Over the next week I realized that the only thing that changed in the way I acted around Gabe was that we kissed and cuddled more often. “You guys always have acted like you were together,” Jeff said one day when we were hanging out at his house when Gabe and I were cuddling on the coach. “Every time I came home I half expected you to want a threesome,” Ryan joked and we all laughed a little bit. You might think that it’s strange how I’m still hanging out with Ryan after what he did to me. Truthfully, I find it awkward sometimes, and I never fail to add in a cheating joke whenever necessary, but him and Gabe are best friends so if I have learned to become tolerant of Ryan. A phone started vibrating and I soon realized it was Gabe’s. I looked over at it and saw that his mom was calling him. Gabe kissed my forehead and whispered, “I’ll be right back, sötnos,” before getting up and answering his phone.

A rush of cold air hit me as soon as Gabe left and I shivered. “Do you want my sweatshirt?” Ryan asked, concerned. “No, I’m fine.” I whispered while looking at the fabric on the couch. Jeff then excused himself to go to the bathroom. I looked at the room, trying to find something to occupy my time with but out of the corner of my eye I saw that Ryan was just as uncomfortable as I was. I heard Gabe mumbling Swedish to his mother in the distance. “Well this is awkward,” I said with a nervous laugh. Ryan chuckled and added, “I know, it’s still kinda weird for me. I guess the bro code means nothing anymore.” I smiled. “Yeah, you have a douchebag of a best friend,” I joked. “But it’s really me who is the douchebag,” Ryan admitted,” I never should have done that to you and I’m sorry. It was unfair for you and for Gabe to put you both in the positions you were in. I guess I’m just really bad at saying no.” I nodded my head in agreement and Gabe strolled into the room. Instead of sitting back down on the couch, he stood in front of me with his hand extended. “Ready to get out of here?” He asked with a smirk. “Sure,” I said uncertainly.

As I was tying my shoes I saw Jeff come out of the bathroom and acknowledge us leaving. He gave Gabe look and then Gabe nodded his head. We all said our goodbyes but I couldn’t help but wonder what the exchange between Gabe and Jeff had meant. We got into Gabe’s car and started driving in a different direction then both of our houses. “So Gabe, where are we going?” I ask curiously. “You’ll find out soon enough.” I sighed in defeat and waited about 15 minutes until we pulled up to a small park on the outskirts of town. I got out of the car and immediately remembered this place. When Gabe had first moved here, he asked me for a tour of the town but instead, I brought him here and we spent the whole day walking and relaxing and getting to know each other. To me, this was the place that started our whole friendship. “How sentimental of you Gabe.” I said when he walked around the car to me and put his arm around me waist. I looked up at him and he had the biggest smile on his face. “Come on, let’s walk.” Gabe grabbed my hand and we strolled around the deserted park.

We ended up sitting on top of a small hill that overlooked the park and the lake beyond it. I rested my head against Gabe’s chest and we watched the sun start to set. “Natalie?” I looked up at him and stared into his twinkling blue eyes. “Yes?” Gabe smiled and kissed the top of my head. “I have something for you.” I sat up and faced him, ready for whatever he had to give me. He smiled as he reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small navy blue box. “Natalie,” Gabe began, “I just want you to know how much I love you.” He opened the box and inside was a white gold, heart-shaped necklace. “Gabe, this isn’t necessary. I know you love me but this is expensive and,” I was cut-off by Gabe’s lips crashing onto mine. “Do you like it?” He asked a few minutes later. “Of course!” Gabe looked like a kid on Christmas morning, glowing with joy. “Good, because it’s all yours.” He pulled me onto his lap and brought the necklace around my neck. I lifted my hair up as he put it on. “Thank you so much Gabe. I love you.” Gabe kissed my temple and tightened his arms around me. “I love you too, forever and always.” He said, hinting at one of my favorite songs by Parachute. I snuggled closer to Gabe, if it was possible, and we watched the beautiful Canadian sun set over the small lake that rested at the end of the park.