Chapter 21

Gabe pushedthe knotted material upward and shifted her tie to sit just lower than the open top button of her shirt. There; smart but casual. She glanced at the matching vest lying on the bed, trying to decide if it might be too much.

“If you’re trying to impress her parents, I think you’re wasting your time,” Shay said from the doorway of Gabe’s bedroom. “If they don’t like you after their Tuesday visit to the garage, they never will.”

“You don’t think they like me?” She could’ve said that she wasn’t trying to impress Lori’s parents, but Shay would’ve seen through the lie before she’d finished the sentence.

Shay arched her eyebrow. “I think they’re two steps away from adopting you, or maybe even all of us. Since they’re branching out into human care now, you’d be a good starting point.”

“What did you think about that?” Gabe shoved the vest back in her closet. “I think it sounds too good to be true.”

Shay entered Gabe’s bedroom and eased herself onto the armchair, her slinky dress and heels clearly making it difficult to go that low. “You don’t think he’s going to pull it off?”

“I didn’t say that. I’m just not convinced that it will go any further after his pilot project. You know what governments are like with fresh initiatives; they grow tired of them and move onto the next shiny object that will keep their presidential approval ratings high.”

“I don’t know about that. If he secures the backing of that billionaire tech woman, he can almost do what he wants, where he wants to. He won’t need government approval. RB seemed really excited by it.” Shay eyeballed Gabe through her reflection in the mirror. “Or don’t you want it to work in case Lori gets pulled into it?”

“Do you think she’d leave the Sanctuary?” Gabe turned around to face Shay. “I mean, of course I want it to work. It’s a fantastic idea, and anything that helps us all when we leave the service is great. Obviously.”

“But you don’t want to lose your new…friend.”

Gabe sat on the edge of her bed. “Friend, yeah.”

“So last Saturday was just drunk, harmless flirting and nothing more?”

It’d been beautiful torture but knowing nothing could come of it also had her feeling a little melancholy about it still. “Yep. Thankfully.”

Shay laughed. “Rather you than me. She brought her A-game out. If I’d been you, I would’ve taken her to the nearest hotel before we even finished the first game of pool.”

“Lucky it wasn’t you then, but you did end up with her best friend, so it wasn’t exactly a bad night for you either.”

Shay wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m aiming for a repeat performance tonight.”

“Be careful, Shay. If you mess Rosie around, it’ll make things awkward with Lori.”

“Relax, you don’t need to worry about that. No-strings sex, like always.”

“Which is fun till it unravels, right?”

“No one’s unraveling, Gabe. We’re just having fun, and we both know it. Anyway,” Shay tapped the arm of the chair, “we were talking about you, Lori, and her family.”

Gabe huffed and shook her head. “I thought parents like that were fictional. Have you ever seen anything like them outside of the movies?”

“You know I haven’t experienced it, just like you. It was a bit tough to watch if you want my honest opinion.”

Gabe pulled her shoes on and began to tie the laces. “Wasn’t it? Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy that Lori has great parents but seeing that kind of love in action just made me wonder how the hell my mom and dad managed to fuck me up.”

“You didn’t turn out so bad,” Shay said and winked.

“No thanks to them.”

Shay sighed. “You molded yourself and became a hero despite their influence, Gabe.”

“Yeah, I know that. But coming out of the Army has made me realize that I’ve still got some big hang-ups because of them.” And talking out her childhood stuff with Lori had furthered that realization.

“Like what?”

“When Lori and I babysat Solo’s triplets, we talked about having kids?—”

“Whoa. Rewind. You talked about having kids with your friend?”

“No, of course not. Not together.” Gabe buffed the toe of her shoes with a cloth and then sat back on the bed. “But Lori said she couldn’t wait to have kids, whereas I couldn’t think of anything worse than having to be responsible for raising little human beings.”

“Because she’s had great parents, but you think you’d mess it up?”

“Exactly.” Gabe stood and went into her en suite for some cologne. “I could just repeat the same mistakes, or I could be a great parent because mine weren’t.”

RB rapped on Gabe’s open bedroom door. “Our ride’s here. Are you guys ready?”

“Yeah.” Gabe grabbed her leather jacket and slipped her wallet and phone into the pockets.

When Shay got to her feet and smoothed her dress, RB leaned against the doorjamb and shook her head. “Man, you clean up good.”

“Sorry I can’t return the compliment,” Shay said and sashayed out into the corridor.

Gabe grasped RB’s shoulder. “Do you own anything other than jeans, sweats, and T-shirts?” she asked, taking in RB’s outfit.

“Nope. What’s your problem? These are my best jeans, and I’m wearing a new shirt.”

“Might’ve been nice if you’d hung the creases out, buddy,” Gabe said.

“I’m going out for dinner, not for a job interview.” RB shoved Gabe out of the bedroom. “Let’s go. You don’t want to be late for the birthday girl, Romeo.”

“Fuck off with that. And don’t say girl; it’s sexist.” Gabe jogged downstairs and waited for everyone to leave, then she locked the door and squeezed into the backseat with RB and Woody, trying to ignore the squad of butterflies assembled in her stomach.

After the quick cab ride to the restaurant, Woody and RB went for drinks while Gabe and Shay took a booth in the bar to wait for everyone else to arrive. Gabe was savoring a sip of her whiskey as it warmly snaked down her throat when the restaurant door opened, and Lori walked in.

Or maybe she floated in, because she cast a magic spell the moment her high heel stepped over the threshold. Gabe had never seen any woman look that spectacular. Her cabernet-colored, floor-length dress brushed over her hips but clung to her breasts. Gabe could barely keep from staring at Lori’s plunging neckline. As she took another step, the dress parted in a slit that revealed Lori’s leg—was she wearing black opaque stockings? Jesus Christ, they were the Devil’s own work. Even from this distance, Gabe could see her nails and heels matched perfectly. And her hair… Tumbling curls cascaded onto her shoulders, forcing Gabe to imagine wrapping her fingers into the ringlets as she pressed Lori against the wall and kissed her the way she’d wanted to from the first moment she saw her.

“Oh. My. God,” Shay whispered. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Everythinghad gone weak. Gabe placed her drink on the table to avoid dropping the glass. “Are you seriously quoting the Bible at me right now?”

“I am. You’re going to need Her help if Lori puts the moves on you looking like that.”

“Truth.”

Angie Davis. Elodie Fontaine. Rachel Harari. All the beautiful movie stars in the world could’ve walked in behind Lori, and Gabe wouldn’t have seen them. It was like she suddenly had tunnel vision as everything else in the restaurant went into a soft-focus vignette, while Lori went into sharp, high-res HD.

Gabe locked eyes with her and gave her a weak-ass wave, as if all her power had drained out of her and her bones lacked the strength to hold her up. How the hell could one woman possess that kind of dominance over her faculties?

“Pull it together, Gabe. Her parents are right behind her, and you’re being more than a little obvious.”

Gabe blinked, breaking the connection. For now.

“Looks like Rosie only has eyes for you,” Gabe said when she saw the obvious desire in Rosie’s gaze, which was fixed on Shay. Rosie had come dressed to kill too.

“As it should be,” Shay said.

Cocky words aside, Shay looked nonplussed as she looked at Rosie in her black sheath dress. Gabe stood as Rosie, Lori, and her parents were led over by the ma?tre d’ holding a stack of menus. They all said their hellos as they followed him to their table toward the quieter part of the restaurant. Lori’s hand brushed Gabe’s, and though she wanted to grab hold and never let go, she stuffed her hand in her pocket instead. If she had any chance of surviving tonight without doing something she’d promised not to do, there was no way she could lean into Lori’s flirtatiousness. And especially not in front of her parents, whom she did want to impress in spite of herself.

She inhaled deeply when she became aware of Lori’s signature citrusy scent. Then she prayed that Lori’s parents would insist on sandwiching Lori between them so Gabe could have some much-needed distance.

“Gabe, why don’t you sit at the head of the table with Lori?” Hank asked.

He couldn’t have read Gabe’s mind because if he had, he would never have put his daughter anywhere near her. “Er, no, that’s okay. You should both sit with her.”

Hank patted Gabe on the shoulder. “Absolutely not. This is a double celebration: Lori’s birthday and the restoration project, which never would’ve happened without you.”

He gently pushed her closer to Lori, who slipped her hand around Gabe’s forearm and squeezed.

“Lucky me,” Lori whispered.

God help me if she’s already buzzed. RB and Woody threw her amused glances and sat at the opposite end of the table.

“Hey, everyone. Sorry we’re late.”

Gabe looked up to see Solo and Janie, dressed to kill but looking flustered.

“Let me guess: Tia?” Lori asked and laughed lightly.

“Got it in one,” Solo said as she pulled out Janie’s chair, scraping it loudly across the floor.

“She’s gotten into the habit of pulling Luna’s hair until Luna starts to sob,” Janie said. “When Luna cries, Chloe starts for no reason.” She shook her head and looked at Lori’s mom. “Karen, I’m beginning to see the wisdom of just having one, like you and Hank did.”

Karen chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know. I think Lori would’ve liked a sibling, even one that yanked her hair.”

Lori nodded. “Didn’t I spend two years nagging you for a sister when we first moved to Thailand?”

“You did, that’s right,” Hank said. “But your sole reason was that you wanted someone to speak English to. You were scared that you were going to forget the language while you were at school all day.”

Lori placed her hand over Gabe’s. “In my defense, I was only eight…”

The touch of Lori’s hand sent a wave of heat through Gabe’s body, but she managed to stay in place. “Then you’re forgiven,” she said, sure that she’d forgive Lori anything anytime.

“Should we look at the menu?” Karen asked. “I’m hungry after all the riding we did today.”

Hank ordered some champagne, then everyone settled into small talk while they checked out the food.

Gabe edged toward Lori. “Are you sure you’re okay with sharing your birthday like this?”

“Already asked and answered on Tuesday, Gabe,” Lori said. “I love that my dad wanted to thank you for what you’ve done.” She leaned in close so that her breath whispered against Gabe’s ear. “You and your team have been so wonderful, I’d share anything with you.”

Gabe gulped. She wanted Lori to clarify that last part—anything with her or anything with all of them?—but said nothing. She’d been getting a better handle on this friendship thing until Lori’s hustler performance last weekend. Now it was like she was back to the beginning, struggling to control herself.

She felt the warmth of Lori’s thigh against hers.

“I should be more specific,” Lori whispered. “I meant I’d share anything with you, and you alone.”

Lori opened her menu and ran her finger along the entrees as if she hadn’t just busted open Gabe’s head.

Shay caught Gabe’s eye. “They’ve got a 24oz porterhouse. Want to go 70/30 on it?”

“Sure,” Gabe said, though food had suddenly become unimportant. She felt Lori’s foot against her shin, and then Lori’s hand on her thigh. Was this really happening? The air in the restaurant thickened, and the heat became stifling. Gabe wanted to rush out of there into the cool summer air—after grabbing Lori, of course.

But she couldn’t, could she? Because Gabe still hadn’t summoned the courage to tell Lori about her past and what had happened with the Nelsons. As they’d gotten closer, the omission had begun to feel more and more like a lie, invading their intimacy like an aggressive cancer, threatening to eat away their relationship. And if she just had the chance to calmly explain the circumstances, maybe Lori wouldn’t equate the situation to her own experience.

Gabe barely noticed that a waiter had arrived and was halfway around the table taking orders, and their glasses were already full of champagne. After he’d gotten their preferences, Hank stood on the other side of Lori and tapped his knife on the champagne bottle in a bucket beside him. Lori withdrew her hand and gave all her attention to her dad, allowing Gabe to breathe easy again.

“I want to propose a toast,” he said and looked at Lori. “First, I want to say thank you to the God Almighty for blessing us with a beautiful, talented, and driven daughter. A daughter who has shown us time and time again that she has an infinite pool of kindness from which she waters all the animals and people in her life and watches them grow in her care. A daughter who has suffered emotional torment at the hands of another human being and yet hasn’t let it diminish her capacity to love and care for everyone around her. Lori, you made us proud from the moment you entered this world, and that pride has grown with every single thing you’ve done, every achievement you’ve made, and every animal you’ve saved.” He took Karen and Lori’s hands and smiled brightly at each of them. “When we started our first care program with hack towers for bald eagles, we imagined building an NPO to help animals worldwide, and you’ve helped us make that dream come true. Thank you for giving us more joy than we ever imagined possible. You’re the most amazing human being we’ve ever known.”

Hank picked up his glass and toasted Lori, and everyone did the same. Gabe concentrated on the elaborate lighting rig snaking across the ceiling and blinked her eyes repeatedly. His speech had been incredible; the only other time Gabe had been overcome with emotion like this had been at her Army graduation ceremony. When she refocused on the people at the table, she could see his words had had the same effect on every one of them, including her team, and the soft lights of the restaurant were reflected in the tears pooling in their eyes. She was glad no one would be asking her to say anything because she couldn’t follow that, and she was sure she wouldn’t be able croak anything past the ball of emotion in her throat.

“Thank you, Daddy,” Lori said after the clink of glasses and explosion of applause had died down. “I could never have been any of those things or done a fraction of what I have in this world if I hadn’t had the most wonderful parents a daughter could ever hope for. You’ve supported me in everything I’ve ever wanted to do, even when it was a little crazy—like when we were in Koh Samui, and I wanted us to fly to New Orleans to help rescue people’s abandoned pets after the hurricane?—”

“And did you go?” Gabe asked, astonished.

“We couldn’t stop her,” Karen said, her pride shining from her face like a lighthouse beacon. “We were there for six weeks.”

Gabe shook her head, and her admiration for Lori grew even more. She looked back at Lori’s parents, whose love for her was so clear that it was almost a physical presence on the table. What would it be like to be loved that much? She glanced at Shay, who seemed to have the same kind of wonder in her eyes. They shared a look and a rueful smile. It was impossible not to be envious of the relationship Lori had with her parents.

“Anyway,” Lori said and gave Gabe a light shove, “if I could continue? I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the parents that you are.” She raised her glass. “To Mom and Dad.”

Another round of shouts and applause erupted.

Hank raised his glass again. “And my second toast goes to the five ex-soldiers of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, who have generously given their time and considerable expertise to the restoration of what has turned out to be a very special car indeed. And because of its provenance and connection to the world-renowned and widely celebrated craftsman, Marie Zimmerman, I’ve been told that the Brewster will probably sell for upward of half a million dollars.”

Solo whistled loudly. “No fucking way!”

Gabe frowned, a little stunned by the outburst and the fact that Solo already sounded buzzed. She saw Janie place her hand on Solo’s forearm, but she shrugged her off and emptied her glass before refilling it again. There was definitely more to their story than Tia acting up. She shared another look with Shay, who rolled her eyes as if she’d expected it. Solo had always been the baby of the team, but she’d seemed to mature with Janie.

Lori’s hand on her thigh, dangerously close to her crotch, slammed her attention away from Solo’s issues and back to her own, while, to Hank’s credit, he largely seemed to ignore Solo’s interruption and laughed.

“So thank you to Gabe, Shay, Woody, RB, and Solo for your fantastic hard work. Having looked at Woody’s photographs and seeing what you’ve already done, I can’t wait to see the finished product in a couple of days. And I really can’t wait to see Lori put a huge check in the Sanctuary’s bank account after the auction!”

Hank sat down to another sea of cheering, and though Gabe had been touched by his words, she was on fire from the touch of his daughter. Gabe slipped her hand under the table and placed it over Lori’s. “What’re you doing?” she whispered.

Lori wiggled her eyebrows. “If you have to ask, I can’t be doing it right.”

“Oh, you’re doing it right. Too right for a friend.”

Lori didn’t answer and took a sip of her champagne. Gabe watched the way her mouth held the lip of her glass as the alcohol swirled into her mouth. Damn, Gabe longed to be that glass. But she couldn’t…could she? But, but, but—fuck the buts.

“I don’t just want to be your friend anymore, Gabe.” Lori placed the glass on the table. “I want more than that,” she said as she slipped her hand all the way up onto Gabe’s crotch and squeezed. “So much more.”

Gabe tensed every muscle in her body to stem the insane reaction to the feel of Lori’s hand cupping her sex through the soft cotton of her trousers.

“You’re so hot down there,” Lori whispered.

Hot didn’t even begin to cover it. Gabe was on fire, and she had to fight against the desire to make an excuse that could take her and Lori away from this dinner celebration and straight to bed. She couldn’t think of anything feasible— Hell, she could barely think at all.

Several waiters circled the table to serve their food, and everyone’s attention was on them while Lori behaved like a woman possessed. What had brought this on? And did Gabe even care to ask in case Lori came to her senses and simply stopped?

The waiter placed the porterhouse and two plates of roasted vegetables and baked potatoes with all the trimmings between Gabe and Shay. It smelled amazing, but it had no chance of taking her attention from Lori and her gently probing fingers running up and down her thigh.

Lori removed her hand to begin eating her salmon, and Gabe didn’t know whether to sigh in relief at the respite or shout in frustration at the loss of her touch. Lori cut off some pieces of her fish, speared one with her fork, and popped it into her mouth. Gabe had barely had the time to figure out what she was supposed to be feeling, let alone think about eating the steak Shay was slicing into before Lori’s hand returned to her thigh.

She rubbed her finger along the seam of Gabe’s crotch. “I’ve wanted to touch you like this since the moment you stepped out of your truck the first time you came to the Sanctuary,” she whispered then put another piece of salmon into her mouth as innocently as if they were discussing the weather.

Gabe closed her eyes briefly, remembering that same moment she’d laid eyes on Lori and thought exactly the same thing.

“It was like you’d walked right out of my wet dream.”

Lori’s whispered words triggered a flood of sensations, driving all her attention to the feeling between her legs. How had Lori’s ex been stupid enough to let her go? Gabe shoved away the intrusive and unwelcome thought. Her loss, my gain. Could it really be her gain though?

“Gabe, I don’t feel well.” Lori grasped her wrist. “I’m a little shaky. Would you take me to the restroom?” She turned to Hank after Gabe had nodded weakly. “Dad, I feel a little queasy. Gabe’s taking me to the bathroom, okay?”

“Honey, what’s wrong? It can’t be the food, surely?”

Lori shook her head. “It’s just the time of the month,” she whispered. “I’ll be fine.”

Gabe placed her napkin on the table and stood to help Lori up, who produced an Oscar-worthy performance, almost stumbling into Gabe’s arms. Shay arched her eyebrow and shook her head almost imperceptibly. The look in her eyes told Gabe that she knew exactly what was going on. Gabe chose to avoid her gaze and headed away from the table.

But they didn’t make it to the restroom. Lori dragged Gabe beyond it and pushed her up against the hallway wall with more strength than her stature implied she should have.

“You’re driving me insane, Gabe Jackson.” Lori ran her hands across Gabe’s chest and tugged on her tie. “I have to have you tonight.”

Before Gabe knew what was happening, Lori got onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to Gabe’s. Stars collided, fireworks exploded, and the little control Gabe was clutching onto disappeared like sand between her fingers. She wrapped her hands around Lori’s waist and lifted her from the ground as their kiss deepened, and their surroundings fell away into white noise.

Lori grasped the back of Gabe’s neck and pulled her in harder then broke away. “I have a room booked at a hotel around the block. When the meal is over, will you take me there?”

Gabe claimed Lori’s mouth again. Now that she was in this position, she didn’t want to waste a moment of it. “Can’t we just go now?”

Lori dragged the nail of her index finger across Gabe’s lip. “We’re the guests of honor; we can’t really disappear on everyone, can we?”

Gabe groaned, the rush of desire overtaking all her logic and sense. “Can’t we?”

Lori sucked Gabe’s lower lip between her teeth and nibbled on it. “No.”

The noise of the restaurant crept back into her consciousness, and she tried to get a grasp on her sensible self. “Are you sure this is what you want?” Gabe asked. “What happened to just being friends?”

Lori ran her hand along the back of Gabe’s neck and gave a low growl. “We’ve both known that was never going to last. I just needed a little time to put the past firmly in the past.”

Lori’s choice of words dragged her back to earth with a painful thud. Maybe now Gabe could do the same. “I have to tell you something.”

“No.” Lori pressed her finger over Gabe’s lips. “Not tonight. All I want to think about right now are the things we’re going to do to each other all night long.”

Gabe swallowed hard and didn’t resist another insistent kiss.

“You do want this too, don’t you?” Lori asked.

For a fleeting second, Lori’s dominant display dissipated, and Gabe saw a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. Gabe lowered Lori to her feet slowly and cupped her cheek. “More than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”

The fear disappeared as quickly as it had intruded, and Lori ran her hands down Gabe’s chest and to her belt. “Good. And in the breaks between the mind-blowing sex we’re about to have, I want to know the story behind every tattoo you have, including Alectho.”

Gabe frowned. “Alectho?”

Lori shook her head. “Never mind. I had a dream where you had a winged fury on your abdomen.”

Gabe grinned and trailed her finger down the plunging neckline of Lori’s dress. “You’ve been having dirty dreams about me?”

“Incessantly.” Lori rolled her eyes and hooked her fingers in Gabe’s belt. “Day and night.”

“I like that. I like that a lot.”

“Mm,” Lori said. “They’ve given me plenty of ideas, that’s for sure.”

“I can hardly wait.” Gabe leaned down for another kiss, each one tasting better than the last, fueling her desire like oxygen to fire.

Lori put her hands against Gabe’s chest and pushed her back against the wall. “You’ll have to. We should get back to the table before my dad sends my mom to see how I’m doing.”

Gabe blew out a petulant breath. How was she supposed to go back to that table and eat anything when she only had an appetite for Lori? And the last thing she wanted to do was prolong the time between now and when they hit the sheets.

Lori straightened Gabe’s tie then smoothed down her dress. “Ready?”

Gabe closed her eyes and tried to cool her raging passion. It was finally happening, and she could see a way beyond the past that had tried to mar her future. Lori was a wonderfully kind human being; Gabe would explain everything about her incident with the sergeant major and his wife, and Lori would understand. And then every night could be like the one they were about to have. She opened her eyes and nodded. “Ready,” she said and followed Lori back to their table.

The conversation seemed to be in full flow, with Solo seemingly holding court, loudly, and Gabe noticed she was slurring her words a little. Janie looked uncomfortable and strangely focused on the plate in front of her instead of listening to her wife.

“Solo was just telling us that you’re the first woman to receive a Purple Heart and a Medal of Honor,” Hank said as she and Lori took their seats.

Gabe glanced at Solo and shrugged as she sat down. “Captain Parker Snow received a Medal of Honor in 2020 for pulling several of her colleagues out of a helicopter that had been shot down over enemy territory. So I was the first for that medal, but now I’m not the only one. Solo’s right that I’m the only woman with both though.”

“It seems surprising that you didn’t go further up the ranks after receiving those honors,” Hank said.

“Gabe could’ve become the US Army’s first female five-star general. Our very own superhero who could do no wrong,” Solo said, loud enough for the whole section of the restaurant to hear. She laughed and waved her steak knife in Gabe’s direction. “But then she screwed the sergeant major’s wife, which got her blackballed.”

Gabe made a slashing motion across her neck as ice-cold panic swept up her spine.

“That’s enough, Solo,” Shay said.

But it was too late. Gabe should’ve told Solo and the rest of them about Lori’s ex-wife cheating on her, should’ve told them never to say anything. But that would’ve dragged them all into this and made Gabe even more deceitful.

“What?” Solo raised her glass, looking confused at the tense looks being shot her way. “He was a prick, and he deserved it.”

Shay grasped Solo’s arm and slammed it on the table. “Shut your mouth, Solo, or I’ll shut it for you.”

Gabe braved a sideways glance at Lori. She looked stunned, and tears edged her eyes. Gabe reached out, but Lori swatted her hand away.

“Don’t.”

Her ice-cold tone was like a punch to Gabe’s heart, like Lori had frozen her emotions and shut down everything they’d just shared in the hallway, and every conversation and intimate moment they’d had disappeared in the tornado of Solo’s declaration.

Lori tossed her napkin on the table and pushed out her chair. “Mom…would you?—”

“Honey, what’s going on?” Hank asked.

“I have to leave, Daddy,” she said, her voice trembling just a little.

Gabe sagged in her chair, like gravity was pulling down extra hard and iron chains had wrapped around her to hold her in place. Say something.

Hank frowned. “Solo has just had one drink too many, honey. She didn’t mean anything by it, I’m sure.”

Lori shook her head. “It’s not her, Daddy.” She squeezed his shoulder and stood. “I’ll explain later, but right now, I have to get out of here.”

Hank moved to get up. “I’ll get the bill. Wait for me?”

Gabe became aware of Rosie’s presence between her and Lori.

“Let’s go, Lori,” Rosie said and glared daggers at Gabe. “I knew you were too good to be true. You nearly had us all fooled. Great acting: you missed your vocation.”

“Lori, please. Hear me out,” Gabe finally managed to say, but Lori didn’t look back. The four of them headed out of the restaurant, leaving the celebrations behind. Gabe fought against the imaginary shackles and began to stand, but Shay put her hand on her forearm.

“Let her go,” Shay said. “Let her go for now. She’ll calm down, and you can explain everything.”

Gabe sank back into her chair and turned to Shay. “What if you’re wrong?” Tears misted over her eyes, and she looked away from the glances of the rest of her team, the question of what the hell had just happened clear in their expressions. She couldn’t make eye contact with Solo right now either because she might just knock her out.

Shay stood and pulled her up then guided her over to the bar. Gabe didn’t resist. All her strength and resolve had withered away when she’d seen the look of complete disappointment and hurt in Lori’s expression.

“Stay here,” Shay said. “I’ll make our excuses, and we’ll go find a bar.”

Gabe nodded. “I’ve fucked everything up, Shay.”

“She just needs some time, Gabe. You’re not the person you were when all that happened. She’ll understand that, and she’ll forgive you.”

“I hope you’re right.” Gabe wiped an escaping tear with the back of her hand. She had to get Lori’s forgiveness. All the time they’d spent together, all the intimate non-sexual moments they’d shared, all the laughs they’d had… Gabe didn’t want to lose that. She couldn’t lose that. She liked the person that she’d so naturally become around Lori. She liked how Lori made her feel. She…loved her. The emotion she’d never thought she was capable of flooded through her. When she was around Lori, it had filled her with a warmth she couldn’t explain, but the loss of her now chilled Gabe to the core. She’d spent so much of her life essentially alone. Maybe that was what she deserved.