Hypnotized by Lacey Wolfe

have a sinking feeling that before long, I wouldn’t have Evan in my life, at all?
    * * *
    I stared at my screen watching Kristy as she chatted about some guy she’d met on the beach, and how she was obsessed with seeing him again. Yet she hadn’t gotten his name.
    “It sounds like you’re having fun, though,” I said.
    “A blast. You, too, even though Evan is being a suck face.”
    I laughed at her choice of words. “Yeah.”
    “When are you seeing Gabe again?”
    “Soon.” I missed him. “Ms. Clara let me have the week off so I could adjust to classes. I’m hoping to spend some of my free time with him.”
    “Is he still heating you up?” I could see Kristy trying to contain a giggle.
    I shook my head and grinned. “I’m not kissing and telling.”
    “Bitch.” She stuck her tongue out. “I’d tell you.”
    “If it happens, I promise to call and tell you.”
    “You’d better.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Roomie’s here. Gotta go,” she leaned close to the phone, “you have no freakin’ idea how lucky you are that your parents are renting you a place.”
    “We’ll chat soon.” I pressed the button to end the video call.
    I knew I was lucky my parents had gotten me this place, even though I was lonely. I wished I had someone to hang out with in the evenings. With Evan acting weird, I didn’t want him here. I’d yet to meet anyone at school. Truth be told, I just wanted to be with Gabe. That was it. Something was wrong with me.
    My stomach rumbled. I dragged myself into the kitchen, but all I had were Hot Pockets and Ramen Noodles. I wanted neither. I texted my bank account to get my balance. After it came back, I decided to head in to town and grab a bite to eat somewhere.
    The air was humid, and I was glad I’d opted to wear it up; otherwise, I’d have a frizz mess before long. I turned down the road that would take me by Blue Mountain Coffee. I hadn’t heard from Gabe yet today. No text or call to see how my first day was. Maybe I was being childish. After all, he was older and didn’t go to college. I guess I was lame thinking he’d want to see how my first day was.
    With a five year difference between us, would we ever be on the same level as each other? Or would I always be the one catching up to where he was in life?
    I was not going to keep having these thoughts. No reason to jinx something that had just started.
    His bike sat out front the coffee shop. I couldn’t exactly walk by without going in, could I? They served pastries. Come to think of it. I could really go for some caffeine right about now.
    I pulled the black door open and stepped in. Right away, I heard a giggle and turned to see some girl sitting at a table with Gabe. She paid me no attention, but he did.
    “Paisley.” He grinned and held a hand out.
    I reluctantly took it and he pulled me down into a chair next to his. The girl no longer smiled; instead, she shot a daggered look at me. Was I interrupting something? I felt like I had. No one talked. Just sat quietly.
    The girl pushed her chair back and stood, and I noticed the apron she wore with the coffee shop’s logo on it. “I’ll get back to work.”
    Once she was back behind the counter, she pulled her phone out and put her back to us. I glanced over at Gabe who leaned forward and quickly kissed my lips.
    “I missed you,” he said.
    I couldn’t shake the feeling I had. Something wasn’t right. “Who was that?” I asked, not caring if I sounded like a jealous girlfriend. Hell, I was one.
    “That’s Leah. She works here, you should know that. She’s been here each time you’ve come.”
    Obviously, I hadn’t paid any attention to the employees. “Are you friends?”
    He sipped from the drink in front of him. “I guess. Not really.”
    Apparently, he didn’t get I needed a little more info then he was giving. “Why was she sitting with you?”
    “Chill, Pais.” He released my hand and leaned back in his chair. “She has a crush on