Sugar, Spice & Secrets

14

"Thanks for tonight," I offered as soon as I realized he was turning into my street.

Gabriele's gaze lingered for a moment. "Did you not like the cakes?"

"What?" I turned my head as fast as I could and shook it. "No! I mean... I liked the cakes, yes!"

Gabriele's eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and warmth as he chuckled softly. The subtle glow of the streetlights accentuated the contours of his face, and a gentle breeze played with my dark hair.

"Good to know you enjoyed the cakes," he replied, his voice a melodic symphony that resonated in the quiet of the night.

Finally reaching my house, he slowed down and parked the car just a house before. He turned to me, his gaze locking with mine. The intensity of his stare sent shivers down my spine, and I found myself momentarily lost in the depth of his hazel eyes.

"I enjoyed spending time with you," he said, a subtle smile played on his lips. "Is that selfish of me?"

A flush of warmth spread across my cheeks, and I averted my gaze, a sudden surge of emotions making my heart race.

"I enjoyed tonight, too," I chuckled. "The cakes especially."

Gabriele's eyes held a flicker of something more, a silent acknowledgement of the unspoken connection we shared. It was strange. It was just two weeks, but I felt closer to him than I thought I would have ever with anyone aside from Zoe, Laura, and Caleb.

However, my joyous moment was interrupted by the unexpected appearance of Caleb. His figure emerged from the shadows of my house, a sudden and unforeseen presence that injected an element of surprise into the night. The atmosphere shifted, the warmth replaced by a cool breeze that carried a hint of guilt in my chest, like I'd be caught cheating.

"Is that your boyfriend?" I turned to look at Gabriele, who was now looking in the direction of my house, where Caleb was standing outside.

Gabriele's expression shifted imperceptibly, a subtle blend of understanding and acceptance. He nodded to himself, his gaze returning to mine, his hazel eyes revealing a depth of emotions that I was sure I was imagining.

"Yeah, that's Caleb," I confirmed, the air suddenly charged with a sense of unease. I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that crept into my chest, even though there was nothing to feel guilty about. And before Gabriele could respond, I found myself uttering, "I should go."

Without waiting for his reply, I stepped out of the car, the cool night air wrapping around me like a cloak of uncertainty. As I approached Caleb, his expression mirrored a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Julie?"

"Julie!"

Oh God.

The echo of my name hung in the air, a haunting reminder of the unexpected turn of events. I turned towards Caleb, attempting to mask the unease that churned within me. "Hey," I said, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil beneath the surface.

Caleb's eyes shifted from me to the person behind me, and a frown creased his forehead. "Who's this?" He inquired, his gaze narrowing with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.

I turned slightly to glance back at Gabriele, who had emerged from the car, his presence adding another layer of complexity to the situation. The air crackled with tension, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the threads connecting us were unravelling.

"Uh, this is... this is Gabriele," I introduced, my voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "Gabriele, meet Caleb."

"Nice to meet you," I watched as Gabriele extended his right hand.