over his teeth then rubbed them together. “Not much to tell. My dad’s been out of the picture since I was a baby, and I was raised by my mom.” He picked up his glass again and took a big drink.

I suspected there was some kind of an old wound underneath his tough exterior. “I bet you’re really close with your mom then, huh?”

He reached across the table and covered my hands with his. He smiled, but there was something hidden behind it. “We were, but we’ve drifted apart recently.”

“How come?”

“She’s here and I’m in New York. I don’t visit enough.”

“Is that what she was upset about?”

He shrugged. “Kind of. She found out I’d been in town and met with Avery but didn’t stop by for a visit.”

“Oh.” I winced. “Yeah, I can see how that might upset a mom. Why didn’t you want to see her?”

“I needed to get back home to work. I walk away from visits with her feeling guilty about something or other, so I tried to keep it under the radar. I should have known I wouldn’t get out of the city without being spotted by someone she knows.”

I chuckled. “Well, I can relate to parent issues. I’m sure whatever your differences are it’s only because she loves you so much. There’s a special bond between mother and son,” I said, thinking of Vance and his mother. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see it was something unique.

I wrapped my hand around my glass and swirled my wine, but movement from one of the balconies above caught my attention. I glanced up and saw Gabe staring down at me. Our eyes locked, and I stopped breathing.

“Di?” Stephen asked.

My eyes shot to his. “Yes?”

“Everything all right? You look like you saw a ghost.”

Out of my peripheral vision, I watched Gabe approach the stairs and head my way. My heart started to race and panic began to set in. I couldn’t let Gabe see me with Stephen. The thought of an encounter with all three of us made my stomach turn. So, I decided to do what any girl would do in my situation—I was going to run and hide in the bathroom.

“Yep, everything’s fine. I need to use the lady’s room. Will you excuse me for a second?” I scooted from my chair.

“Sure.”

I walked swiftly through the carpeted room into the lobby toward the bathroom. My heels rapped hurriedly against the floor until his familiar touch landed on my arm.