Bittersweet

~~ Apologies & Invites ~~

I turned to face him, ensuring my smile was in place. "Sorry I'm fresh out, if you give me a minute I will be back out with filled glasses." Assuming he wanted a drink.

"No, I just wanted to talk to you, do you have a minute?"

It was the least I could do since our last conversation. The ideal opportunity to apologise for my unnecessary outburst when we'd last spoken. "Sure. There's something I need to say too. We could head outback?" I flicked my head in the kitchen's direction.

He nodded. "Now?"

"Yeah, I'm sure I can take a break." He followed closely behind. Almost bumping into someone coming through the door we were entering, I stepped back and found myself flush against Gabe's chest. His hands slipped to my hips to steady me. Breath stuck in my throat; his heat engulfed me.

"I got you," he whispered in my ear, sending a shiver right down my center. Gulping, I found my voice.

"T-thanks."

"No problem." He released his hold on me and my breath escaped. Pushing through the door, I placed my tray down and spotted Janelle. "J, gonna take five, okay?"

She looked up as her eyes roamed over Gabe. Now stood at the side of me. A look of recognition crossed her face. "Sure hon, we're good here for a while."

Quickly heading towards the exit, I pushed open the door. The LA sunlight was bright and warm, as I took a few steps into a courtyard, twisting to face him. "So, you're friends with the happy couple?"

He nodded, rubbing his hand across his chin. "Yeah, Justin is Jakes'...my best friend's brother."

"Ah, nice. They look happy together." Well, this was awkward. Here goes. "Gabe, I need to apologise for the last—" he interrupted.

"Jenna. Honestly, you have nothing to apologise for."

He was wrong. "Yes. Yes, I do Gabe." I shook my head before meeting his eyes. "You were nothing but nice to me at the hospital... that day. And you didn't deserve to be yelled at the very next day, taking my anger out on you. It was unfair." I paused, feeling the shame of the day return, like a dead weight it tightened across my shoulders.

Gabe's ran his hand through his hair. "Apology accepted, but I should apologise for my dad." His jaw clenched. "He was clearly out of line."

I was aware of Gabe's black sheep status in the Valentino family. Him and Marco apparently didn't see eye-to-eye. "No argument there. But those things I said—to you. It was wrong. I had no right. I know nothing about your life and to say what I did—I'm sorry, Gabe."

I stood quiet for a few seconds; Gabe looked lost in thought. "You'd better head back to your date."

His eyes snapped to mine. "No, she's just a friend—It's not a date. Well, not a date like that kind of date—dating as a couple, kind of date." He stumbled over his words in a kinda cute, embarrassed way.

Okay... "She seems nice." Tony often stated Gabe went through women like underwear, a fear of commitment perhaps?

He took a step closer. "Jenna, I was hoping—" he stopped.

Closer, I had to tilt my head to meet his gaze. "Yes?"

He let out a puff of air, as if frustrated with himself. "Listen, I run a bar and we have entertainment a few nights a week—live bands. I thought you could come down, bring your friends, have a night on me—all free. Drink as much as you want."

I wasn't expecting that.

"If you give me your number, I can text you the address." He pulled his phone from his inside jacket.