“Of course he’s a pimp,” Gabe says with a shake of his head, making me laugh.
Audrey is there too, dressed in a skimpy costume. I think she’s supposed to be a maid? I don’t know. She’s hanging on Tristan’s arm, though I know he doesn’t really care about her. At least she’s given up on chasing after Gabe. I’ve accepted that she’ll always be around and I’m not a fan, but at least she keeps her distance from my man.
I really love that I can claim Gabe as my man.
I nearly squeal with excitement when I spot Shep and Jade. He’s Batman and she’s Robin. They’re cute but look tough with their black masks covering their faces. Jade runs up and gives me a big hug when she spots us, practically wrapping her green tights-covered legs around mine.
“Your costume is so adorable!” she exclaims, using the same word Gabe did when he first saw me.
“Thanks. I made it myself.” I preen for her, doing a little twirl.
“I can imagine ten-year old Gabe wearing that hat,” she says and when I told her it was actually nine-year old Gabe who got that very hat, she starts to laugh.
Gabe and I separate fast but I don’t mind. I’ve made friends. He has tons of friends and they all want a piece of him, which I understand. That I’m lucky enough to have a piece of him—to have many pieces of him, still blows my mind.
The party is in full swing, the house is so crowded with people and I’m sweating like crazy. I have two margaritas in me when Gabe suddenly appears, takes my hand and pulls me outside. “I want to talk to you.”
I stand up straight at the seriousness in his tone. I’m buzzing from the tequila so I hope I don’t make an ass of myself. What in the world could he want to talk about now? “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just realized something.” He grabs hold of my bare shoulders and stares down at me. “I want you to live with me.”
My mouth drops open. Wait…what? “Are you serious?”
“When you told me Gina was leaving to transfer to the same university her boyfriend goes to, it dawned on me. You’re worried about finding another roommate when you don’t need to worry at all. Just move in with me,” he explains, sounding so very logical.
I’m struck silent by his offer. We are moving way too fast. Aren’t we? “What about your parents?”
Gabe waves a hand, irritated. “Fuck them. Sorry Luce, but I’m so sick of having to answer to them. They can kiss my ass. It’s my life. They can’t control me any longer.”
His parents believe Gabe’s relationship with me is a phase. I try my best to not be offended. He’s given up trying to explain to them because as he told me recently, it’s like talking to a brick wall.
I hate that they don’t approve but at least Sydney is on our side. And Mama. Who would’ve thought she’d be so dazzled by Gabe when she first met him? Certainly not me, considering I thought she was immune to all men. I took him to meet her two weeks ago and they hit it off. She never mentioned Satan once the entire time we were there.
But she might freak out over me moving in with a guy, even if it is her newfound love Gabe. Because we are so moving way too fast, I just know it. “Are you sure you want me to move in with you?”
He nods. “More sure of this than anything I’ve ever done before.” His hands slip down my arms, rubbing them gently. “I love you, babe. I want you with me. Always.”
Oh. He says things like that and I’m powerless to resist.
“Okay.” I nod, my mind already a whirl with all the things I need to do. “It won’t be until winter break. I’ll have to give notice at my apartment. And I’ll have to pack up some stuff and put in storage I guess? Since we both have furniture…”
“Bring whatever you want, I have room,” he reassures, giving my arms a squeeze.
“And how much do you want me to pay in rent?”
He gives me a little shake, his expression stern. “You won’t pay rent. I refuse to take your money.”
“But Gabe…”
“No,” he cuts me off. “You struggle enough. I own the house free and clear. I don’t want you to pay me anything. Save whatever you can for tuition, okay? That’s more important.”
I tackle hug him so hard I nearly knock him on his ass. His arms come around me and hold me close as he chuckles close to my ear. “I guess that’s a yes then?”
“Definitely a yes.” I squeeze him tight and close my eyes. “Thank you,” I whisper into his neck. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.” The easy way he says the words makes my heart sing. “I bet Shep is going to call me a copycat.”
I pull away to stare up at him. “Why?”
“He had Jade move in with him just like this and wouldn’t let her pay rent either. She’s an average working girl with the single mama, just like you.”
Right. We do have that in common. In fact, Jade got me a part time job at Light My Fire, the candle shop she works at. It’s enough hours to supplement my income with the hours I lost at The Shack. “I guess you and Shep like working girls,” I tease him as I lean in for another kiss.
He delivers, his warm lips lingering on mine before he speaks. “We do. You’re both practical and you keep us in line.”
“You need it,” I whisper.
“You know it,” he says against my lips before he kisses me again.
I so do.