Page 16 of Chasing the Dream

“Yes. I’ll be fine.”

Just then, Maria’s phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. She glanced down at the display and smiled wide.

“It’s him, isn’t it?” Morgan said.

Maria nodded.

“Go ahead and take it.”

She picked up the phone and walked away, leaving him and Morgan alone.

“See? That wasn’t so bad,” Morgan teased.

“Didn’t you see the daggers she shot me with her eyes? I told you that being her brother doesn’t lend me much clout.”

“That’s because she knows you.”

“What does that mean?”

She shook her head, sending her pretty blonde curls dancing around her shoulders. “Nothing. Never mind.”

“It meant something. Tell me.”

“I was just thinking she knows how you are with the ladies.”

“How’s that?” He was both curious and afraid of her answer.

“Some might call you a player.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Some? Does that include you?”

She shrugged. “I used to think so.”

“Really?”

“Well, weren’t you?”

He sighed. “I like women, but that doesn’t make me a player.”

“You had your fair share of them.”

He thought she almost sounded jealous, but that couldn’t be. She turned away, pulled two bottles of water out of the fridge, and handed him one.

“Just forget I said anything,” she said, unscrewing the cap and taking a long slug.

He watched her swallow, her head tipped back and her neck exposed. He imagined nibbling on it, but not wanting to be thought of as a player, he shook the thought away.

“If you’re afraid to come over tomorrow night…”

She gaped at him. “I’m not afraid of you, Gabe.”

He admired the fire in her eyes and the way she stood up for herself. She’d come a long way from the shy, reserved girl he’d once known.

“Okay, then. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at five.”

She followed him to the door. “Should I wear a skirt?”

He jerked his head around.