Fighting For You by Megan Noelle Page B

mask your own.  Now you have to suffer a little because of it, but that doesn’t mean you should ever stop talking to him.  This time you need to put your heart out there for all to see.”
    Once again I let my head nod, but a doubt I didn’t know I was feeling came forward. “But what if he decides he doesn’t want me after seeing the real me?”
    Gabby smiled and shook her head. “That is never going to happen, Danielle.  The only reason that man would ever decide he doesn’t want you is, well, never.  Just be you, and let yourselves be the way you are meant to be.”
    “Thanks, Gabby.  Now, tell me—how was your date?”
    Her head fell backwards in exaggeration. “My God, that man—I can’t—I literally have no words!  He’s amazing! That’s the best way I can put it!”
    I couldn’t help but laugh at her expressions.  “So, why didn’t you spend the night with him?” Gabby waved her hand in the air to erase my question. 
    “Because I’m not stupid, Dani!  You don’t think I know that he’s probably got a different woman in there every night?  It was just a night of fun. I don’t expect anything more from him.”
    Her explanation of their night brought a smile to my heart.  Corey and I started in that exact same way.  A single night of fun that meant nothing more.  Boy was I wrong.  That one night, that one distraction, changed my life forever.  I would never be the same after it and, without him in my life, there would never be a distraction great enough to help me forget.  Corey had branded himself in my heart and there was no chance of that ever changing.
     
     
    We went to bed shortly after and for the first time my dreams had a chance of coming true.  It taught me that I would, never again, take for granted the simplicity of a kiss.  That single kiss rocked my world and, throughout my peaceful sleep, I dreamt of that moment and how I could never get enough.
    The next morning, I was up by nine and decided to let Gabby sleep in while I showered and prepared for the day.  Although there was nothing new about washing my face, brushing my teeth and picking out clothes—it all felt different.  My face looked cleaner, my teeth were whiter, and I couldn’t shake the stupid smile from my face.  There was no denying it—that kiss had completely shaken my world and I refused to let anything bring me down.  After I was dressed, I made my way into the kitchen to get my coffee started.  I only half realized that it felt more like I was dancing my way throughout the house than walking about. 
    Apparently, I was so in my own world that I didn’t even notice Gabby’s arrival.  When I turned away from the fridge and saw her standing there, a monstrous scream roared from me. Gabby didn’t even blink from her zombie appearance - bags under her eyes, hair a mess and lids still half closed.
    “Holy shit, Gabby!  You scared me!” My hand flew to my heart to slow the furious pounding.
    “What the hell?” She asked, slowly pronouncing every syllable.
    “What’s the matter?”  Gabby’s jaw dropped open as she motioned at me, as if it should have been completely obvious.  I raised a single eyebrow and continued to wait for an answer.
    “How am I supposed to get any beauty rest around here when it sounds like a damn rock concert is in the kitchen?”
    I opened my mouth to argue but snapped it closed.  I thought for a minute and then tried again.
    “Was I really that loud?”
    Her sleepy eyes rolled at me as she crossed her arms over her chest.
    “Would I be out here scolding you if you weren’t?” I thought for a minute before shaking my head. 
    “Sorry,” I offered up lamely.  I still couldn’t quite wipe the smile from my face, but I truly did feel bad for waking her. Again.
    Gabby made her way across the kitchen and hopped up onto the counter next to my coffee mug.  A long gulp poured down her throat before she continued the lecturing.
    “Dani, I am so beyond