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

“I love you.”

He squeezed my hand in response and I smiled as tears filled my eyes. I rested my head on his shoulder and we continued to watch together in silence. Not only did my presence seem to calm Caleb but being with him brought peace to my life as well.

After being away for a few weeks, I was ready to be home when my plane landed on Sunday evening. I was ready to see Gabe. It was too bad he was working.

Walking down the long hall to baggage claim, I looked up to find Gabe leaning against the wall. I did a double-take, not expecting him.

My heart rate picked up and I was unable to take my eyes from his as I walked up to him. “What are you doing here?”

Instead of answering he pulled me into him and buried his face in my hair. “I wanted to see you.”

I reveled in his scent, his strong arms around me, as I wrapped mine around his muscular back and squeezed him tight. “I missed you.” I said it so quietly, I thought he hadn’t heard me, but then he pulled back, cupping my face in his hands and said, “Yeah?”

I nodded, drinking in his familiar face, his gray eyes, and the feel of his fingers. He leaned down, his mouth hovering over mine, “I love you.”

“I love you too.” No matter what happened between us my feelings hadn’t changed. I closed the distance between us, touching my lips to his. My arms went around his neck, his body flush against mine. His lips were soft and sweet. It was like coming home.

When he finally pulled away, I couldn’t stop the smile that spread over my face. “We’d better get my luggage before it’s removed from the belt.”

“Oh, shit. Yeah.” He tugged my hand and I followed him to the carousel where my suitcase was one of the few still going around in a circle.

“The red one is mine.”

He grabbed it, placing it on the ground to wheel behind him, and took my hand in his.

“You came.” It was an awesome surprise. I hadn’t even realized how much I’d missed him until I saw his face. We walked out into the muggy heat which I hadn’t missed and realized I was done being upset with what happened, but at the same time, I didn’t know what that meant for us going forward. Could I go back to how things were with him? Would he do something like this again?

“I wanted to surprise you. I’m so happy you’re finally home.” He smiled and the best part was I knew he’d never said words like that to anyone else.

I was the only person he’d ever truly loved—among family, friends, and lovers. It made everything so much sweeter.

“Me too. I enjoyed showing you my hometown and introducing you to my family. I’ve never introduced Caleb to a boyfriend before.”

His eyes shot to mine and I knew he hadn’t expected that.

“Caleb is uncomfortable around new people. There’s no need to introduce him to someone unnecessarily.” Someone who wasn’t an important part of my life. Even though we’d had some issues it didn’t mean Gabe wasn’t an integral part of my life, because he was.

Gabe was quiet for a few seconds. We came to a stop in front of his car. “I loved meeting your family. Anyone who’s important to you is important to me.” He paused and I knew he wanted to say something else but wasn’t sure how. “The fact that you’ve never introduced Caleb to anyone else is—I don’t know how to describe it.”

“You’re special, Gabe. I wouldn’t put Caleb through that otherwise. You’re special to me.”

“I’m so sorry, Taylor, for everything.”

I placed my hand on his chest. “No more apologizing.” I wasn’t sure where to go from here, but I knew I didn’t want him apologizing constantly. I’d forgiven him. Everyone made mistakes. It’s whether you learned from them and moved forward a better person that mattered.

He nodded and opened the passenger side door for me. Once I was settled and my seat belt buckled, he loaded my suitcase into the trunk, and slid into the driver’s seat.

“This is the first time you’ve ever driven me anywhere. I didn’t even know you had a car.”

“I just bought it, actually.”

“You did?” As long as I’d known him, he’d been stagnant in a way. Living in the same small apartment and working the same job.

“It’s all because of you.” He backed out of the parking spot and maneuvered through the parking garage.

“No, Gabe. It’s all you. I may have made you realize that you could have more in your life but any steps you’ve taken are yours. Own that.”

He glanced over at me. “I’ve never met anyone who supported me, made me a better person.”

“As long as you remember you’re the one who makes yourself a better person. Not me.” He was so open in a way he’d never been before and he was saying all of the right things. But was it enough to erase what it took for us to get here? He’d never been in a relationship before. There were bound to be some issues and setbacks like Isaac said. The important thing was that we’d be there for each other through the hard times, making the good times that much better.

As he pulled out into traffic, I admired the city I’d grown to love as we headed to my apartment. “You know, moving here was the best decision I ever made.”

“I’m so happy to hear you say that. I have something to show you. I was going to wait but—there’s no time like the present.”

“No, there isn’t.” I leaned back, resting my head on the chair so I could study his face. His gray eyes I used to think were cold were now expressive, the sharp jawline, his soft lips. I loved this man and being with him was the only place I wanted to be.

I thought