Collide (Collide #1)(25)

Gavin's jaw tensed almost imperceptibly. "I really have no desire at all to talk about this," he said, his voice holding a warning.

"Fair enough. Are you coming to dinner tonight at Mom and Dad's?"

Shrugging into his suit jacket, the barest suggestion of a smile played on his lips. "Yes, I'll be there - with the exception that you and my wonderful sister-in-law are not hiding a secret date for me under the table."

Colton dug his keys from his pocket, gave an impish smirk, and walked out of the office.

By the time Gavin left, it was gridlock in Manhattan. Sighing, he rubbed a palm over his face as he gripped the steering wheel of his black BMW. While waiting for a herd of pedestrians to cross the street, he realized he was at the corner beside the restaurant where Emily worked. The blood drained from his face at the sight of her opening the door to leave. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he contemplated pulling over to say hello, but as soon as the idea entered his mind, a horn cut through his thoughts. Flipping the bird to the impatient driver, Gavin slid into first gear and navigated his way through traffic. He averted his eyes to the rearview mirror, trying to catch one last glimpse of her. It was then that his father's far-fetched story about love at first sight slammed into his mind.

"She's out there, son, and when you find her, you'll know it the very second you see her. She'll pull at your every instinct. Without any regard to the natural order of things, she'll just...appear."

"This is utterly f*cking hilarious," he laughed, tapping his finger on the steering wheel. "I've got to be out of my mind thinking about this girl."

With so many conflicting emotions, over the next hour, Gavin thought about his beliefs carefully. As Manhattan's skyline disappeared from view and the sprawling trees that layered upstate replaced it, he swore to himself that he would try to rid Emily from his mind - though he wasn't quite sure if that was possible.

Applying the last bit of mascara to her lashes, Emily tore her attention away from the mirror. The slamming door signaled Olivia's arrival home from work.

She hurried into the living room. "I've been calling and texting you all day," Emily let out breathlessly, slipping on a pair of red heels. "Why didn't you call me back?"

Olivia tossed her purse on the couch. "I left the damn thing here." She walked into the kitchen and yanked it from the counter. Looking over to Emily, she beamed a smile. "You're looking hot. What's the special occasion?"

"Mine and Dillon's nine-month anniversary. He'll be here soon," Emily hastily replied, walking over to her. "You were sleeping when I got home last night. You have no idea who I met."

"Yeah, I was wondering why you were gone when I returned." Olivia stabbed her passcode into her phone. "Okay, let me guess. Uh, Brad Pitt?"

"I'm being serious, Liv. You'll never guess, so don't even try."

"No! I want one more shot." Olivia paused. "Hmm, President Obama?"

"This is going nowhere real fast." Emily laughed and sank into a seat at the table. "I met the one and only...wait for it...wait for it...Gavin Blake."

"Totally hot, right?" Olivia asked, bringing her phone up to her ear.

Emily smiled. "Yes, completely."

"Now admit my description of the walking god was on point, since, if I recall correctly," Olivia tapped her finger on her chin, "when I gave you the prior mentioned walking-gods description, you begged to differ that any man could be that delicious looking."