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He clenched his jaw. “You sound like the thought is offensive to you.”
“No, it’s just that I’ve never really been anyone’s girlfriend,” I said and pulled off my sweater in rough movements.
“Hey, come here,” he said and pulled me to the couch, where he planted me on his lap.
“Maybe this is not a bad plan. With a family brunch everyone is going to be there, and we could drop the bomb and reach everyone at the same time.”
“I’m a bomb now?”
Gabriel ignored my comment. “Brent would stay away if he knew you were coming, but I could smuggle you in under his nose as my girlfriend. It could work, Cia.”
“No, it wouldn’t work. He would leave the minute he saw me.”
“He has no clue how you look. You were a child the last time he saw you. I think he deserves to face the family’s wrath when they learn what has been done to one of their own.”
“You really think they would take my side?”
“Absolutely. They better take your side.”
I knitted my brows. “All right then. So you introduce me as your girlfriend and then what? When do you tell them who I really am?”
He shrugged and played with a lock of my hair. “I don’t know; once they’re all at the table and enjoying the food, I think.”
“Okay,” I said slowly. “I’m terrified, but I want to do it.”
He wrapped me tighter. “You won’t be alone, sugar; I’ll be right there beside you.”
It was strange but familiar to be in his lap again, and to hear him say that he had my back made me all mushy inside.
“I’m not sure what scares me the most; meeting my whole family for the first time or being introduced as someone’s girlfriend.”
“Don’t say that.” Gabriel brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “Whoever gets you as his girlfriend is a lucky guy, Cia,” he said and stroked my hair.
I knew he was only trying to make me feel better, but it was still nice of him to say it.
“Thanks… and right back at you.”
He grinned. “I don’t plan on being anyone’s girlfriend.”
I tilted my head, “Are you sure? Because I just met Darren today, and I’m sure he would snatch you up in a heartbeat.”
“Darren, the gallery owner?”
“Yes.”
“Is he gay?”
“Yup, times ten.”
“Well, I don’t have a problem with gays as long as they don’t hit on me.”
“You can hardly blame a guy for hitting on you. After all, you’re very attractive.”
Gabriel smiled. “You think I’m attractive?”
I rolled my eyes. “I told you so the first time I met you… dreamy high school guy… remember?”
He nodded. “That’s right. So if I weren’t your uncle, would you have wanted to be my girlfriend?”
