“Are you okay? I called your name three times, and I asked if you guys had any special plans for tomorrow.”

“I’m good,” he said. “Yeah, we’re going to San Francisco.”

“Ooh, are you going to Pier 39?”

“I figure we will.”

“If I give you some money, can you bring me back some chocolate? The store there is the only place I can find good white chocolate that doesn’t taste like vanilla plastic. I try to get down there every few months, but I haven’t had the chance and I’m running low.”

He chuckled. “Text me the name of the store and what you want and I’ll get it.” He’d bring her back anything she asked for.

“What time are you leaving? I can either drop the money off tonight or in the morning, whichever is easiest for you.”

Gabriel wanted to tell her neither time would be easier because the moment she walked into his line of sight, he would want an instant replay. “Don’t worry about the money. As long as you let me sample whatever you plan to make, we’ll call it even.” She didn’t respond for so long, he thought they’d gotten disconnected. “Serenity, you still there?”

“I’m here. Just not sure what to say. Why are you doing all these things? I mean we’re not even…” She trailed off.

Good question. He had never gone out of his way like this for a woman he wasn’t dating, but for some reason he enjoyed seeing her smile. “We said we were friends, and I’m just honoring the spirit of that friendship.”

“You’re doing more than that, and I appreciate it.”

They seemed to be talking about everything except the kiss. He wanted to bring it up, find out how she felt about it, but decided it should be something done face-to-face, so he’d table it for now. “I’ll let you get back to your me time, and don’t forget to send me the information.”

“I won’t. You guys be careful, and have a good time.”

“We will. Good night.”

“Sweet dreams.”

Smiling, Gabriel went inside.

The next morning, Gabriel, Brent, and Darius strolled around Crystalwood Lake. It was located about fifteen miles outside of town in an undeveloped area, and though they saw a handful of boats in the lake, they didn’t see one other person. At a far end, they spotted a partially hidden archway and went to explore.

“Talk about being out in the boonies,” Darius cracked. A minute later, they passed through another archway. A small, almost invisible sign read BROOKSHAW COVE. “I take it back. Wow.”

Gabriel just stared. They had entered a small inlet with crystal-clear blue-green water and a path of golden sand. A smile curved his lips. He’d just found the perfect date spot.

*  *  *