The worst part was Angi saw it coming and couldn’t get out of the way. She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. It was as if she’d been worn down to such a nub that not even her self-preservation instinct would kick in.

Then a heavy hand landed on her shoulder, and she was pulled close into the warmth and heat of Gabe’s strong chest. “It’s time,” he said, seemingly talking to her but keeping his gaze on Sara. “I know we agreed to keep this on the down-low, sweetheart...” He placed a gentle kiss on Angi’s temple, just where a headache was beginning to pulse. “But it’s Christmastime and I’m sure your friends will be happy for you.”

“They aren’t my friends,” she muttered.

He chuckled at that, low and slow, the vibration of it reverberating through her.

“Wait a minute.” Sara stepped forward. “You two aren’t a couple.”

Duh, Angi wanted to blurt out. Gabe might kiss her like a man possessed, but with their history she knew nothing would come of it. She just couldn’t figure out why he was at her side now, but before she could agree with Sara, Gabe answered.

“It’s new.” He said it like that was the most normal thing in the world to say. “We’re both busy and private. No need to give the gossips around town with nothing better to do something to talk about.”

Sara frowned, as if she wasn’t sure whether he was talking about her as one of the town gossips.

“You two should meet us over at Champions later for drinks and a round of pool,” Brandon suggested. Angi hadn’t been to either of Magnolia’s local bars since she’d needed a fake ID to get in. “It’ll be like a regular seventh-grade summer reunion.”

Seventh-grade summer, when Brandon had pushed Gabe into the dirt or off his bike every chance he got. When Angi had been too embarrassed to go to the pool or the beach because she’d developed breasts and hips and dimples on the backs of her plump thighs. The summer when she and Gabe had watched movies at his grandma’s house during the heat of the day and taken long walks on the beach at sunset, talking about everything and nothing.

Those were the memories she wanted to focus on. The sweet ones, not what came after.

If Gabe thought it was strange to so casually be invited to hang out with his former nemesis, he didn’t show it. Not outwardly, although Angi felt the slightest ripple of tension cascade through him.

“We have plans for later,” Gabe said with another kiss to her head. The words were innocent enough, but the way he said them gave a different message. One that made goose bumps erupt along her skin. “We’re not exactly advertising what’s going on between us,” he told the couple. “Appreciate if you don’t spread the word.”

Brandon and Sara both nodded, although Angi noticed the other woman’s hand dip into the pocket of her leather jacket like she was already reaching for her phone.