Gabriel’s low rumble vibrated through her. “It’s getting late.” He stood with her in his arms and carried her to the front door. Setting her on her feet, he placed a lingering kiss on her lips. “I don’t want Adele accusing us of having another sleepover.” He opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.

Serenity rolled her eyes. She was a grown woman and could do what she wanted. But having people gossip about her was a reminder of the hospital drama that had plagued her in the months following her breakup, and it still made her uncomfortable. Serenity wasn’t eager for a repeat. However, she did appreciate him wanting to protect her reputation. She scanned the woman’s house. “The lights are on in her front room. I’d be willing to bet she’s sitting right there at the big picture window spying on everybody on the block.”

“Then I probably shouldn’t kiss you again.”

“Yeah, probably not.” For more reasons than one. She didn’t think she could handle any more of his kisses. “I’ll see you later.”

“Good night.”

Serenity watched Gabriel lope down the steps and stroll across the grass. As he mounted the steps to his house, he turned back and discreetly pointed to Adele’s house. Serenity shifted her gaze to where he’d indicated and, sure enough, she saw the woman’s curtains slightly pulled back. Gabriel lifted his hand and waved to Adele. The curtain dropped. Laughter poured out of Serenity. She closed her door, ran back to the kitchen where she’d left her phone, and sent Gabriel a text: I bet she won’t tell anyone about that! 

A moment later, he replied: Lol! I couldn’t resist.

She flipped the lights off on the deck and in the kitchen and headed for the shower, her smile still in place.

Serenity had just gotten dressed when her phone rang. Speaking of Chandra. “Your ears must’ve been burning. I was just talking about you,” she said when she answered.

Chandra snorted. “I hope it was all the good stuff. And why were you talking about me?”

“Of course it was the good stuff, girl. I keep all the bad stuff to myself so I can use it as blackmail.”

“You just ain’t right.” They both laughed. “So, you never answered the question.”

Serenity had hoped Chandra wouldn’t notice, but she should’ve known better. Nothing got past the psychologist. “I was just telling my neighbor I’m coming to meet you next weekend.”

“Oh. How is Andrea?”

“She’s good. She was promoted to regional manager and relocated to Seattle almost a month ago. She got her older brother to move here to watch over their grandmother.”

“How much older?”

Here we go. “He’s a few years older than her…thirties.”