Olivia felt a bit guilty for letting her thoughts travel there during her sister’s hour of need, but her sister’s declarations had gotten her thinking about Gabe. Again. What would she find out about him if she was lucky enough to get to know him better? She could deal with water rings and skid marks if she had to. But what differences between them would arise if she did really get to know him?

There was no doubt that Gabe loved his dog. He was caring and conscientious and protective, and he was extraordinarily brave. But what if, after a month or so, he turned into a Trevor? If he turned into someone who wouldn’t notice when she walked out of a room for ten minutes or ten hours. Or worse, what if he’d somehow hidden darkness inside him that she’d not glimpsed today?

The way she’d reacted internally this afternoon… She’d never felt like that about anyone. Ever. She’d known Trevor since they were kids, and they’d started dating so early. She couldn’t remember ever feeling the tingly newness of a crush with him. She’d had one or two mild crushes over the years on other people, crushes she’d somehow worked through before they became anything serious enough to threaten her and Trevor’s relationship or even to bring to Trevor’s attention.

But the feelings that had popped up for Gabe had been colossal. Hours later, it was as if her body was still humming with energy. She’d not been prepared to experience anything like this. Which is probably why you climbed onto his lap. In the cab of his truck. In the middle of the day. On a public road.

Stewing in embarrassment wasn’t going to change anything or stop the rumors from circulating back home. Or help her figure out how to deal with Gabe. He’d said he was going to call tomorrow. Would he want to see her? If so, would it be something like asking her out on a date next weekend?

“You can stop rubbing now. Thanks.” Ava twisted around and wrapped her in a tight hug. “You were totally zoning, weren’t you?”

“A little maybe.”

“He’s zone-worthy. I’ll give you that.”

Olivia laughed softly. “I was just thinking how weird it would be to go on a first date with someone I’ve already extensively made out with.”

“That just gets the awkward stuff out of the way.”

“Yeah, maybe, but you know me. I’ll find a way to make it awkward.”

Ava smiled as she curled up underneath the covers again. “You’re the kind of awkward that draws people in, Livy, not sends them away.”

Not entirely sure what to think of that, Olivia slipped out from under the covers and stepped around the creaky floorboards to the dresser where she’d put her purse.