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

Zach wasn’t in the picture, could I walk away? I could be closer to my family, which is what I wanted eventually, but not yet. Not when I just met Gabe.

Right when I’d fallen in love with this city, with Gabe. Fuck, I’d fallen in love with Gabe. When had that happened?

Feeling the panic rising, I changed the subject. “What we need to do is plan the block party like we promised. Did you still want to go to the neighborhood this afternoon and talk to the business owners?”

“Sure.”

Hadley’s forehead wrinkled at my abrupt change of subject, but I didn’t want to discuss why I wasn’t keen to move away from Gabe. I’d just discovered my feelings for him and I wasn’t ready to talk about them.

“And you are still handling the band?”

“Yup.”

“Okay, contact the band and see if they’re available the first Friday of each month. We could do a different band each month if they’re not available. Let me know how it goes and we can talk about it tonight.”

“Okay.” Hadley walked out but left the job opening list on my desk.

I needed time alone. I needed to think. I’d fallen for Gabe—the bad boy, the bartender with a chip on his shoulder. How did I let that happen? My phone buzzed.

Gabe: You stopping by tonight for dinner?

I had ever since the night Zach came to the bar upset. It had become a comfortable routine—warm and cozy. But was I playing house? Was I taking this thing with Gabe too seriously?

All I knew was that I was content—I was happy, and I wanted more of that.

Taylor: Of course.

I moved the job listing to the side of my desk. It was something to consider and I had a little bit of time to think about it. I needed to focus on the block party and getting Zach past his sixteenth birthday. Then I’d worry about myself.

That afternoon, Hadley and I headed over to Gabe’s neighborhood. I didn’t tell him we were coming. I wanted to surprise him. We talked to all of the shop owners. There were several new shops that had opened since the first time Gabe took me around. Everyone was on board with our ideas. They all agreed to handing out free samples and possibly adding theme nights to First Fridays if people were interested.

“That went well,” I said, feeling like we’d accomplished something.

“You’re trying to increase traffic to their businesses and it cost them next to nothing. Of course, they’re on board. This is probably above and beyond our outreach responsibilities,” Hadley said.

“But it’s so worth it.” It was fun and the whole reason I wanted to work for the DOJ—helping others. I felt fulfilled in a way I never did at my actual job. We’d come to a stop in front of Gabe’s bar.

Hadley took a deep breath, and said, “I know I said I didn’t want to move away from New Orleans, but it might be a good idea for me.”

“Why would you move?” I asked.

She waved my question off. “I just need a change. I might apply for that job in Maryland but only if you’re not interested. It’s something I think I would enjoy.”

“What job?” Gabe asked.

I turned to find Gabe holding open the bar’s door, relaxed and happy to see me. I stepped into him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Hey. Gabe this is my co-worker and friend, Hadley. Hadley—Gabe.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Gabe,” Hadley said.

“There’s a new DOJ job and it sounds amazing, but it’s in Maryland.” I shrugged.

“In Maryland?” he asked.

The muscles in his back tensed under my fingertips.

“I’m thinking of applying but I don’t want to if Taylor’s interested,” Hadley said.

I glared at Hadley over my shoulder, my arms still around Gabe. What was she doing?

“I moved here to get away from my life in Maryland. To explore new things. I’m happy here.” Despite my words, Gabe’s arms dropped from around me, his body was stiff, and his face closed off. I wanted to pull him aside and assure him everything was fine. I wasn’t planning to leave, but I hadn’t made a decision.

“We both dislike our jobs,” Hadley reminded me.

“Just the department we work in.” This was the first time Hadley had really annoyed me. I was regretting bringing her here to meet Gabe.

“What are you doing here?” Gabe asked as he took a step back from me.

“We’re working on the block party.” I smiled to break the tension. “All of the business owners are on board.”

“I’m glad you stopped by.” His words were polite but there were fine lines around his mouth indicating he was annoyed—either with me being here or at the thought of me moving.

I made a move into the bar to follow Gabe, but Hadley placed a hand on my arm to stop me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for him to hear. It’s true. I wouldn’t take that job if you wanted it.”

“Let me think about it, but my initial reaction is that you should go for it. I’ll miss you, but if you feel like you need to leave New Orleans, then do it.”

“Thanks.”

“But if you want to talk about why you feel like you need to leave, I’m here.”

“I will. Thanks,” Hadley smiled, and we stepped inside so I could introduce her to Isaac and update him about the party.

I walked to the end of the bar and tried to catch Gabe’s eye, but he wouldn’t look at me. “Can we talk in your office?”

“Let me finish these drink orders first.”

I waited for him to be done before I followed him down the hall and into the office. Once we were behind closed doors, I said, “I don’t want you to worry. I don’t want to move. Neither of us are happy working child sex abuse cases—it gets to you. But I just took this position and I want more experience before I’d consider transferring to another position. I’m not planning on moving home.”

“I guess I