Chapter 15

Gabriela moves to the head of the bed and cups my cheek. “You’re welcome to stay,” she says. “I’ll only be a couple of hours. But if you don’t, make sure to go out the back. It’ll lock behind you.” She gives me a quick peck on the cheek. “Remember to disable the alarm first.”

The apartment door clicks shut and I am alone. And the longer I am alone, the more the disheartening thoughts begin to creep inside my head. I fell in love with you last night, Gabriela. Okay, so I didn’t exactly verbalize it, but it sure felt like love to me. So, what exactly am I to you? I honestly didn’t know. And if it’s not love, then what was last night all about?

I think about it for another twenty minutes, by her bedroom clock, before I decide to get cleaned up and sneak out the back. As I am getting dressed, I find the wad of bills in my pocket, the twenties that she had so insistently pressed into my hand last night.