Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

did. I felt powerful. Elise asked my size and grabbed a box from the back room.

I slipped them on and admired them.

“Those look awesome.”

“They do.” I felt like a new woman in these. I’d moved to a new city on my own. I had a job working closely with the community. I had a new friend who was fun. I had everything. I didn’t need a boyfriend to complicate things. If Gabe had a good reason for leaving this morning, I’d keep anything between us casual. Resolved to tell him that the next time I saw him, I pulled off the shoes, placing them carefully back into the box. “I’ll take these.”

“Perfect,” Elise said. She placed the closed box on the counter.

Hadley’s attention was already on a blue suede heel she was modeling in front of the full-length mirror.

“I love those. If you don’t get them, I will,” I said.

She placed them back in the box. “Well, that was easy. I can’t have you wearing them.”

We browsed the rest of the store but only bought the shoes we’d initially seen. “I’ll need to come back. I’m still considering a few other shoes,” I said.

“Me too. I’m here every other week at least.” Hadley held her credit card out to Elise.

“That’s good to hear.” Elise smiled.

My mind had wandered but as I focused back in on Elise and Hadley, they were chatting about opening more Hot Heels Boutique stores in the city.

“Taylor works in an up and coming community near Harrison Avenue in Lakeview. There are lots of new businesses opening up and we’re trying to attract more foot traffic from Harrison Avenue.”

Elise tapped her chin. “That sounds promising and I don’t like to be on the main street. I’ll check it out.”

I exchanged a look with Hadley. I hadn’t expected Elise to be interested. A trendy shoe shop that already had a following would be a nice addition for Gabe’s neighborhood. I handed Elise my business card. “Here’s my card in case you have any questions.”

“Nice seeing you again,” Hadley said as we made our way to the door and said our goodbyes.

“Way to think on your feet,” I said once we were outside on the sidewalk.

“How amazing would it be if Hot Heels Boutique came to Gabe’s neighborhood? She already has a strong customer base.”

“It would be great.” It would legitimize the neighborhood if stores of this caliber started moving in.

We walked to the streetcar together and I said goodbye at my stop.

When I turned down my street, I saw a man sitting on my front porch—black T-shirt, worn jeans, black boots. It had to be Gabe. My heart stuttered then started racing as I wiped my suddenly damp hands on my jeans and came to a stop in front of him.

Gabe stood. “Can we talk?” His face was pensive.

“Sure.” As much as I wanted an explanation, if I wanted something casual I shouldn’t ask for one.

After the door to my apartment was closed and locked, I placed my shopping bag on the table inside the door and turned to him.

“Can we sit outside again?”

I raised my brow but led the way through my bedroom where I ignored the rumpled sheets and held the French doors for him.

He waited until I was settled in the chair before he spoke. “I’m sorry I left this morning without saying anything.”

I chewed my lip, unsure how I felt about his apology, which took us definitively out of the casual zone. Is this what I wanted?

“Honestly, last night freaked me out a little. I wasn’t expecting that.” His face was soft and sincere.

“What weren’t you expecting?” I wanted to know where he was coming from—what he wanted.

“To feel so much,” he said quietly, looking straight into my eyes. “I’ve never experienced anything like that.”

I was glad not to be alone in the feelings of more last night. “You could have told me that instead of running away.”

“I know. I realized that. I fucked up. Will you give me another chance?”

“A chance at what? A relationship?”

“I went back to my empty apartment. I thought of what my life was like without you and what it could be like with you. How I wanted to see where it could go.” His head dropped into his hands and he ran his fingers through his hair before finally lifting his head. “I didn’t want to leave you in bed this morning, but I couldn’t escape this feeling that I’m not good for you.”

I sighed. “If we’re going to take this past casual you need to get over that. I don’t want to invest further in a relationship only to have you walk away because you believe I’m too good for you.”

He winced. “I’m trying. I want to try for you. You make me want to be better—do better.”

“You’re doing just fine on your own.” I smiled because he was. I didn’t make him a better person. He just couldn’t see that he was a good person already. “You just need to believe in yourself. You’re the only one who can do that.”

“How did you get so wise at twenty—?”

“Twenty-six. It seems pretty simple to me.”

“See, wise beyond your years.” He stood, offered his hand to me, and pulled me to stand in front of him, both of my hands in his.

Maybe it was experiencing the unconditional love of my brother who couldn’t communicate with words. Maybe it was my love for Caleb that made this easier for me. I had a good upbringing—a family that loved and supported me. Gabe didn’t have that. Was I willing to explore something with him? To allow myself to be vulnerable with someone who wasn’t used to relationships? His leaving last night made me realize that I didn’t want casual, but I hoped he was worth trying for something more.

Chapter Eighteen

GABE

As I held her hands in mine, taking in her hair in a ponytail and her sundress, I realized she’d never been more beautiful. “Thank you for giving me