Perfect Fit - Brenda Jackson [127]
“And how’s her mother doing?”
“From what I understand she’s recuperating nicely.”
Christopher nodded and took another slow sip of punch. “So the only reason for your long face is because you miss her.”
If only you knew, Gabe thought. Yes, he was missing Sage like crazy. And the way they’d last spent their time together didn’t help matters. “Yeah, I miss Sage, man. I miss her a lot.”
“If that’s true, it will make what I have to say a lot easier.”
Gabe whirled around at the sound of the familiar feminine voice. His pulse quickened when he saw Sage, and he drew in a shaky breath. “Sage, what are you doing here?”
Sage struggled to pull air into her lungs. “You invited me.”
“Yeah, but you never indicated you would come, and that was before you said all those things that night.”
Sage’s mouth went dry under the intensity of Gabe’s gaze. “I shouldn’t have come?” she asked, needing to know if she’d made a mistake in coming, and if he wanted her to leave.
Christopher cleared this throat, deciding to intervene. “I think the two of you need privacy, so I’m going back inside.” He walked over to Sage and leaned down and kissed her cheek. “It’s good seeing you again, Sage, and I’m looking forward to introducing you to Maxi and my son.”
“Thanks. I’d like that.” She watched Christopher leave, then turned her attention back to Gabe. If there was any doubt in her mind that she loved him, that doubt was erased as she met his gaze. She loved this man with all her heart.
“I’m glad you came,” he finally said, answering her question.
That made hope rise up in Sage. “Are you?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad I came, too.”
Gabe nodded. “How’s your mother?”
“Her condition has improved. She’s home and recuperating nicely. I arrived back in Anchorage early yesterday and went by your office. Your secretary told me you’d be gone for a week, and I couldn’t wait that long to see you again.”
Gabe lifted a brow. “Why?”
“To say some things to you?”
Gabe laughed and shook his head. “Haven’t you already said enough?”
Sage knew she deserved that, and it made her more determined to set things right between them. She inhaled deeply, working up her courage. His expression was unreadable, and she was unsure what his feelings were. She had overheard him telling Christopher that he had missed her, and that meant something. At least she hoped so. “I had a chance to think about things while I was away, Gabe.”
He leaned against the patio rail, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Did you?”
“Yes.”
“And what things did you think about, Sage?”
“I thought about how much I cherish our friendship, our unique closeness and just how lonely my life would be without you in it.” She paused to steady her voice before she continued. “And I thought about what you mean to me.”
Gabe continued to look at her, and Sage knew he wasn’t giving her an inch. She had botched things up between them, and he intended for her to make things right on her own without any help from him.
“And just what do I mean to you, Sage?” he asked slowly. The gaze that held hers never wavered.
She swallowed deeply because what she was about to say was coming straight from her heart. “You mean everything to me, Gabe, and I’m sorry I only recently figured that out.”
“Define what you mean by everything,” he said throatily, with emotions deepening his voice.
She knew what he was asking, what he wanted her to admit. She took a step forward and stood directly in front of him. “I love you, Gabe, with all my heart. I’m sorry for not realizing it before and for walking away. But I was afraid and allowed my insecurities to take control of my mind. Being away from you gave me time to think, and I’m willing to take things to the next level.”
He shook his head. “That’s not good enough for me anymore, Sage.”
Sage felt as if the patio floor had dropped from beneath her with his words. “Oh.” She blinked back tears. Was he telling her that he