Chapter 14 Noah
NOAH
Opening day was such a rush, but now that a couple of days have passed, and the dust has settled, we’ve got regulars trickling in that don’t need sign-ups or demos nonstop.
Meaning I can actually take a minute between clients.
Jules is running a mobility session in the corner, Zeke’s showing a guy how to set up a squat rack, and Aiden’s in the office grumbling at the computer.
My mind keeps circling back to Gabe and the friendship we’re building. We run most mornings, we talk most nights. I’ve even gotten him to play Just Dance with me again. He seems more relaxed around me now, still jumps at times, and has that faraway look in his eyes some days, but he’s more present.
I see the way he tries so hard.
The author event is tonight, and I’m sure he’s working himself up over it. Every part of me strains to leave the gym and get back to him. Not that he’s asked me to be there for him, but I want to be.
By the time my last client leaves, I’m sweaty, starving, and itching to get home.
I’ve decided I’m going to do my best to look good tonight—better than good. I want to show up looking like I have my shit together. I mean, I kinda do, I’m twenty-seven and co-own a gym.
I shower quickly, shave, pull on my best pair of jeans, and a crisp blue shirt.
I roll the sleeves to my elbows and let my hair air-dry so it curls a little at the edges.
I pause at the mirror. Not bad. Am I overdressed for a bookstore event?
Shit, I dunno. I’ve never been to one before, maybe I’m trying too hard.
Fantastic. Nothing screams casual support like panic-shaving and overdressing.
I look at myself and huff. I’m feeling self-conscious, and it’s not something I’m used to. The hopeful, foolish part of me wants to look good for Gabe. Which is silly, I doubt he’ll even notice.
When I step into the hallway, Gabe’s door is open.
He’s standing in front of the mirror, wearing a deep-green shirt that brings out the different tones in his eyes.
His trembling fingers are doing up the last button.
The shirt fits perfectly, showing that lean body, the defined muscles of his back rippling as he shifts. Fuck, he looks delicious.
“You look beautiful,” I say before I can think better of it. Probably shouldn’t have said that, but here we are.
His head snaps toward me, eyes wide. That blush I can’t get enough of blooms across his cheeks.
He shifts on his feet. “Oh. Um, you too. I mean, thanks.” I smirk at him, enjoying his stammering more than I should, but it’s adorable. He lets out a shaky laugh, then finally locks eyes with me. “You look… good. Really good.”
He bites his lip, eyes flicking down my chest before darting back up like he didn’t mean to look. For one reckless second, I think he might actually be checking me out. The thought sets off a quiet, dangerous kind of hope that I have to shove down before it runs wild.
“See you down there.”
I throw him a wink before leaving, and I can’t stop grinning the whole way downstairs.
The place looks great. Wildflowers in jars line the windows, rows of chairs where display tables used to be, and a refreshments table near the door.
“Everything looks perfect,” Abbie says, stepping back to admire it.
“Of course it does,” Ciarán mutters in a serious tone, eyes narrowing on the space. He’s clearly in work mode. “I’ve been working on it most of the day.”
I lean on the counter, grinning. “You crushed it. Seriously. This looks amazing.”
Ciarán shoots me a wink, then turns to Gabe, who’s just stepped into the space, softening his voice.
“Hi, you look very handsome,” he starts, making Gabe shift awkwardly, but he’s smiling.
“If you’re up for it, you could do an intro tonight.
Give them the charming-bookstore-owner experience.
Only if you want to. If not, I’ll do it. No pressure.”
Gabe goes still. His thumb brushes the scar on his cheekbone, shoulders pulled up tight.
Ciarán steps closer to him and touches Gabe’s hand gently.
My body tenses, and a pang of jealousy shoots through me.
It’s a small, comforting touch, friendly, there’s nothing romantic in it.
But it burns. I want to be the one touching him, comforting him.
“I—uh—maybe?” He sounds unsure. Then his eyes find mine across the space. I can see him settle, and there’s a resolve in his eyes.
“I’ll do it,” he says, voice clearer. His eyes flick to mine again, like he’s drawing from something I haven’t offered out loud but knows I’ll give him.
Pride hits so hard it almost buckles my knees. I have to bite back a grin because I don’t want to spook him, but fuck, I want to cross the room and kiss his forehead or something.
I just give him a small nod. If I open my mouth right now, I might say too much.
Like how I’m wondering if he wants to live here forever or if we should look at houses with bigger gardens. Which is insane because there’s nothing more than friendship between us. No matter how badly I wish it were more.
The chairs start filling. The space feels alive.
Familiar faces from around town flit in.
Lou and Bria from Kindle’s grab front-row seats, already chatting with half the room.
A few of Gabe’s regulars drift in, plus some people I don’t recognize but Ciarán clearly does—judging by the air kisses and cheeky comments.
Aiden arrives with Rose perched on his hip, taking the event in with wide eyes. He puts her down to stand on the floor, and she claps the second she hears laughter, letting out a squeal that makes half the room turn to smile.
“Mio tesoro,” Ciarán says, crouching down like he’s been waiting for this moment all day. His whole face softens when Rose launches herself at him, and he spins her until she giggles so hard she hiccups.
He rattles off something in Italian, smooth with a practiced tongue, and Rose babbles back like she knows exactly what he’s saying.
I blink, surprised he knows another language. “Is that… Italian?”
Ciarán glances over his shoulder at me, smirking. “Half Italian, half Irish. The drama’s in my blood.”
“That explains so much,” I tease, and he laughs before going back to Rose, cooing something that makes her giggle again.
Aiden doesn’t say anything, just stands there watching with a look I’ve never seen on him before—like he’s trying to piece together how the man who drives him up the wall can also make his daughter this happy.
I cross the room to where Gabe stands near the podium, shoulders almost up to his ears. His thumb keeps finding its way back to his cheek.
“All good?” I murmur, just for him.
He glances at me, like he wasn’t expecting me to notice. He blinks rapidly, nods, then shakes his head, takes a breath, and nods more firmly. Not all good, but he’s trying. Beautiful, brave man.
“I’m here,” I tell him. He searches my face and must find what he needs because after a moment, his shoulders loosen instantly.
When the chairs are full and the room settles, Gabe steps up to the mic. His fingers quiver as he adjusts the stand, not enough for anyone else to notice, but I’m watching like a hawk. The tension is back in his shoulders. His eyes flick to me like a compass finding north.
I meet his gaze and give him the smallest nod of encouragement.
He takes a breath and starts to speak.
“G-Good evening,” he says, voice shaky at first, then steadier as the words find their way. “Welcome to Evergreen Books. It’s been a while since we hosted an event like this, and I… I’m really glad you’re all here.”
His gaze darts back to me once more before he continues. My heart is in my throat. I want this to go well for him. I need it to. He deserves it.
“We’re honored to have River Wynn with us tonight, reading from his debut fantasy novel. I had the pleasure of reading it during the week. It’s a story about love, lace, and finding your people—and it’s weird and wonderful and very, very queer. Please give him a warm welcome.”
The room erupts in applause, causing him to jump slightly, but everyone’s eyes are on River now. Everyone’s but mine.
Gabe steps back, a little breathless, but his mouth curves into a proud smile. My chest tightens.
He looks right at me like he knows I saw all of it—the nerves, the courage—and all I can think is, no wonder I could never make a relationship work in the past, nobody else ever stood a chance. Not when Gabe Shaw is here.
He makes a beeline straight for me before sitting down, his knee pressed to mine.
“I did it,” he says, voice thick, tears brightening his green eyes.
For a split second, I consider putting my hand on the small of his back, pulling him into me, doing something—anything—to tell him how proud I am. Instead, I just nod, grinning like an idiot.
“Yeah. You did it.”
River is electric on stage—charismatic, sarcastic, perfectly timed. His readings from The Lace Assassin’s Guide to Love and Larceny are hilarious.
I hear Theo before I see him, leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed, laughing throughout the reading.
When the applause fades, the room buzzes—people chatting, getting their books signed, no one’s rushing to leave. Aiden strolls around the room, Rose asleep on his shoulder now. Every time he looks toward Gabe, his smile widens.
Gabe wanders over toward them while I weave through the chairs toward Theo. “Hey, man, didn’t know you were coming,” I greet.
He shrugs. “Saw a flyer over at Split Pea. Figured I’d check it out.” He glances around, expression approving. “Good vibe.”
“Yeah,” I say, nodding toward Gabe at the signing table. “He worked hard to get this place ready. Gabe is Aiden’s brother.”
Before Theo can reply, Ciarán appears like he’s been summoned, eyes bright and dangerous. He looks Theo up and down. “And who is this fine specimen?”
Theo barks out a laugh and takes Ciarán’s offered hand, brings it to his lips, and presses a kiss to it.