Page 85 of Chasing the Dream

“Why?”

“Because he cares about you. He always has.”

Morgan rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to say, “Yeah, like a sister.”

“Remember how he stood up for you against his football teammate?”

Morgan nodded.

“Well, it’s basically the same thing. He probably wouldn’t have said anything if he didn’t perceive Bryan as a threat.”

But is he jealous too? Part of her wanted him to be, although she couldn’t tell Maria that.

“Oh, and I asked him about going out to dinner with you and Matt.”

“And?”

“He said he’ll think about it.”

“Sounds like he’s being stubborn.”

“You think?”

“What if I talk to him?”

“No!” Morgan shouted.

“Why not?”

“I don’t need you to fight my battles.”

“I didn’t realize you two were at war. In fact, when I left you in Flagstaff, I thought you were getting along great.”

Maria was eyeballing her a little too closely for comfort. She popped the last piece of chocolate in her mouth and chewed while searching for the best response.

“What changed between then and now?” Maria asked, looking like a hound hot on a rabbit’s trail.

Sex. That’s what changed. Morgan had thought it had been a good thing, a wonderfully awesome thing, but now she wasn’t so sure. For two people who’d sworn they wanted to avoid complications, they’d certainly made a mess of things.

“I don’t know,” she lied.

“Well, whatever it is, I hope you fix it because I hate to see my best friend and my brother at each other’s throats.”

We had a go at a lot of other body parts too, Morgan thought while she took a long slug of beer.

“I just want you both to be happy,” Maria said. “Whatever it takes to make that happen, I’m all for it.”

Morgan hadn’t given it much thought at the time, but later, when she was lying in bed, she recalled Maria’s words. Did she suspect something? Had she been trying to give them her blessing?

No. That can’t be. She remembered how adamant Maria had been when they were teenagers that none of her friends get involved with Gabe. A lot had changed since then, and maybe Maria had loosened her stance.

Regardless, Maria’s warning no longer applied. It was too late. Morgan was majorly involved with Gabe, and in her mind, at least, there was no turning back.

If only she knew what was in his.

Chapter 24

Gabe was eating lunch at his desk when Maria called. She rarely called him at work, so he figured it had to be important.