Page 98 of Chasing the Dream

“Oh, right. Me too. I’ll meet you back at the table.”

On his way out of the restroom, he passed Matt in the hallway. They smiled and nodded at each other, and Gabe went back to the table to face Maria alone.

“What took you so long?” she asked.

“I had stuff to do in there.”

“Whatever. Listen. Do you mind if Matt and I leave once he comes back?”

His eyes went wide, and he tried to hide his excitement. “So soon?”

“Sorry, but I really want to be alone with him—if you know what I mean.”

I know exactly what you mean. “Stop right there. I don’t want to think about my sister like that.”

She giggled, reminding him of their youth, when laughter came easy and often.

“You really like this guy, don’t you?”

She nodded. “What do you think of him?”

“Seems like a decent guy.”

“Do me a favor.”

“What now?”

“Keep Morgan company for a while longer. I kind of wanted to bring Matt back to my place.”

He couldn’t believe his luck! This evening couldn’t have gone any better if he’d planned it himself.

“Okay. Send me a text when it’s safe to bring her back home. And don’t make it too late. Tomorrow’s a workday.” He’d added that last part just to throw her off the scent, though he suspected the only scent she cared about was Matt’s.

“Yes, Dad!” she teased.

Matt and Morgan returned to the table at the same time, but Matt didn’t sit down. He and Maria had obviously plotted their escape in advance.

“It was very nice meeting you both,” Matt said.

Morgan looked at Maria with surprise. “You’re leaving?”

“Yeah, but there’s no reason you and Gabe have to. Stay and have another drink.”

“We will,” Gabe replied before Morgan had a chance to speak. Then he shook Matt’s hand. “We’ll have to get together again sometime.”

“Definitely,” Matt said.

Maria kissed Gabe and Morgan on the cheek and whispered something to Morgan that he couldn’t hear. Then she and Matt left the restaurant, and Gabe and Morgan were alone.

“How did it end up that they left before us?” Morgan asked, looking confused.

“They wanted to be alone too.”

“Ah.”

“They’re going back to Maria’s place, and she asked me to keep you company for a while. Is that okay with you?” He couldn’t keep the smile out of his voice or off his face, and the smile she returned was just as big.

“I suppose,” she teased.