Page 63 of Love is Strange
“Anyway,” Gabe continued. “Not thirty seconds after I hung up the phone with the inept security guards, there was a knock on my office door.”
“Sweet Jesus, this couldn’t be any better if it was scripted,” Decker said with a laugh. “Go on. I need to know more.”
Gabe laughed. “For fuck’s sake, you’re like a little old lady catching up on her soap operas…”
“My Ma calls them stories… but go on,” Decker said, clearly not at all phased by Gabe’s attempt at an insult.
“Well, after busting through security, taking the elevator up 49 flights, and completely bypassing my secretary…” Gabe continued.
“You have a secretary?” Decker asked, wiggling his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
“Yes. Mildred Packabee… 67… I think you’re a bit young for her… Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Sophia brought me a basket lunch. A pastrami sandwich, some fruit, and a bottled water.”
“That was… uh… sweet,” Decker said, unsure of how to react.
“And a bit creepy,” Gabe added.
“So how was the sandwich?” Decker asked.
“I didn’t eat it,” Gabe admitted.
“After all that?!” Decker exclaimed.
“What if it was poisoned?!” Gabe asked his friend. “I understand that you’re not really out there in the dating game much… But when a woman texts you three thousand times in one day, you block her, and then she shows up at your job… Bypasses security… Just to bring you a pastrami sandwich… Something is fucking off.”
“Well yeah, I guess when you put it that way,” Decker admitted. “Well hey, at least you don’t have to go out with her again.”
“Thank God for small miracles…” Gabe replied. “This next one should be fine…”
“Where’d you meet this one at?” Decker asked. After hearing about Sophia, anything would be an improvement.
“Coffee shop. Down the street from my office building… She’s a barista.”
“You’re fucking a barista…”
“No. Not yet at least. She’s a stage actress, too…”
Gabe looked down at his watch and realized that he was running late, and had to be going.
“Wait, a stage actress? Which one?!” Decker demanded to know.
As Gabe scrambled to collect his things off the booth and from the surface of the table, he muttered, “Veronica Westerley. Shit, I gotta go. Running late.”
“Wait!” Decker called out to his friend as he rushed out of the restaurant. “The Veronica Westerley?!” But before Gabe could answer his friend’s question, he was gone, the doors of the restaurant swinging idly in the wind.
Chapter Four
Cinder staredat her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes traced the supple curve of her lips, the dark line of winged liner over her eye, the smoky shadow that colored her eyelids… She was satisfied with the way she looked. She hoped that Gabriel would be, too. She had waited a long time for this day. She had watched him from a far, hoping that one day the handsome man in the designer suit would pay attention to her. Her day had come. Now, she had to keep his attention… and Cinder thought she knew just how to obtain a level of affection that she deemed sufficient.Many women had come before me,Cinder thought.Many women have failed. But none have loved Gabriel Cartwright in the manner and in the intensity that I do.
You see, I’ve watched Gabriel Cartwright for a long time. He is a man of discerning taste and simple needs. He’s taught me a lot in the short time that I have known him… and this time, I will give him exactly what he needs.
Smoothing her glossy red hair, Cinder allowed the tresses to fall gracefully down her back. Reaching for a white gown encrusted with crystals, she stepped into her ensemble, pulling the dress over her supple curves. Once again, Cinder stared at her reflection, and admired her likeness in the floor length mirror. She twirled once, smoothing the fabric of the form fitted dress over her stomach. Bringing one hand to her mouth, Cinder traced the line of her lips with one perfectly manicured finger.
“This time, Gabriel Cartwright will receive the love he deserves.”
Chapter Five
Gabe arrivedat the theatre on time, thanks to the cab driver who had ran through no less than seven red lights. Promptly, Gabe picked up his ticket at Will Call, just as Cinder had promised. Walking into the theatre that Gabe had been to so many times before, a feeling crept over him. Somehow, someway, this trip to the theatre felt different. He was spectating alone. He was here as a guest of one of the actresses. There was no pressure. He would not have to see his date until after the performance. Meanwhile, all the pressure was on his date to impress him. Gabe Cartwright knew a thing or two about performing under pressure. He was curious if sweet little Cinder was up for the challenge.
