Page 6 of Bearly Icy

Chapter 5

Gabe

The winter sun's starting to slip from the sky over Glacier Pass, casting the town in a rich, warm glow. I’ve spent the entire afternoon counting down the minutes until my date with Louisa. In the process of pacing my office, I discovered time moves slower than a tranquilized turtle when you’re obsessing over your gorgeous mate.

I pull into the parking lot of Papa Bear’s Italian Eatery and pull up the menu on my phone. I decided to grab dinner from the popular Italian restaurant since my cooking skills are non-existent.

After deciding what I’m going to order, I step inside to find the pungent scent of garlic and marinara wafting through the air. My stomach grumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten a fucking thing today.

“That’s right, asshole. I’m wasting away to nothing,” my inner polar bear hisses in my ear as I place the order for our dinner.

While I’m waiting, a text from Grant pops up on the screen. The persistent asshole just doesn’t get the message.

Baby Brother

Why are you ignoring my calls?

Me

Do I need a reason?

Baby Brother

Asshole.

Me

Takes one to know one.

It’s childish but I don’t fucking care if I hurt his feelings.

Baby Brother

You don’t have to be a jerk.

Me

Whatever. I’ll talk to you later.

I don’t give Grant any hint of my plans, hoping to keep my date with Louisa a secret until it’s over.

“Gabe! Your order’s ready.” The cashier’s voice snaps me back to reality, and I grab the takeout with a determined nod.

The drive back feels interminable like the rest of the day has been.

When I finally pull up to my cabin, I pull into the garage and hop out. I grab the food and slam the truck door shut. As the sound echoes around the silent woods, I march inside, laying out the containers. The smell of rich Italian food fills the air, tempting my starving inner bear.

Fucking hell. I grab a banana and munch on it to shut him up while I set the table.

When my phone buzzes again, I glance down and see it’s my mother. Fantastic. Just when I thought I could have a night free of family interference.

“Gabe!” Her voice booms over the line, loud enough to wake a sleeping bear. “Where have you been?”

“I’ve been busy,” I grumble back, knowing she isn’t going to let it drop that easy.

“I bet.” Damnit. I guess she already knows about Louisa. “Your brother told us about your adorable mate.” I fucking bet he did. The family grapevine moves faster than a speeding train.

“Then you know why I’m not around.” I should know better, but I can’t stop the words from slipping past my lips.