Page 112 of The Photograph

Bob rushes past a waiter who darts away just in time to let him run toward the gates.

Cal and I re-enter the house through the open French doors, just as a woman whispers, “Now, this is getting interesting. Vanessa just arrived. My God, she’s unbelievable. Did you know…?”

I stop listening, but whoever was the gossip, was right. The woman is relentless. Dressed in a tight, white gown, she sways toward me, smiling big for the benefit of the crowd and the journalists in attendance.

She touches my chest. “Gabriel, darling, this little get-together is such a success.”

When she loops her hand around my neck and purses her lips, I unhook her arms and step back. “Where’s your husband, Vanessa?”

She pales and clears her throat. “Philip couldn’t make it today which leaves us plenty of time to catch up, you and I.”

Not going to happen.“There’s nothing to catch up on. Have a good night.”

Her lips pinch tight for a second, and not wanting to lose face, she waves at someone in the crowd while I walk away.

When Cal lifts his chin to signal me, I track his gaze to Aelin surrounded by a small group of people.

She looks like a dream. Beautiful, sensual. As if she heard me, she twists and flashes me a blinding smile that punches me hard. She’s also wearing the earrings I sent this morning, and I get harder.

“I’m out.” Cal grunts and disappears.

Fifteen minutes later, Aelin comes out of the kitchen, and I stride to her as she walks out of the busy space.

She stops and her gold eyes widen. “Gabe, hi.”

“Aelin. You’re beautiful.”

Her lips stretch and she reaches up to place a soft kiss on my mouth. “I know you don’t like me kissing you in public. I just wanted to thank you for the earrings, I love them.”

What?

She scurries back into the crowd.When have I ever told her not…?Damnit. That day at the restaurant. The way she kissed me—slow, deep, made me so hard I had to fight myself to not ravish her on the table.

This miscommunication bullshit stops now.I zero in on her as she steps out through one of the French windows into the gardens.

I stride toward my woman when someone grips my arm. I turn to Vanessa.

“Gabe, can we talk?”

“Vanes—”

Her grip tightens. “Please? It’s important.”

Let’s get this over with.“Come with me.” I open the old study Aelin transformed into a library. There are books on mounted shelves covering three walls while the fourth wall is a digital heaven. Three flat screens are pinned to the wall with keyboards concealed in sliding shelves next to a tower of headphones, mice, tablets, and USB keys. I like what she did with the room.

After shutting the door behind us, I dive my hands in my pockets. She breathes out slowly and smiles.What now?I’ve always hated how affected she is. Giving herself airs she had to learn.

“Philip and I are getting a divorce … and I think, I think that’s because he knows I’m still in love with you.”

Here it goes.“And it took you ten years to realize that?”

She puts her hands on my chest, her eyes pleading. “I miss you and I know you’ve missed me, too. We’re meant for each other.” A tear tracks down her cheek. “I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it, but I now know in my heart that I love you and will never be happy without you.”

Or without my money and the lifestyle you think you deserve.Staring at her performance, I shake my head.

“Vanessa—”

Her hands clutch the panels of my jacket. “I know you, Gabe. The real you. That girl will never be me.”

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