Page 125 of Plunge into Obsession

But when this was over, Gabriel and I would be going to bed for the first time as man and wife, and something about that seemed so fucking daunting.

I didn’t want to think about it.

Dinner was currently being set up.

Gabriel was pulled away from me moments before for something.

I stood by the dessert table, eyeing the chocolate-covered strawberries lined up on a gold tray, and wondered if I could eat it without ruining my dress or makeup when another person came and stood beside me.

I glance at the girl with big brown eyes and long dark brown hair. She wore a red dress that fitted her form well and perfectly matched the shade of her lipstick.

She looked up at me just as she plopped a strawberry in her mouth.

I smiled, and her eyes widened, a small blush gracing her delicate cheeks.

She was just as shy as she had been two years ago.

“Catalina? I don’t know if you remember me—”

She grabbed my hand and nodded. I waited until she finished the strawberry in her mouth, wondering if she would speak to me.

Gabriel had briefly mentioned her history to me.

I didn’t blame her for not wanting to speak, though he said she was getting better, and she had spoken to him, as rare as that was.

She looked down at our hands before pulling hers away.

I waited patiently.

Then, “Yes, I remember you. You were so nice to me at the club. You even showed me how to do my makeup.”

Her voice was soft yet not. There was a slight raspy quality to it that made me want to listen to her talk for as long as possible.

“There’s nothing to it. You should meet my friend, Kaia. She’s the one who does it really well. She did my makeup for today.”

Catalina looked up at me with a small smile. “I would love to. You look beautiful today.”

“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.” I don’t know if you still have my number, but if you ever need a friend—”

“I still have your number,” she blurted out. “I meant to call you. But things were… hectic with me during that time, and by the time things settled, well, too much time had passed, and I didn’t know how to go about contacting you…”

It was my turn to grab her hand. I waited until she looked at me and offered a small smile. “It’s okay. I understand. You can call me anytime. Our husbands are obviously close, and I can really use a friend.”

“You want to be my friend?” she asked, sounding genuinely surprised. My heart broke for her and all she must have gone through.

“Of course,” I said.

She smiled at me. “I hope you’re happy with Gabriel. He’s a good man. But I also know it can be hard to love a man that does… what Gabriel does.”

Her eyes moved to the side, and I followed her face to the three men standing not far from us. All three eyes were focused intensely on Catalina, as if she was the sun, and they couldn’t help but gravitate toward her.

I wondered what that would be like.

“I’ll try to be,” I said, looking away from them, my heart hurting a little.

Catalina turned back to me and smiled.

“Dinner is ready,” Gabriel said, coming up from my other side. I startled a bit as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

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