he had to hide the almost devilish smirk that crept up on his lips as he watched a tinge of pink creep up her neck, soon to paint it’s way onto her cheeks as well. good to know things hadn’t really changed all that much since the last time they’d seen each other.
“hmm, i’m shocked you didn’t call me a grandpa. some of your past classmates have whenever they see me out. but you, you were always different.” he said in a teasing tone as he gave her a slight raise of his brow. he was sure she knew what he meant, but he was still trying to play it all off in front of her friends. but this was nick, he wasn’t really for subtly, but he was trying nonetheless. but he could tell she was slightly nervous, which confused him slightly and caused him place his hand on her thigh with a small, comforting pat.
the information she’d just given him caused a slightly shocked look to dance across his features before a smile crept up on his lips. “well that’s not something i would have expected to hear, but i’m glad you found your twin. siblings are something i wish i’d had.”
it was true, he hadn’t expected to hear that and one of the thoughts that went through his head was he was a little glad this brother of hers hadn’t met him because nick wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep a straight face back then. but that was back then, now he was sure he could meet the other male and be extremely happy for the pair.
as her friend pipped up, his attention was drawn to the voice for only a moment as he realized gabi’s friends delved into their own conversations, leaving them to be able to talk about whatever they wanted to without having to worry about feeling like they were leaving the other’s out of their conversation. which gave them a chance to catch up, and for nick to well, be nick.
what a blessing that was.
“me?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders. “i don’t really know, honestly. aston just has a way of bringing people back, i guess.” he said, running a hand through his hair. “glad i did come back though, didn’t think i’d be seeing you anytime soon.”
“because you look nothing like a grandpa - you know that.” gabi mumbled the last part, though she knew he still heard her all the same. he was probably the most attractive person gabriella had ever seen, and the fact that they had somewhat of a fling years ago is still a shock to her.
his hand on her thigh automatically kickstarted something inside of gabi. it was like she was taken back to when the pair had first started their escapade, especially during their tutoring sessions. his hand on her thigh and fingers in her hair was all it took to ignite their fire, and just the placement alone reminded her of how much she actually missed him.
trying to play it all off, the blonde nodded along when he spoke about her twin. “take one of mine, then.” she joked lightly, finally gaining the confidence to look over at him. “i’ve got too many now.”
with the addition of matthew, gabi had four siblings to call hers. so, you know, she wasn’t being selfish in offering to share.
“i didn’t think i’d be seeing you, either.” she admitted, tucking a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. “i haven’t seen you since i was...what? eighteen?” gabi shook her head incredulously, not even believing how long it had been since the two had been together. “that’s crazy.”
