Gabriel sat digesting his friend’s words. Everything Glenn said expressed how Gabriel felt. Now he needed to determine only one thing—was she worth risking his heart? Every moment of his time with Serenity played in his head like a movie reel, and the answer came back a resounding yes. He leaped up from the sofa. “I need to call her. I need to tell her I’m staying.”

“So, Doc, when I have a momentary lapse while pursuing my Mrs. Right, can I count on you for some of this good advice?” Darius asked.

They all laughed, breaking the tension.

“Yeah, bro. I got you. Gabe, go call Serenity and let me know if I need to dust off my tux.”

Gabriel snorted. “Thanks, Glenn, but I think you’re getting way ahead of yourself.”

“We’ll see. Later, y’all.”

Gabriel pulled out his phone and prayed she would answer this time.

“We’ll be in the other room,” Brent said, walking toward the connecting door.

Darius clapped Gabriel on the shoulder as he passed. “Good luck.”

Gabriel waited until they’d left the room to call. The phone rang several times, and his heart sank. He prepared to leave a message, then heard her voice.

“Hello.”

“Serenity, baby. Are you okay?” He breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hi, Gabriel. I’m fine. I thought you were with your friends.”

“I am, but we need to talk.” She seemed distant. “Are you sure everything is all right?”

“Yes, and you’re right. We do need to talk. I know what I said last night about us continuing to see each other when you leave, but I don’t think it’s a good idea now. We both knew that it would end, and I think now is a good time.”

“Serenity, I know what we agreed to in the beginning, but you have to know I care about you.” He held back on saying he loved her because he felt the first time he said it should be in person.

“I know,” Serenity said. “But—”

“I don’t want it to end. I want more with you.”

“Gabriel, I don’t think it’s going to work. It’ll be too hard.”

He heard her voice crack, and his heart clenched. “Baby, is this about what happened at the restaurant last night?”

“Yes…no. I mean partly. I just can’t put myself through this again, wondering when the other shoe is going to drop and you get cold feet and ghost me again.”

Ghost her? Then it dawned on him. In his first message, he said he might be going to Atlanta, but he didn’t explain why. He bowed his head and closed his eyes, realizing she’d been hurt by her ex far more than she’d shared and thought Gabriel was doing the same. “Serenity, I know you’re afraid. But I—”