CHAPTER 43

Carly's POV

I sat beside Gabe in the parlor, trying to enjoy the warm sunlight streaming through the windows. But my mind kept wandering back to the question that had been eating away at me since... well, since Luca started acting strange.

Gabe seemed lost in thought, his eyes staring off into space as if he was a thousand miles away. I nudged him gently, trying to bring him back to the present.

"Hey, Gabe? You okay? You look like you're in another zone," I said, trying to keep my tone light.

But Gabe just blinked slowly, his expression unreadable. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on inside that head of his.

I took a deep breath and decided to ask the question that had been plaguing me. "Gabe, can I ask you something about Luca?"

Gabe turned to me, his eyes focusing slowly. "What about him?"

That's when I hesitated, unsure how to phrase it. I didn't want to accuse or assume anything, but... "I don't know, it's just... do you think everything's okay with him?"

Gabe's expressi