The Grumpy Roommate Gamble (Heroes of Huckleberry Creek #1)

12. Felicity

TWELVE

FELICITY

“I knew it. I knew forced proximity would win out!” Austen crowed.

Given the volume of her exclamation, I was grateful no one else was in the bookshop to overhear. Not that Gabe and I had actually discussed telling everyone about us. We hadn’t actually defined our relationship at all, though our cohabitation had taken on a decidedly couply, domestic tone over the past couple of weeks. Before Gabe Bishop, I hadn’t known it was possible to be both happy and deeply frustrated at the same time.

“But, I mean, has it? Things have sort of… stalled out.” He was affectionate and sweet, and he’d curled my toes on multiple occasions, but he hadn’t gone any further than he had that night on the sofa, despite the fact that I’d made it abundantly clear I was on board with more.

“Stalled out in a he’s-no-longer-interested kind of way or stalled out in a he’s-trying-to-be-a-respectful-gentleman kind of way?”

“He’s interested.” Courtesy of biology, I knew that beyond the shadow of a doubt. He wanted me as much as I wanted him, and I didn’t understand what the holdup was .

Austen nodded. “So probably being a gentleman, making sure not to push you too far, too fast. That’s sweet, actually.”

“It is sweet. But also… I feel like I’m going to spontaneously combust around him. I want more.”

“Then you should be frank with him and say so.”

I blanched. “But what if I say so, and he rejects me?”

“I seriously doubt he’s going to say no. But you can always pad your chances. Set the stage for seduction. Maybe a nice candlelit dinner and music.”

Of course, that made me think about our dance in the rain and our first kiss. He wasn’t immune to romance. So maybe Austen was right, and it was my turn to seduce him out of this noble streak.

“I can do that. Probably.”

“Damn straight you can. Maybe you can get off work early.”

I checked my watch. “Maybe. Either way, I gotta get back to the shop. Thanks for the ear.”

“Anytime!”

In the end, I wasn’t able to get away from work early. But Gabe had texted that he’d be a little late getting home, so I still had time to make things work. Back at the house, I quickly pulled out the ingredients for dinner. Carbonara was fast and delicious. Then I set the table, complete with more flowers and candles. Upstairs, I set out more candles and more flowers around his room. I could have done it in mine. The better to hide away the evidence if he rejected me. But his was the bigger bed, and I was no longer interested in hiding.

Presumptuous? Maybe. But seduction was the whole point of this exercise.

I was digging through music, trying to decide on the proper backdrop, when I heard the front door open.

I met Gabe in the foyer, expecting to see him filthy from the job site. But he appeared freshly showered.

“Hey. I thought you were coming from work.”

“Actually, I cut out early.”

“Oh, did you have to go pick up some more supplies for the house?”

“Actually, I went to pick up something for you.”

“Me?” I recognized the logo for Plot Twist on the side of the shopping bag in his hand. “Did you buy me a book?” Austen certainly hadn’t said anything when I’d been there earlier today.

“Sort of.” He looked unaccountably nervous as he extended the bag to me.

It was heavier than I’d expected, definitely with more than one book inside. Infinitely curious, I pulled out the stack. I recognized the titles immediately, and my throat went tight. Out of sheer compulsion, I slowly opened the covers. Each one was signed by the author.

“You…” My voice cracked, and I had to try again. “You got replacements for all the books Dad got me that were ruined.”

Gabe’s shoulders hunched, and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I know it’s not the same. They weren’t made out to you in particular, but I had Austen track down as many as she could find. I just… I wanted to give you a little something back.”

This was so much more than a little something. The gesture grabbed me by the heart, and I struggled to hold back tears because I knew they’d only make Gabe panic. But I gave up the fight as the lifelong crush I’d had on this man slid headlong into love.

Setting the books on the table beside the door, I moved into his arms, wrapping him tight in a hug that trembled a little. When he pulled me close, something inside me settled. On a sigh, I reached to cup his face between my palms, drawing his mouth to mine.

“Thank you.”

“Sure. ”

Stepping back, I took his hand and began pulling him toward the stairs.

“Where are we going?”

I glanced back at him. “Upstairs, so I can thank you properly.”

Gabe stopped, a mix of alarm and arousal flaring in his eyes. “That’s not why I did this.”

“I know. Come upstairs with me, Gabriel. Please.”