The Edge of Hope

Chapter 5

Gabe wished he could capture Hope’s expression and keep it forever. Her wide eyes, swirling with disbelief and heat, her slightly parted lips and her chest rising and falling at his words.

He tried to stay away, but his legs took him to his car and brought him to her house before he could even respond to her last message.

He had come across the landlord and asked which unit she stayed in. He seemed hesitant at first, but Gabe could only imagine he was weary of his determined demeanour. Eventually, he gave in and there he was, ready to take her up on her dare.

“Gabe, I…” she stuttered. She was in complete disbelief and it fueled Gabe even further. He slowly ushered her inside with his bigger frame and closed the door behind him, but didn’t step any closer to her. He wanted to give her some space to see what she would do.

He didn’t come with any intentions, but he wouldn’t stop her either. It would only go as far as she wanted if she wanted to go anywhere.

Hope cleared her throat and took a step closer to him.

“I should probably head your warnings better next time.”

Gabe let out a dark chuckle. “I’m not complaining. But I can leave if you want me to.”

Hope responded with a shy smile and a shake of her head. She looked at her feet, shuffling them slightly. Gabe found it both adorable and attractive that she could go from fiery and confident to shy and uncertain. She was an enigma and he would happily spend the rest of his life trying to piece together her puzzle.

He internally frowned. The rest of his life? That was not a thought he wanted to have again, but a lot of ‘never again’ promises were being broken with Hope. He shook himself out of his reverie and focused on her face again, softened by the gentle lighting in her room.

Something moving on the couch caught his eye and a fluffy, black cat stretched itself out, made eye contact with him and lay back down.

Hope followed his gaze and smiled.

“That’s Pixie.”

“I didn’t know you had a cat.”

“I don’t. It’s my neighbour’s but I love having her here. Keeps me company.”

Gabe moved to the couch and stroked Pixie, who immediately started purring loudly at the attention.

Hope came to stand next to him, scowling at the animal. “Traitor.”

When he turned to face Hope, he realized just how close they were now. If he moved just two inches forward, he would close the gap between them.

He hadn’t missed her eyes that had flickered down to his lips and back to his. Body Language 101, he knew exactly what it meant.

He gently cupped Hope’s cheek, his thumb lightly caressing her skin.

“It was a bit rude to show up unexpectedly,” she whispered, a teasing lilt to her voice.

“As I said, I can leave if you want me to.”

Hope placed both her hands on his chest and fisted them slightly. “Absolutely not.” She went up on her toes and placed a light kiss on the corner of his mouth, his stubble tickling her skin. She kissed him again, completely on his lips this time, soft and warm.

He stood dead still, his whole body tensing under her fingers. The delicate touch of her lips sent heat soaring through his veins. It wasn’t the kind of passion he had been looking for, but it was the passion he needed.

Gabe held the back of her neck to hold her in place as he snaked an arm around her waist, bringing her even closer to him.

It felt like he had been starved for years and her kiss was the sweet fruit to break the fast. She responded, moving her hands up to brush them through his hair and fisting them again.

Life was being poured back into him and he was absolutely certain now. He was never letting go.

*****

Hope hadn’t been kissed with such fervour before. The heat emanated off Gabe’s body and it felt like she couldn’t get close enough to him. Her hands roamed all over his shoulders, chest and back to his thick hair.

She broke apart their kiss to take a breath. He rested his forehead on hers and she could see he was smiling by the glint in his eyes.

“I just need a second,” she breathed out.

“Take your time,” Gabe answered, lifting his head and looking at Hope with an expression she hadn’t seen before.

It knocked the little breath she had left in her lungs right out. She didn’t know what love was supposed to look like, but something deep inside was telling her that this just might be it. Was he falling in love with her?

She didn’t have a second to think it over when he cupped both cheeks and kissed the tip of her nose.

She let out a small giggle and kissed him on the lips. When she looked at him again, that expression hadn’t disappeared. Something exploded in her chest and drowned out every doubt she had ever had about him and about her feelings.

She finally admitted it to herself. She was falling in love with Gabe Knight. And he might just be falling in love with her, too.

They had spent a good portion of the night relaxing on the couch, Pixie taking turns to cuddle on both their laps and drinking cheap wine Hope had been keeping for a special occasion.

It was the first time she had spoken about her parents. It was scary but she just didn’t mind anymore.

“So, after they passed in the accident, I was sent to live with my grandmother but social services deemed her unfit after her mini-stroke. She passed away about two months later.”

“That must have been awful. How old were you when they put you in a foster home?”

“I was twelve. I actually stayed at an orphanage first, then when I turned thirteen, a family came and swept me away. I thought I’d won the bloody lottery. Teenagers don’t get adopted as quickly as babies.”

Gabe didn’t want to interrupt her, this was an important step for them and it was made very clear tonight that this was no longer a mentoring relationship.

“When did you start working at the diner?”

“Eighteen, so about ten years ago, already. Sal took me in immediately. The family I stayed with were ok but distant. On my eighteenth birthday, they kicked me out. Sal’s also the reason I went to university. His brother is on the board of admissions and managed to secure a scholarship for me.”

Gabe reached out to Hope’s face, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “And look at you now, almost ready for the first submission of your master’s.”

Her chest warmed at the pride in his gaze. She leaned into his hand and kissed it lightly.

“Are you thinking of doing your PhD?”

Hope hadn’t thought that far ahead. Considering she could barely get her master’s going, she hadn’t put any faith in herself.

“I don’t know. I think I just want to get this out of the way and then I’ll think about it.”

“Well, if you do decide to go with it, you know who to turn to for help.” He placed a kiss on her forehead and checked his watch.

“I should probably go, it’s late.” He stood up and helped Hope up as well. He enveloped her in his arms, placing a kiss on the top of her head. She had no idea he could be so affectionate, but she wasn’t about to complain.

Just as he was about to leave, Hope suddenly remembered something.

“Gabe, when’s your birthday?”

“August tenth. Yours?”

Hope chuckled. “August fifteenth. What age are we celebrating?”

Gabe squinted his eyes at her. “Why?”

“You have to be close to your forties if not in them already. I just need to know if I should start getting your pension ready.”

Gabe growled and came dangerously close to her, backing her against a wall.

“I’m only turning forty. I’m sure my pension can wait.”

She took her final opportunity to kiss him before he left, and eventually, after five minutes, he did.

She slid down the door onto the floor and silently squealed. She hadn’t felt this overjoyed since the day she got her acceptance letter from the university.

Things seemed to be going so well. She messaged Carol about the evening, which she seemed just as excited about. Things were coming right.

The constant dark and empty feeling she had was lifting and was being replaced with a shining sense of hope.

Finally, she thought. There was finally hope for her.

*****

Hope clicked the ‘Send’ button and raised her arms in the air. A weight she had been bearing on her shoulders disappeared and she looked back at Carol, who looked just as happy as she was.

“Done! I made it.” Hope jumped up and gave her best friend a big hug.

“I knew you could do it. I’m surprised with that hot doctor around you, that you got anything done.”

“Hey, we were working hard and I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Carol opened a bottle of wine and poured two glasses, handing one to Hope.

“He had a small role to play. The paper is all you.” She raised her glass. “Here’s to your first submission. I know it seems over the top for a draft but you have no idea how happy I am for you, Hope. I know you were worried, but you had it in you all the time, with or without Gabe’s help.” They both took a sip of wine and sat down.

“Thanks, Carol. I really appreciate it.” Hope reached down to the platter of food Carol had put together and popped a cheeseball into her mouth.

They sat in silence for a few minutes when Carol noticed Hope was deep in thought.

“What’s on your mind?”

Hope didn’t even look up at her when she responded. “I’m in love with him.”

“Who?”

She looked at Carol with a blank expression. “Santa Claus. Who do you think?”

Carol lifted a hand up in defence. “Ok, down girl. But seriously, who?”

Hope just tilted her head and raised an eyebrow.

Realisation dawned on Carol’s face and she smirked. “Poor Santa. You’re definitely on his naughty list this year.”

Hope laughed and shook her head. “There’s no point in me denying it. It’s only been just over two months that I’ve known him but that’s been enough time to convince me.”

Carol smiled warmly and rubbed a hand up and down Hope’s arm. “The length of time with a person doesn’t determine how you should feel about them. If you love him, you love him. And seeing you so happy again, smiling and laughing,” Carol paused and took a shaky breath. “I’m sorry, it’s just, I know how hard it is for you to open up to people.”

Hope felt tears threatening and she playfully slapped Carol’s arm. “Don’t make me cry.”

They shared a laugh and celebrated into the evening.

Around eight p.m. Hope saw she had a message from Gabe.

‘Your submission done?’

‘Yes! I still can’t believe it. Carol threw a little celebration for us.’

‘I may have to do the same. How about dinner? I make a mean takeaway pizza.’

‘I’ll take your word for it. When and where?’

‘My place, Friday at 7.’

‘It’s a date.’

Hope contemplated the invitation to his place. She knew there might be a possibility of things going further. She hadn’t slept with him and he hadn’t pushed her. There were times she thought she would take that leap, but it just didn’t feel right. Every time, though, got more intense and less satisfying. She needed more.

She checked Carol and saw her dozing off, probably from the two bottles of wine they shared. She didn’t want to bother her for advice. So she decided to go take a shower and climb into Carol’s spare bedroom bed.

Hope knew she was ready. She’s never just given it out. She was in it for the long run and the marathon was about to start.

Lying in bed in a half daze, she couldn’t help but imagine what kind of lover he would be. Only one way to find out. She giggled at that thought and sighed in contentment. Friday was in a week. That would give her plenty of time to prepare herself. She was going to make it an unforgettable night.