“She’s forgetful.” He shrugged. “So I keep seven of everything.”
“Again, why seven?”
“It’s the number of completion.” He rolled his eyes. “Duh.”
“Is there a reason you’re here and not home? With Saylor?”
He looked guilty down at the couch. “I, uh, cable was out?”
“Try again.”
He looked behind me and pointed. “The, um, fridge light needed to be changed.”
I grinned. “It’s fine.”
“And—” He shot up from the couch and ran to the door, opened and closed it. “You need grease in the, er…” He scratched his head. “…hinges.”
“Wow!” I clapped twice. “You know what a hinge is.”
He flipped me off.
I stuck my tongue out.
In two steps I was in his arms, my cheek resting against his muscled chest. Two tattooed biceps squeezed tight around me as he rested his chin on my head. It was comforting just being in his arms.
I’d missed him.
I hadn’t been without him for years. It had always been us against the world. Then he’d gone and gotten married, and I’d felt truly lonely for the first time since leaving LA.
“I’m worried about you,” Gabe whispered, pulling back and cupping my face with his hands. “You need… a… bodyguard or something.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head. “No, I’m fine.”
“You’re too pretty.”
“I’m fine!” I laughed again and stepped out of his embrace. I didn’t want him to know how freaked out I’d been the last week. The hate mail — aka fan mail — had gotten worse. I kept changing my PO box, and people kept discovering it. I mean, it was the usual stuff, the you’re so pretty and I watch you stuff, which I could deal with — mostly. But a few of the letters had had pictures of Taylor.
And that didn’t set well with me.
If Gabe even knew, he’d flip his lid.
“I’m not above embedding a GPS unit in every article of clothing you own, including your favorite Donald Pliner sandals.” He crossed his muscled arms and leaned against the back of the couch.
Sighing, I held up my hand walked over to the table and dug through my purse, pulling out my Taser and my Mace. “Happy?”
“Bad ass.” He nodded in approval. “Your Taser’s pink.”
“I’m a girl.” I shrugged my shoulders. “It seemed… happier.”
He snorted, rolling his eyes. “So the person you Taser laughs instead of pisses his pants? Killer. Good thinking.”
“Gabe.” I shoved everything back into my purse and chewed my lower lip. “I swear, I’m totally and completely fine. Just stressed about starting sophomore year and all.”
His blue eyes narrowed. “When did you cut your hair?”
My hands flew to my cropped black hair; I’d just recently cut it to my chin, hoping it made me look different than the most recent pictures of me. I’d added a few streaks of blue to the front too. Holy crap! I was turning into a freak from witness protection.
“Needed a change,” I lied. “What’s with the fifth degree, Gabe? You used to dye your hair all the time.”
“I was hiding.” He threaded a few pieces of hair through his fingers. “It looks good on you.”
“Thanks.” I felt my face heat. “Now, is there anything else I can do for you, Dad, or am I free to take a shower and run to the student center to grab my textbooks?”
“Classes started last week.” Gabe frowned. “Why the hell are you still not getting your textbooks? If you flunk your classes, I’m going to be pissed.” He started pacing in front of me. “I mean, this is your future and—”
I couldn’t fight the smile as I crossed my arms.
“Shit, I do sound like your dad.”
“Pretty soon you’re going to be waiting on my couch with a shotgun when I go out on dates.” It was out before I could stop it.
“WHAT? You’re dating someone!”
“Whoa!” I held up my hands. “Easy! I’m not dating anyone, and do you really think I’d introduce them to you first? They’d probably pass out!”
“Please, I’m not that intimidating.”
My eyes took in his golden-blond hair, fully tatted-up body, and piercing blue eyes. “Right, not at all. What was I thinking?”
“Bitch.” He winked. “And if you do start dating, make sure you tell Wes so we can get a full background check on him.”
I shook my head. “Letting both of you at the guy would cause him to run in the opposite direction, and I’m pretty sure the point is to have him stick around. That is, if I can find one at this godforsaken school.” The lie fell easy from my lips. I hadn’t had any guy stick around; I wasn’t able to stomach it, not anymore.
“Flash ‘em.” Gabe nodded encouragingly. “It’s the only way.”
“Um, weren’t you just threatening to kill a guy for even dating me?”
“Solid point.” He cursed. “I’m stuck between being your friend and your dad. Not working, not working well, Lisa.” His eyes twinkled. “Now, if there’s anything I can fix, or do, or buy, or—”
“Go home to your wife.” I pushed him toward the door. “Tell Saylor hi, and remember we have dinner this Sunday night, alright?”