Page 108 of Chasing the Dream

“Why should you get to go first?”

“Really? We’re going to argue about this right now?”

“I’d like to have some idea of what you’re going to say.”

“Can’t you just trust me?”

She eyed him closely and decided he was right. He hadn’t steered her wrong so far, and after he’d come to her rescue today, it felt wrong to argue with him. “Fine, but I get to speak too.”

He nodded, and then they exited the car and went inside.

“Home already? How’d it…ohmigod…what happened?” Maria had just come into the foyer, and she stopped short. She glanced from Morgan to Gabe and back again, looking concerned, confused, and angry. “Gabe? What did you do to her? Why is she crying?”

Morgan put a hand on Maria’s arm to calm her down. “Gabe didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I’d never hurt her,” he added vehemently.

“Come sit down and tell me what happened,” Maria said. She took Morgan’s hand and led her to the couch, where all three of them sat.

Morgan spoke before Gabe had a chance. “Bryan came on to me, just like Gabe predicted. He said some repulsive things, but he didn’t touch me.”

“Ahem,” Gabe said, clearing his throat loudly.

“He grabbed my arm after I stormed out, but he didn’t hurt me.”

Maria looked at Gabe. “I thought she went to the meeting alone.”

“She did, but I didn’t feel comfortable about it, so I waited for her at the diner across the street.”

Maria nodded and didn’t look at all surprised.

“When I came out of the tavern, Gabe was there.”

“Did you knock the guy out?” Maria asked, dead serious.

Gabe shook his head. “No, but I wanted to.”

“I held him back,” Morgan said.

“I can’t believe that jerk. What did he think, that you were going to make out with him in the back room or something?”

“That’s exactly what he thought,” Morgan said. She noticed the tick in Gabe’s jaw at the reminder of it.

“Well, you’re obviously going to tear up his contract, right?” Maria looked to Gabe for confirmation.

“Absolutely. I’m not letting that jackass get within ten feet of her.”

“Thank God you’re alright,” Maria said.

“Thank Gabe,” Morgan said emphatically. “I’m so glad he was there. I only wish I’d listened to him before.”

“I’m glad he was there too,” Maria said with a smile.

Wait until she hears the rest of it, thought Morgan as she looked to Gabe.

“There’s more,” he said, shifting sideways to look Maria in the eye.

Uh-oh. Here we go.