Jerrell pulled open the heavy glass door of the upscale cafe across from the hospital. He guided Gabriella inside, his hand hovering respectfully just behind her lower back.
He pulled out a chair by the large window and waited for her to sit down before taking the seat across from her.
Without asking, Jerrell looked at the waiter. "One skim latte, no sugar, and an oatmeal cookie, please."
Gabriella felt a sudden rush of warmth in her chest. He remembered. After ten years, he still remembered exactly how she took her coffee. The tight knot of anxiety in her stomach finally loosened.
Jerrell folded his hands on the marble table. His blue eyes held a gentle, scolding look.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back to New York?" he asked softly.
Gabriella bit the inside of her cheek. She stirred her coffee with the small wooden stick.
"I just finished my fellowship in California," she explained, looking down at her cup. "I wanted to get my apartment sorted out before I bothered anyone."
Jerrell sighed. He reached across the table. His long fingers gently brushed against her cheek as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
The physical contact made Gabriella's breath hitch. Her skin tingled where he touched her. It felt exactly like it did ten years ago in their high school library.
Desperate to hide the sudden flush on her neck, Gabriella quickly changed the subject.
"I had a terrible night yesterday," she blurted out. She gripped her coffee cup tightly. "I got picked up by this horrible, unlicensed driver at the airport."
She rapidly told him about the nightmare ride and the humiliating scene at the police station. She told him the driver was Emmett Kane.
The moment that name left her lips, the warmth in Jerrell's eyes vanished. His brow furrowed deeply.
He pulled his hand back and sat up straight. His voice became incredibly serious.
"Gabby, listen to me," Jerrell warned, leaning closer. "Stay far away from the Kane family. Especially Emmett."
Jerrell lowered his voice, looking around the cafe. He described Emmett's reputation in the Manhattan elite circles. He called him a ruthless playboy who destroyed lives for fun.
"Cosmos Dynamics is a tech giant, yes," Jerrell said, his jaw tight. "But the way Emmett built that empire... it was bloody. He has no morals."
Gabriella's stomach dropped. Her hands felt cold. She realized her decision to tear up that blank check this morning was the smartest thing she had ever done.
Before she could respond, a deafening roar of a V8 engine shattered the quiet atmosphere of the cafe.
A bright red Ferrari violently pulled up to the curb, parking illegally right on the yellow line outside the window.
The butterfly doors swung upward. Julian Croft jumped out. He was wearing a loud floral silk shirt and oversized sunglasses.
Julian spotted them through the glass. He waved his arms wildly and jogged into the cafe.
"You guys are having a secret reunion without me?" Julian yelled, slapping Jerrell hard on the shoulder.
Julian pulled off his sunglasses. He looked at Gabriella and let out an exaggerated, loud whistle.
"Damn, Gabby," Julian grinned. "You got way hotter than you were in high school."
Gabriella burst out laughing. The heavy, terrifying talk about Emmett Kane was instantly forgotten. Julian's chaotic energy was exactly what she needed.
Julian slammed his hands on the table. "I'm paying tonight. We are going to that new three-star Michelin place in Midtown. Welcome back dinner!"
Gabriella instinctively shook her head. "I can't, Julian. I have an early board meeting at the hospital tomorrow."
Jerrell placed his hand softly over hers. "It's just one dinner, Gabby. You need to relax. I promise I'll drive you home early and safe."
Looking at the eager faces of her two oldest friends, Gabriella couldn't find it in her heart to say no. She nodded slowly.
Julian snapped his fingers in excitement. He immediately pulled out his phone, dialing the restaurant manager to secure the VIP private dining room.
As the sun began to set over Manhattan, Jerrell drove his Porsche toward Midtown. Classical music played softly from the speakers. Jerrell reached over and turned the heater up two degrees, noticing Gabriella shivering slightly.
Gabriella looked out the window at the blurring neon lights. For the first time since she landed, she felt a genuine sense of anticipation for the night.
But she had no idea what Julian had done. Right after booking the table, Julian had opened his messages and casually sent the restaurant's GPS pin to Emmett Kane.
