Chapter 11Gabriel tried not to feel hurt by Jesse’s words. They were true enough. There’d been no courtship, no talk of love or a future, but Gabriel couldn’t help the way he felt. He’d hoped—especially now—that there had been some level of reciprocal affection from Jesse. Just now, he’d called Gabriel honey, not greenhorn, and he’d sounded different. Or maybe Gabriel was just hearing what he wanted to hear, regardless of fact.
When Jesse came back into the room he looked immaculate once more. Nothing about him even suggested at what had just passed between them. Despite the lack of promises, it hurt. His eyes downcast, Gabriel hurried into his bathroom. The last thing he needed was for Jesse to see how upset he was.
After washing himself quickly, Gabriel splashed some cold water onto hi
