Darius laughed. “I think you should extend your stay. It’s not like we can’t continue to handle things the way we’ve been doing. Brent and I can pop out there for a few days, or you can come home like you did a couple of weeks ago.”

What Darius said made sense, but Gabriel had his schedule all mapped out, and now it had been blown to bits. “I don’t know. Maybe. But for how long?”

“As long as it takes for you to decide what you want to do. You sound a lot like your grandmother,” Darius said. “I mean, I can’t really blame her for not wanting to move, though. I’m not sure I’d want to uproot my entire life at that age. Hell, you don’t even want to do it now.”

Gabriel frowned. “Whose side are you on?”

“No one’s. I’m just sayin’. Look, man, just give it some thought. You said yourself that the town did have a few good points. Ms. Ida’s, Splendid Scoops, and that lake we went to would make me reconsider. Then there’s Serenity. Staying a little longer would give you a chance to see if she’s your Mrs. Right.”

He sighed. On one hand, he wanted more time with Serenity. On the other, more time could potentially be dangerous to his heart. “Hmm” was all he said. “I need to get going.”

“Another hot date?”

“Not exactly. Serenity is having one of her supper club dinners.”

“Man, maybe I need to visit more often. Maybe check out those three or four fine friends.”

“Three. But remember Terri is married. I don’t know if Natasha or Dana is seeing anyone. It hasn’t come up. I could always put in a good word,” Gabriel added with a chuckle. Then it would take the heat off him.

“Nah, I like to make my own introductions. Besides, I don’t know if I want to trust what you might say.”

He laughed. “On that note, I’m out. Talk to you guys on Tuesday.” Gabriel ended the call and went inside. He changed out of his tank top and basketball shorts into a pair of navy linen shorts and a matching shirt. He got the bag holding two bottles of wine he’d purchased earlier out of the refrigerator, locked up, and went next door.

Serenity opened the door and gave him a bright smile. “Hey, Gabriel.” She came up on tiptoe and brushed a kiss over his mouth. “We’re out back.”

The kiss wasn’t nearly long enough for him, and he pulled her flush against him and crushed his mouth against hers. As soon as their lips connected, he was lost. His tongue stroked hers and delved deeper to claim every area of her mouth. Finally, he eased back, gifting her with butterfly kisses along her jaw, then lifted his head. “Hi.”

“Um…we should…probably…”