Page 46 of For Always
Gabriella didn’t trust easily. She couldn’t afford to because she knew how quickly that oath could be broken. And she wasn’t even supposed to be in this position with Tyler West. But she was. So now what?
“Thank you,” she said quickly, deciding to think about the rest later.
Because the rest was big and it was more than she’d bargained for, but at the same time she knew it wasn’t something she could put off forever. Still, she just wanted this moment with him. The moment that she felt encircling them. Him looking earnestly at her, touching her with only kindness and compassion.
“I really appreciate you understanding, Tyler.”
“How could I not understand when all I’ve done is pull you into drama and dysfunction since the day we met?”
He grinned and she smiled in return. “I guess that’s true.”
He laughed out loud. “You didn’t have to agree with me so quickly. Come on, the food’s getting cold.”
As if on cue, her stomach growled. Loudly.
Tyler continued to laugh.
Fighting for at least a little dignity and because she felt partially better, she reached for the bottled water and told him, “It’s not funny. You’re the one obsessed with smoothies as a meal.”
“Not obsessed,” he said as he circled the bed and sat across from her on the other side of the tray. “They’re quick and serve a purpose.”
“Well, so is,” she paused while lifting the cover off one of the plates. “So is this. Thank you so much, Dessie.”
Gabriella inhaled the delectable scent of the cheeseburger with mustard, lettuce and pickles on her plate.
“She said that so far this was the only favorite she knew of for you,” Tyler told her when he lifted the cover from his plate to reveal another cheeseburger.
“It is my most favorite meal ever,” she said and picked up a napkin to set in her lap.
As her stomach had indicated, Gabriella was starving.
“Well, maybe I should tell you the news I have before you start eating. I wouldn’t want to ruin your most favorite meal ever,” he told her.
Her shoulders sagged instantly. “Oh no. Did something else happen? Was there some clue left in the room at the resort that confirms it was Austin?”
“No,” he said. “And for the record, I never believed the person who destroyed that room was connected to you. Like I said before, I apologize for pulling you into my dysfunctional situation.”
“But I just told you about Austin. He’s sent me text messages since I’ve been here,” she insisted.
“That doesn’t mean he knows where you are, Gabriella. Did you tell him? Do you know of anyone who would give him that information?”
She hadn’t thought about that. Adriana knew where she was and why, but Adriana lived in Miami and she had no idea who Austin was. The only other person who knew, besides her team at The Proctor Group, was Mallory, her mentor. Mallory also knew Gabriella had dated Austin and that they had broken up and that’s why Gabriella left his agency. She did not know anything else and she would never tell Austin where Gabriella was.
“No. I don’t,” she admitted.
“It wasn’t him,” Tyler stated.
And she knew from his tone that there was more.
“Who was it?”
“Brooke,” he said. “And before we go any further, she’s in custody. The sheriff tracked her down at the airport. It’s a crazy demented story of a woman that’s crazy and demented and I’ll gladly tell you every word of it after we eat this delicious meal.”
When she was about to ask another question, Tyler held up a hand. He lifted his other arm and looked down at his watch.
“Dessie’s going to be in here in about five seconds to make sure you’re eating, so I’d suggest you let this conversation rest, until this plate is clean, or face her wrath.”
Tyler didn’t wait for her to respond, but hurriedly blessed the food and picked up his burger to take a bite.
