The words hung in the air between us like a storm cloud, heavy and suffocating. My chest tightened, my throat dry as I tried to process what Gabriel had just said.
I love you. I want you to be my girlfriend.
I heard them. Loud and clear. But my brain refused to make sense of them.
Gabriel leaned forward slightly, his eyes locked onto mine. "What do you say, Lexi?"
His voice was soft but edged with something raw—hope.
I blinked, my fingers tightening around my coffee mug. "Uh... uh... Gabriel..."
"Yes?" His expression was so open, so vulnerable, it made my stomach twist painfully.
I shifted in my seat, my hands fidgeting with the rim of the cup. I needed to tread carefully. This was Gabriel—my best friend, my rock, the person who had been by my side through everything. But the problem was… I didn't feel the same way.
"You know I like you, right?" I started, choosing my words carefully. "I mean, you're one of my closest friends. Next to Ava, you're the most important person in my life."
His lips curved into a small, almost relieved smile, like he thought I was leading up to something good. "Then say yes, Lexi. Please. Give me a chance."
I exhaled slowly, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I like you… but as a friend. I don't feel the same way about you as you do about me. I'm sorry."
The smile slipped from his face.
For a second, he just stared at me, like he was waiting for me to take it back. Like he thought maybe I was joking. But when I didn't, when the words sat between us, real and irreversible, I saw the pain flicker across his face.
"But you could, Lexi," he said, his voice lower now, more desperate. He leaned forward, closing the distance between us, his fingers gripping the edge of the table. "You could learn to love me. We've been friends for years, and I know you better than anyone. If you just give me a chance, I'll prove it to you. I'll make you happy."
My stomach clenched.
I knew Gabriel. Knew the way he loved—completely, without hesitation. And if I let him believe there was even a fraction of a chance, he'd hold onto it like a lifeline.
I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. "No, Gabriel. I can't. I can't love you like that. It wouldn't be fair to you… or to me."
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "If I didn't know you so well, I'd think you were rejecting me because you already have someone else." His gaze sharpened, searching my face. "But you don't, do you, Lexi?"
I swallowed hard, guilt curling in my chest.
"Why not just try?" he asked, his voice softer this time, almost pleading. "We already have everything, Lex. The friendship, the trust, the understanding. Isn't that what relationships are built on? Why does it have to be someone else, when I'm right here?"
God. This was breaking me.
I forced myself to look at him, my heart aching for the man sitting across from me. Gabriel wasn't just a good friend—he was family. The one person I knew would always have my back. And now I was hurting him.
"It's not about anyone else," I said quietly. "And it's not about trying. I just don't feel that way about you." I paused, choosing my next words carefully. "You're my friend, Gabriel. One of my best friends. I don't want to hurt you, but I also can't lie to you."
His jaw tightened, and for the first time, I saw frustration flash in his eyes. "I know you're still holding on to your late husband, Lexi," he said, his voice firm. "And I understand that. But it's been five years." He exhaled, shaking his head. "You deserve to have someone in your life again. Let me be that man for you. Let me fill that space."
The words hit like a punch to the gut.
I sucked in a sharp breath, anger and sadness tangling together inside me. "Gabriel, this isn't about my husband," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "This is about me. About what I feel. And I don't feel that way about you."
Silence.
Thick, suffocating silence settled over us, pressing down on my chest.
I could see it in his eyes—that tiny flicker of hope, dimming, fading into something else.
I reached for my bag, gripping it tightly as I stood. "I'm sorry," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I need to go."
His fingers twitched on the table like he wanted to reach for me, stop me. "Lexi—"
"I'll see you later, Gabriel," I said quickly, cutting him off. I turned and walked out of the café before he could say anything else, my heart pounding, my throat tight.
And as I stepped into the cool night air, I forced myself to breathe—because if I didn't, I might just break.
As I drive away from the café, the city lights blurred around me, my mind heavy with everything that had just happened. Gabriel's voice still echoed in my head, but with every step I took, it faded—until all that was left was the lingering ache in my chest.
By the time I reached home, exhaustion weighed me down, but sleep wasn't coming.
I lay sprawled on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, my mind a chaotic mess of thoughts. Today had been a lot. Gabriel's confession still echoed in my head—his hopeful eyes, the unsteadiness in his voice, the way his face fell when I told him the truth.
It hurt. Knowing I had broken his heart, knowing I had let him down. Gabriel wasn't just some guy—he was my best friend, my constant. And now, things between us would never be the same.
I sighed, turning on my side, hugging a pillow close to my chest. Did I do the right thing?
Of course, I did. Leading him on would have been cruel. But damn, it didn't make this any easier.
I exhaled slowly, willing myself to stop thinking about it. No more guilt. No more overthinking.
But just as I was about to push the entire conversation to the back of my mind, another memory surfaced. A different voice, a different set of eyes, a completely different feeling.
Dominic.
My breath hitched slightly as the image of his face filled my mind. His intense gaze, the way his hand had cupped my jaw, the heat of his lips against mine.
A shiver ran down my spine, my stomach twisting in a way that had nothing to do with guilt and everything to do with desire.
I let out a quiet laugh, pressing my fingertips against my lips as if I could relive the sensation. "God, his lips were so soft," I murmured, the memory of the kiss making warmth flood through me.
And just like that, Gabriel faded.
It was him. It was Dominic I couldn't stop thinking about.
I rolled onto my back, groaning. "Pull it together, Lexi. You don't even know what you're getting into."
And I didn't. Not really. But did I want to know? Hell yes.
I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, hesitating for just a second before unlocking the screen. My fingers hovered over Dominic's contact.
What could he be doing right now?
As if the universe had read my mind, my phone buzzed.
I sucked in a breath, my heart skipping when his name appeared on the screen.
Dominic: I really can't get that kiss off my mind.
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
I stared at the message for a moment, biting my lip before typing back.
Lexi: What are you doing?
The reply came almost instantly.
Dominic: Thinking about you.
Oh, God.
My stomach flipped, my fingers trembling slightly as I hovered over the keyboard. Flirt back, or play it cool?
Screw it.
Lexi: Do you have time for me?
A few seconds passed before three dots appeared on the screen.
Dominic: Anywhere, anytime.
A slow grin spread across my face. This man.
Lexi: Let's say 20 minutes?
Dominic: Great. And where?
I hesitated, twirling a strand of hair around my finger. He could have suggested a café, a bar, even a late-night drive. But deep down, I already knew where I wanted this to go.
Lexi: You choose the venue.
Another pause. Then—
Dominic: My house seems like the best place right now. Are you okay with that?
A sharp inhale filled my lungs. My pulse quickened.
I stared at the message, the implications sinking in. My body knew the answer before my mind could catch up.
Lexi: That's fine by me. I'll be there in 20 minutes… no, 30.
Dominic: I'll be waiting.
I tossed my phone onto the bed and jumped up, my heart racing with something I hadn't felt in a long time. Excitement. Anticipation.
This is happening.
I dashed to my closet, already picturing what I was going to wear.
To Be Continued...