Dating Gabe felt like living a double life — but not the stressful kind. It was the kind of secret that made everything feel more exciting, like the world had carved out a private space just for the two of you. The stolen glances behind shelves at the Black Lantern, the coded texts when others were around, the long goodbyes that lingered just a little too much when no one was watching. Your relationship didn’t need an audience — not yet. There was something peaceful about keeping it between the two of you, like the silence made it more sacred.

Steph was starting to catch on. You could tell by the way she squinted when you and Gabe disappeared at the same time or how she made oddly specific jokes about “mystery couples” in Haven. Ryan, oblivious as ever, kept shipping you two without realizing it — tossing out lines like, “You guys make a great team,” completely unaware of just how right he was. Gabe would just shoot you a wink and change the subject, that familiar grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, as if keeping the secret was half the fun.

But that all changed one lazy afternoon by the lake. You thought you were alone. Gabe had brought a blanket, a couple of cold beers, and that calming energy he always carried. The kiss was soft, slow — the kind that makes time slow down. But the snap of a twig gave you away.

Steph’s voice rang out, smug and victorious:

—“Aha! I knew it!”

Ryan stared in stunned silence. And Alex, standing just behind them, crossed his arms and smiled.

—“Took you long enough to make it official.”