Page 19 of The Photograph

I stop at her expression and sit up. “What? You think he’s out of my league?”

She touches my cheek. “Not at all. You’re crazy smart and absolutely gorgeous, but I think … in terms of experience he might be. Sexual experience…”

Ouch.I yank my hands from hers. “I’ve dated before, and I’ve watched porn,”which was a bad idea in terms of education, but still. “I’m not living under a rock.”

Emma winces. “I saw a couple of pictures of him during the opening of his palace hotel in Europe a few years back, and Gabe Matthews has this very … uh Me-Tarzan, you-Jane vibe. So, I think he probably dates experienced women.”

She’s right. I know she is. But ouch.“I get it. I’m out of my depth with someone like him.”

When I retreat to my sketch table, Emma wraps her arms around my waist from behind, and I wheel around to hug her back.

She kisses my cheek, and her hands are cool when she frames my face.

“Ael. I’m far from being an expert.” Her mouth curves in a side smile. “You know, single mom and all that. If you like him and want to do something about it, go for it. But just be careful of the blowback. This is our biggest, most prestigious contract. You’ve worked really hard for this, and if something goes wrong, you’ll lose more than just a relationship. Is it worth all of that?”

I shrug and bite my lip. “Em, I’ve never felt this way before, ever, for anyone, and I want to… I need to see where this can go. Even if it doesn’t work out it won’t impact my work at Holloway which is nearly finished anyway. It’s just—”

She touches her forehead to mine. “Okay, babe, I get it. Just be careful, okay?”

****

A few days later, I flatten my back in the nook underneath the double grand stairs to keep out of the way of the dozen movers carrying various sized boxes. When the coast is clear, I hop sideways, and startle one burly, sweaty man who growls at me. After mumbling an apology, I take refuge in the front garden where I settle on one of the stone benches.

Jen’s done a fantastic job. Amidst the shrubs, she’s mixed wild plants and flowers which gives the gardens an exotic feel.

I take a deep breath filling my lungs with the morning air. I might have been presumptuous in my assessment of the situation with Gabe. He’s not attracted to me at all. The few times we’ve crossed paths, I smiled with plenty of eye contact, or talked about restaurants or galleries or movies I’ve heard about, but … nothing. Gabe Matthews is anything but obtuse, and I haven’t been particularly subtle, so, what I thought was interest was just him being … friendly? But there’s the pendant. And the way he looks at my mouth as if he—

The roar of the movers’ trucks snaps me out of my daydreaming, and I return to the lounge. I divided the wide room with its tall arched French windows into three by using wrought iron screen dividers Gabe had custom made in Italy. It’s coming together beautifully.

The day we set them up I sent a picture of the room to Gabe, and a couple of hours later, I received a giant bouquet of roses and lilies with a thank you note I shared with my team.

As I’m laying down the heavy drapes that will become the main bedroom’s curtains on the floor, my cell beeps, and I hold my breath. It’s Gabe.

Dinner?

Yes!After I accept, another text with the details of the arrangement Gabe made for his chauffeur to pick me up at 7:00 PM has me grinning, and I go back to work singing a poppy tune about being a room without a roof.

I rush home and race to my bedroom where I pick a burnt orange wrap dress that opens high on my leg and emphasizes my small waist which I pair with silver sandals and a bottle green sparkly clutch.

At 7:21 PM, perched on the armchair of our front room clutching my cell in one hand while chewing my thumb fingernail on the other, I inhale deep. My cell vibrates. “Gabe, is everything all right?”

He sounds distracted. “Aelin, something came up I have to personally deal with. I apologize, but I have to cancel tonight.”

My heart sinks. “I understand. Is there anything I can—?”

“Have to go. Again, I’m sorry.”

“Take ca—” I watch the silent cell, he’s already gone. “Bye.”

I stare at my phone wishing it to ring again, and tears press behind my eyes. I kick off my heels and pad to the kitchen where I pour a large glass of wine I leave on the counter. After dropping my dress on the shaggy rug of my bedroom, I slip under my covers and think of rainbows.

The next day, while I trudge to the shower, the doorbell rings.God. It’s 7:38 AM. Way too early for life to be so noisy.

I open the front door and thank the delivery woman as she pushes a large black box with the white interlocked double C.

Chanel? Who would...?

My heartbeat speeds up. “Are you sure this is for me?”

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