Page 8 of Chasing the Dream

Later that night, when she was in bed, she replayed the scenario a dozen times, adapting the ending so that Gabe admitted he had a crush on her too and had been jealous of Todd. It was a stupid teenaged fantasy that had never come true, but it still gave her a thrill.

“Women can be so petty,” he said now. “Sorry. No offense.”

“None taken.”

“I can’t imagine two guys complaining over where they sit.”

“I agree. It’s no big deal, though. I wasn’t even sure I should tell you.”

“I’m glad you did. I’ll be on the lookout for anything else like that, and if I hear something…”

She put a hand on his arm without thinking and then quickly withdrew it. “Don’t worry about me. This is typical office nonsense, although it’s the first time I’ve had an ‘in’ with the boss. Just kidding.” She’d been hoping to lighten the mood, but he still looked tense.

“If my working for you is going to cause a problem…”

“It’s not,” he stated firmly. “I’ll plan on picking you up tomorrow morning at seven, unless you’d rather not drive with me.”

“Seven is fine. Thank you.”

He pulled into the parking lot of a Mexican restaurant and shut off the engine. Instead of getting out, he turned to her. “You don’t have to keep thanking me, Morgan. You’re like family, and I’m glad you’re here. Besides, I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

“Really?”

He smiled and relaxed his shoulders. “Yes. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with Dana’s accounts while she’s on leave. The rest of the staff is already maxed out, and I’d rather hire you than a stranger. So, see? You’re the one helping me out.”

“Well, when you put it that way…”

Just then, Maria pulled into the parking space next to them and honked her horn. Morgan tore her eyes away from Gabe’s and prepared to greet his sister, but first, she had to don her mask—the mask she wore whenever she was with Gabe and Maria at the same time. She hadn’t worn it in nine years, but it was easy to summon up.

She stepped out of Gabe’s car and into the waiting arms of her best friend, who hugged her like she hadn’t just seen her that morning.

“What was that for?” she asked while Gabe looked on.

“I’m just so happy you’re here.”

“Why wouldn’t I be? You know how much I like Mexican food,” Morgan teased.

“I meant here with me in Scottsdale.” Then Maria glanced at Gabe and added, “With us.”

“I’m happy to be here too—with both of you.”

Chapter 4

Gabe spent a few extra minutes on his grooming the next morning, giving himself an especially close shave and an extra spritz of cologne. Then he worried it was overpowering and washed some off while shaking his head at his reflection in the mirror. Would he have gone through the same process if he’d been driving a different employee to work that morning? No. He’d done all this for Morgan’s benefit, and he felt like a complete and utter fool.

He’d spent two hours with her and Maria at dinner last night, talking about the past and some about the present. He’d hung on her every word, feeling like they’d just met even though they’d known each other for years.

It had been fascinating to hear her version of some of their teenage tales. Some of the stories were familiar to him, and some he’d forgotten. Taking a stroll down memory lane had left him with a strange mix of emotions, and when he’d gone home, he’d kept thinking about the boy he’d been then versus the man he was now.

He’d been popular in school, excelling in sports and academics, but to hear Maria and Morgan talk, he’d also been cocky and self-absorbed. He tried telling himself the description could apply to most teenagers, but it hadn’t made him feel any better. Mostly, he wondered if Morgan still thought of him that way. True, he hadn’t given her the time of day back then, but there had been good reasons for it. Aside from the “no dating each other’s friends” pact he’d struck with his sister, Morgan hadn’t given him any indication she’d wanted his attention, although he’d caught her staring at him a few times.

He remembered one time when Morgan had come over to see Maria but she hadn’t been home. She and his parents had gone out to do some errands, and he’d invited Morgan inside to wait.

He’d just finished playing basketball with his buddies, and he’d been shirtless and about to take a shower when she’d shown up. He swore her gaze had drifted over his bare chest, and even lower, before her cheeks turned pink and she looked away. He’d been flattered yet dismissive about it since he’d mostly thought of her as his sister’s skinny friend.

“Maria should be back soon. Do you want to come in and wait?”

She shrugged and said, “Sure, I guess.”