20. Dani
Dani
“Can you help me with this zipper? I think it’s stuck.”
Gavin walks over and stops behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Or—” he draws out. “You could just forget the dress and stay here a little longer.” He leans down and places a soft kiss on my neck.
“You are unbelievable,” I giggle. “How do you have anything left in you?”
After our go in the shower, we ended up having sex two more times. According to Gavin, we needed to take full advantage of the hotel room. I need to take a real shower now, but that will have to wait until I get back to my room.
“I told you,” he says softly. “I will never get enough of you.”
The words land heavier than they should, but in a good way. Still, something in my chest tightens.
“Speaking of that…” I turn in his arms to face him. Being this close makes it harder to say, but I push through it anyway. “I think we need to talk about whatever this is.”
He nods, already there with me. “We do.” He exhales, running a hand down my back like he’s steadying himself. “And as much as it kills me not to just tell you to be mine and ride off into the sunset together…” A smirk tugs at his mouth. “I think we should wait to have that conversation.”
I blink. “Huh?”
“I don’t want to mess this up again,” he says, and there’s no teasing now. “I refuse to.” His thumb brushes absentmindedly over my skin as he continues. “Once the bliss of last night—and this morning,” he adds with a knowing look, “wears off, then we should talk. Really talk.”
My heart starts to race. This man.
“You just ended things with Sam,” he goes on. “Literally twelve hours ago. And while I don’t think this is a rebound—God, I really hope it isn’t—I want you to be sure. I want you to know what you’re choosing.”
His words settle over me. There’s no pressure with them.
“Maybe once we’ve been home for a few days,” he finishes, “we can talk and figure out what this really is.”
I don’t answer right away. Instead, I reach up, pulling his face down to mine, pressing a brief, grateful kiss to his lips. “Thank you.” I smile.
It’s not the response I expected from Gavin. Not even close. But I’m not upset. If anything, I’m the opposite. I can’t remember the last time someone put my feelings first like that.
Well, besides Alexa.
Speaking of which.
“I really should get going,” I add reluctantly. “I don’t want Alexa freaking out when she finds me missing from my room.”
“I take it that means you’re not going to tell her about this?” I can’t tell if he’s upset about that or not.
Honestly, I haven’t decided yet. I don’t keep things from Alexa. Ever. But this is… complicated. Isn’t it?
Or maybe it only feels complicated because I’m overthinking it. I have a real talent for that.
See? This is exactly why I need to tell Alexa.
Ugh.
“How would you feel if I told her?”
“I know she’s your best friend. Hell, she’s becoming a good friend of mine too. I just think maybe we should figure this out between us first?”
I nod. “That’s fair. I really should get going.” I start to make my way towards the door when Gavin calls my name.
I turn. “Yeah?”
“Uh, your…” He gestures towards my open zipper.
“Shit. Do you mind?”
He walks over and manages to pull up the stuck material. “I’m the only one who gets to see you that exposed now.”
Was he always a smooth talker like this?
His words make my cheeks flush, and I rush out the door before we end up going for another round.
I walk back into my room, unable to hide my smile. Is this the beginning of a fresh start for us? Are Gavin and I getting our chance that we lost all those years ago?
I need a shower. And coffee.
As I start to strip out of my gown, I hear the door connecting Alexa’s and my rooms open. I turn to find Alexa standing there with the biggest grin on her face. “And where have you been?”
“What do you mean?” I ask naively.
“I came over here around five this morning in search of Advil, and you were nowhere to be found.”
“I went for a walk to clear my head.”
“In your gown?”
Fuck.
“I wanted to get your money’s worth…” I wince.
“Nice try, lady. Spill. You were with Gavin.” It’s not a question.
Even if I wanted to lie, the stupid grin that spreads across my face the second she says his name gives me away. I don’t bother fighting it and just nod.
Alexa lets out the loudest squeal and wraps me in a hug, swinging me from side to side.
“I’m so fucking happy,” she yells. “It’s about damn time. The sexual tension between you two was driving me nuts. Okay, tell me everything. How was it? Just as good as before? Better? Worse? Do we need to go into hiding?”
A small giggle escapes me as she grabs my hands and drags me to the bed to sit.
“It was incredible,” I sigh. “I always remember sex with Gavin being great, but this was on another level. I don’t know if it was because things with Sam were so off lately, or what, but when I was with Gavin, I didn’t want it to end.”
“Speaking of which, what are you going to do about Sam?”
“Yeah, about that. We broke up.”
Alexa’s mouth drops open. “When?”
“Last night during our phone call. I ended it. I couldn’t do it anymore. He wasn’t supporting me like I always supported him.” I sit up straighter for this next part. “I put myself first for once.”
“I’m really proud of you. You know I’ve never been Sam’s biggest fan. But this was the right move. You needed to do this. Even if there was no Gavin, Sam wasn’t for you.”
“I think you’re right.”
“So where did you and Gavin leave things this morning?”
I hesitate for half a second, choosing my words carefully. “We’re going to talk about it when we get back home. Not let the… freshness of last night cloud our judgment about anything.”
“Ah. Orgasm fog. Got it.”
“Alexa!” I groan, burying my face in my hands, equal parts mortified and amused.
She just laughs. “What? I’m not wrong.” Then her voice softens, turning sincere. “And if he makes you this happy”—she gestures at my still-too-obvious smile—“he has my full support.”
Hearing Alexa say that makes me feel all warm inside. She never said stuff like this before about Sam, so she must be serious about it.
Alexa heads back to her room, leaving me alone to get ready for the airport. I manage a shower and fresh clothes, but somewhere between drying my hair and zipping my suitcase, the adrenaline from last night finally wears off. What replaces it is a hangover to rival all hangovers.
I barely make it to the bathroom before I’m kneeling on the tile, clinging to the toilet like my life depends on it. I fumble for my phone and text Alexa, asking if she can bring me some apple juice. If I’m going to survive this flight, I’m going to need it.
Ten minutes later, she appears in the doorway holding a small bottle of juice and a pack of saltine crackers. Just the sight of them sends me diving back toward the toilet.
Alexa kneels beside me, pulling my hair back without a word. Have I mentioned she’s my best friend? And possibly my hero?
Eventually, after what feels like an eternity but is probably only twenty minutes, my body decides it’s done punishing me. I sit back against the tub, exhausted but grateful to be upright again. I sip the apple juice, nibble the crackers, and slowly start to feel human. Or at least human-adjacent.
Once we’re packed and checked out, we wheel our suitcases down to the lobby. As we cut through the casino toward the limo pickup area, something makes me glance to my right.
Gavin is sitting on one of the couches, hunched slightly over his phone, completely absorbed in whatever’s on the screen. For a moment, I just watch him. The way his brows furrow when he’s focused. The tiny crinkle of his nose I somehow never noticed before.
Then, it hits me—even now, even after everything—I’m still discovering new things about him.
“Yo, Baker!” Alexa yells as we get closer.
Gavin looks up and our eyes meet. A smile forms so hard across his face, it might crack.
“And how are you feeling this fine morning?” Alexa giggles, doing a terrible job of pretending she doesn’t know exactly what she’s implying.
“Totally fine,” Gavin says easily, lifting his water bottle in a mock toast. “What about you ladies?”
“I’m great,” Alexa replies, gesturing in my direction. “But Dani… not so much. She might need a little extra help today.” She shoots Gavin a very deliberate wink.
Heat creeps up my neck as Alexa breezes past us toward the limo, leaving me standing there with him, and the weight of her words hanging in the air.
Subtle, Alexa. Really subtle.
“You okay?” Concern drips from Gavin’s words.
“Just hungover. I’ll be fine. Let’s get going. Don’t want to be late.”
Gavin reaches for my suitcase handle, and his hand settles over mine like it belongs there. I look up at him, and for a brief, quiet moment, the ache in my body fades into the background. The hangover, the noise, the chaos of the casino, all of it disappears.
“Limo’s here! Let’s go!” Alexa calls, shattering the bubble.
I pull my hand away and let Gavin take my suitcase.
As he heads for the doors, I trail after him, and I can’t stop my gaze from glancing at his ass.
Memories of seeing it bare last night fill my mind.
Heat rushes to my face, my pulse skipping like I’ve been caught doing something I absolutely shouldn’t be thinking about in public.
I shake my head and force my attention forward. The last thing I need is to be wound up for the entire trip home… even if my body very clearly disagrees.
The flight back to San Diego is brutal. By the time we step off the jet bridge, I know I’m not going to make it. I bolt for the nearest trash can and lose whatever dignity I had left right there in front of the gate. No bathroom. No warning. Just the full, merciless aftermath of last night.
Fuck this hangover.
I vaguely register people staring, but I honestly don’t care. If there’s a rock-bottom level of embarrassment, I’ve already hit it.
A few minutes later, my stomach finally stops trying to revolt and Alexa appears at my side like the guardian angel she is, guiding me to the ladies’ room. I clean myself up as best I can, staring at my reflection in the mirror afterward. I’m pale, exhausted, and very much paying for my choices.
Totally worth it? Jury’s still out.
Once I feel human enough to rejoin the world, we head back into the terminal. Gavin is waiting for us at a nearby quick-bites place, and the second I spot him, something in my chest eases.
Even through the nausea and exhaustion, the sight of him feels grounding.
“I got you some water.” Gavin pushes a glass of ice-cold water towards me.
“Thank you,” I sigh, taking a seat.
I take slow, small sips, letting the cold liquid soothe my burning throat.
“You probably shouldn’t get into another moving vehicle right now,” Gavin says.
“I don’t have anywhere I need to be,” Alexa adds. “So, we can hang here as long as you need.”
“Same,” Gavin says without hesitation.
The fact that neither of them makes it feel like an inconvenience does something to my chest. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it.” I manage a small smile. “They have pretzel bites. Anyone want to split?”
“Already ordered us some. And chips and salsa. Should be out soon,” Gavin replies.
I laugh softly. “My hero.”
He smiles back, and there it is again. That warm, steady feeling that settles in whenever he’s nearby.
I tell myself it’s probably just the hangover messing with my emotions.
But deep down, I know better.
The food arrives, and we eat while talking about the upcoming workweek. Or at least, they talk. The way I’m feeling, a sick day tomorrow is looking more and more likely. I keep my head down, forcing myself to nibble on a pretzel bite, hoping my stomach cooperates.
When I finally lift my eyes, I catch Gavin watching me. There’s no concern in his expression, just something soft and familiar. A small smile tugs at his mouth.
I return it instinctively, then quickly drop my gaze again so Alexa doesn’t catch us silently flirting over baked dough.
Or so I thought.
“Is this how it’s gonna be now?” Alexa asks.
“Huh?” Gavin looks at her, genuinely confused.
“Am I officially the odd one out now that you two are doing it?”
Gavin’s head snaps toward me. “You told her?”
“No… yes… she kind of figured it out,” I mumble, sinking lower in my chair hoping it might swallow me whole.
“Her sneaking back into our connecting rooms in her gown this morning was a bit of a giveaway, buddy,” Alexa says, not even trying to hide her grin.
Gavin’s ears turn red, and I have to fight the urge to laugh at how ridiculously endearing he looks.
“Don’t worry,” Alexa adds. “I won’t say anything. I know you two need to figure out whatever this is”—she gestures between us—“but do it fast, because I like seeing my girl as happy as she was this morning.”
The thought of waking up wrapped in Gavin’s arms flashes through my mind. How safe I felt, how easy it was to breathe beside him. A warmth settles deep in my chest, something I haven’t felt in a long time.
Me too, Alexa. Me too.