Free Dear Gabby by Mary Suzanne Page A

with his hand as they walked toward the elevator.
    When they reached the main lobby, he led the way to the parking garage and walked her to his car. Cole made his way around to the passenger side and held the door for her.
    Leaving the garage, he drove through the busy streets and pulled onto the lot of a fancy restaurant and entered. Only minutes passed before a hostess met them and led the way to their table. Gabby looked at the secluded table hidden by potted plants and trailing long vines and wondered if Cole had requested the private setting when he’d made the reservation.
    The place was certainly fancy, Gabby thought silently. On her many dates with Marty, he had never taken her to such an upscale restaurant. While she looked around, a flash of red coloring caught the corner of her eye. She glanced around and saw a woman wearing a red dress weaving her way toward their table.
    "Cole, darling, it’s been a while," she said once she reached them.
    Hearing the flirtatious sound in her voice brought a sick feeling to Gabby’s stomach. Gabby had to admit one thing. Their unexpected guest was a real beauty. Long blonde hair cascaded down her back in a fashionable style and brought out her big blue eyes, fringed with long, dark lashes. Sexy was the adjective coming to Gabby’s mind in describing the woman.
    She leaned forward and planted a warm kiss on Cole's lips, ignoring Gabby’s quiet figure. Gabby held her breath because the front of her dress looked ready to fall and expose everything she owned.
    “I 've been keeping busy, Cindy.* What have you been up to?" Cole stood.
    "Waiting to hear from you," she pouted. "You promised you'd call me last month, but I'm still waiting."
    Cole didn't answer over why he hadn't contacted her. He reached across and placed his hand on Gabby’s shoulder. "Cindy, this is Gabby Fallon.  Cindy Marshall's a friend of mine."
    Gabby noticed how he placed emphasis on the word friend. There was no way in the world Cindy missed it. She finally gave Gabby a closer look and a frown suddenly covered her smooth face. “Is this the one who’s been keeping you so busy?”
    “Yes, we’ve been seeing each other,” Cole replied evasively. “Would you like to join us?”
    Why had he said that they were seeing each other? Gabby thought that he might want Cindy to get the impression he wasn’t available anymore.  Was he using her to ward off any more of Cindy’s romantic notions toward him?
    “No, I have people waiting for me . I should be getting back…," she eventually murmured, turning to look at Cole again. “The group will wonder what’s keeping me so long.”
    "I'll see you later ."
    "Is she another one of your girlfriends?" Gabby followed the blonde’s progress across the room.
    "You sound jealous.  Are you, Gabby?" A long pause followed his question.
    "Why would I be jealous?" She hid her jealousy well. Jealousy gripped her insides with a tight hold and she couldn't do anything to relieve the emotional pressure building in her. She wished she could take back her earlier words.
    "Maybe I was hoping that you could be just a little, ” he said, in a low husky voice. "I guess I've been imagining things in our relationship."
    "I suppose you have .” She answered in what she hoped was an even tone. The arrival of the waitress caused Cole to drop the subject and bought Gabby a little time to settle her nerves. She sighed softly, because she'd almost given herself away. She would have to put a stop to the way she always voiced her personal thoughts and try to make sure she kept her emotions more under control.
    Throughout dinner , they talked about what they were going to do the next day in their search for Samantha. Not one time did Cole bring up their earlier discussion over the jealousy situation, putting Gabby more at ease.
    After finishing their meal Cole drove across town to the hotel. Cole stood outside her room gazing into her eyes before reaching for her. All sensible thoughts