CHAPTER 24
Falling For You
Gabriela
Hunter invited me and Luna over for dinner and to watch this week’s horror movie so we could complete our weekly assignment. I’d barely eaten today, heartsick with yesterday’s events, that I finally felt my appetite returning with renewed vigour after our shower and talk.
I needed to get ready and rush over to his place, but the first thing on my mind was texting the girls in the group chat the second I crossed my apartment’s threshold.
Guess who officially has a date this Saturday? —Gabby
They read my message immediately. I could see Anna and Layla typing while I put my damp hair in a quick braid, the smile on my face barely wavering. It seemed to be plastered there from the minute Hunter and I left the locker room hand in hand.
Oh my God!! —Layla
This is so exciting!! —Anna
I cornered him in the locker room and we had a really good conversation I don’t know where we’ll be going for our date, but I’m looking forward to it! —Gabby
I purposely omitted the part about what occurred in the shower. I figured I’d give them the whole rundown when I saw them in person.
I’m glad tonight paid off and you guys were able to patch things up —Layla
So happy for you, Gabby. You deserve this —Anna
Thank you both —Gabby
Also, brunch this Sunday? We’re going to want to hear all the details! —Anna
Seconded! —Layla
Brunch on Sunday sounds good! Can’t wait —Gabby
Btw, Josh peered over my shoulder and read our convo. He says congrats. Now he wants to go on a double date. —Layla
I told him we’re not crashing your first date but that we could all hang out another time. He proposed bowling. Obviously, he wants a rematch. —Layla
Josh and I had a competitive streak and we both enjoyed bowling. I beat him the last time we played. He’d been sulking like a sore loser ever since.
LOL sounds like a plan. —Gabby
Let’s invite Sam and make it a triple date. —Layla
?? – Anna
I gasped at the last two texts, in the middle of shimmying on a pair of small black shorts and Hunter’s gifted football jersey.
Sorry, Josh stole my phone and typed that out. He says there was a lot of tension between Sam and Anna this past Friday night. He thinks they both want each other and we should help their courtship by putting them in the same room. —Layla
Tell your boyfriend he’s lost his marbles. —Anna
The only tension present on Friday night was Gabby and Hunter’s. —Anna
There’s nothing going on between Sam and me. —Anna
Anna was getting defensive. But we’d all be lying if we said there hadn’t been something between them.
However, I didn’t want to add more fuel to the fire by saying anything that might bother her.
Layla clearly didn’t get the memo because her next text had my eyes widening as I put on a pair of fluffy socks.
In that case, if Josh invites Sam, maybe we can invite Darla, Dacia, or Hera? What do you think, Gabby? I feel like he could be their type. —Layla
Huh? Was that actually Layla or did Josh steal her phone again?
Anna started typing. Then stopped. And started again.
Not Hera because Shaun’s going to have a fit. But definitely Darla or Dacia. —Gabby
You’re right. Shaun will probably have my balls. Let’s set him up with Dacia. I think he’s got a soft spot for tall, leggy blondes. —Layla
That one hundred percent was Josh, playing matchmaker as usual.
Finally, Anna’s text arrived.
Does Dacia like Sam? —Anna
I rolled my lips into my mouth, surprised. For all her avoidance regarding Sam, maybe she did care a little…
Not in the romantic sense, but if she spends more time in his presence, she definitely will What’s not to like? He’s a catch. Six foot four, rich, hot, and the list goes on. —Layla
Why, does that bother you? —Layla
You sound jealous, Anna. —Layla
If you want Sam all to yourself, all you need to do is come on our triple date. —Layla
I was laughing now, padding over to the kitchen to pour food into Luna’s bowl. It was merciless to allow Josh to unleash his craziness on the group chat, but I was too curious to hear Anna’s reply. Therefore, I let this play out for a while longer.
Why would I be bothered or jealous when I don’t want him? —Anna
Liar!!! —Layla
So is that a yes or no for the triple date?? —Layla
You’re insufferable, Josh. —Anna
I’ll take that as a yes and be sure to tell Sam that you’re looking forward to seeing him —Layla
A few seconds later, another text came from Layla.
Josh abducted my phone and shut me in the bathroom while he texted all of that ^ I’m so sorry, Anna. —Layla
You give him too much free rein. It’s time to tighten his leash. —Anna
Oh, believe me, I know. Tonight, as punishment, I’m going to tie him to the bedposts like a prisoner. —Layla
No, stop! He’s going to love that! —Gabby
You’re probably right —Layla
We said our good nights in the chat and then I picked up Luna in one arm, her bowl in the other, and strategically shut off the lights with my elbow. When I stepped out into the empty hallway, Hunter’s door was already ajar, anticipating our arrival.
Luna squirmed and I placed her on the ground while I locked our apartment. She instantly walked over to Hunter’s home and I followed suit, pausing briefly at the door when I beheld the most adorable sight.
Hunter and Luna.
Bare-chested and only wearing low-slung sweatpants, he was petting my cat, who happily snuggled into his arms with her eyes closed like it was her safe space.
“Hi, Luna,” he cooed, smiling. “I’ve missed you.”
She tried to climb him, her paws shifting on either side of his neck in a hug. He returned it, his palm coasting down her back in a caress. She meowed and he rested his cheek against her head gently. “Yes, you’ve missed me too, huh?”
Was it possible to feel your heart being mended, one stitch at a time? Hunter had always treated me so sweetly, but seeing him do the same—relentlessly and effortlessly—whenever he encountered my Luna? It healed a broken part of me.
Franco had constantly ignored her, despite her loving nature.
Yet Hunter always embraced my cat with open arms and doted on her.
“She has missed you,” I said upon entering, placing Luna’s bowl on the floor next to the console table and snicking the front door shut.
Hunter’s blue gaze warmed, seeing me in his jersey. “Well, if it isn’t my two favourite girls. Welcome home.”
I loved the sound of my two favourite girls and home a little too much.
Keeping his eyes on me, Hunter gently lowered Luna to the ground and she headed straight for her bowl. That was my cue to skip over to him and throw my arms around his neck in a hug. As if I hadn’t seen him in days, not mere minutes. “Hi, pretty boy.”
“Hi, doll.” He kissed my lips. “My jersey looks even better on you than it does on me.”
I doubted anyone could look as good as Hunter in this jersey. But I played along, giving him a little twirl. “Right? I look so cute.”
“That you do.” He chuckled at my cheekiness and reached for my hand, weaving our fingers together. “Come. Let’s have dinner. You must be hungry.”
I was famished.
Later, I’d ask him for a tour of his apartment. I never got a chance to properly see it, considering the last time I was here was under not-so-ideal circumstances. The swift glance I shot at our surroundings concluded that Hunter had impeccable taste.
The kitchen was illuminated with mellow light from the stovetop and votive candles sitting on the island counter, awarding the space a cozy and romantic ambience.
The smell of herbs and citrus drew my attention towards a simmer spot, perfuming the air with a scent that was quintessentially autumn.
I loved that Hunter took the time to make his space into an actual home with these touches.
“Do you usually light candles?” I commented.
“Only when I’m expecting a beautiful girl to come over.” He smiled at me conspiratorially before his eyes wandered to Luna eating near the foyer. “Girls,” he amended.
Be still, my heart. “Charmer.”
“I aim to please,” he repeated the same words from the night of Shaun’s party.
I fought the urge to squeeze Hunter in my arms and plant kisses all over his face. “What’s for dinner?”
“I’m making you a grilled cheese sandwich. My specialty.” He pulled out a few ingredients from his fridge, including a familiar red dish. “And I’m having your lasagna.” He cast an apologetic glance my way. “I didn’t get to try it yet.”
“That’s okay.” I gave him a reassuring grin. “I hope you enjoy it.”
“I know I will.”
When Hunter stood in front of the kitchen counter to prepare my dinner, I decided I wanted to watch him do so.
I hugged him from behind and pressed my cheek to his muscular arm.
My principe was an endless hearth, providing warmth and shelter, and I’d been cold for too long.
Hunter dipped his face to lay a kiss on my head and then went about his task.
Meticulously slicing fresh sourdough bread, spreading generous dollops of his homemade garlic butter on each side, caramelizing onions, and gathering a mixture of three cheeses, followed up by bundling the sandwich and dropping it carefully into a hot pan.
Next to it, tomato soup was being reheated in a pot on the stovetop.
When he finished plating my food, I was close to a marriage proposal.
This man could cook, clean, drive, dress nice, and give me mind-numbing orgasms? He was too good to be true. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world, given the privilege to experience him.
“Thank you for making me dinner.” I peered up at him with—no doubt—hearts in my eyes, accepting the plate from his hands.
Hunter beamed. “You’re welcome, Gabby. Grab a seat. I’ll be with you in a moment.”