Page 23 of One Night with Cinderella

“Hell, the whole damn circus about the mess is ridiculous,” Nicolette said. “But hopefully our inclusion in the drama is at its end, especially with the charity event tonight.”

Bzzzzzz.

Gabe wiped his hands with his napkin before pulling his phone from the front pocket of his shirt to check the incoming call. Felicity. He did not answer.

“Is it even necessary to say tonight is not the night for the ladies you would not bring home to meet me?” Nicolette asked, piercing each son with her steely blue eyes. “And especially not the type who would willingly sneak into someone’s home to lie up all evening doing God knows what with one of my horny sons. Right, Lucas?”

Raquel rushed to cover Collette’s ears as the brothers laughed.

Lucas gave his mother his most charming smile. “Of course,” he agreed.

Bzzzzzz.

He looked down at the screen of his phone. Felicity again. He could block her, ignore her calls or answer. His curiosity was piqued by the back-to-back calls so he chose the latter. “Hello, Felicity,” he said, rising to leave the table with his cup of coffee to step outside to the garden.

“Hello, stranger.”

She was in full-flirt mode right out the gate. He could hear it in her husky tones. She wanted something and not just to catch up. “How can I help you?” he asked, hoping to push the conversation forward.

“So businesslike, Gabriel.”

He took a deep sip of the brew. “I haven’t heard from you in a while, so I know there’s something you want from me.”

“Maybe I was reminiscing on the good times and missing you,” she said.

“Or...”

She laughed. It was soft. Meant to allure.

“Or?” Gabe asked again, his voice echoing inside the cup.

“Gabriel, did we end on bad terms?” Felicity asked.

“We didn’t technically end at all. We both just stopped calling each other,” he said, checking the time on his watch. “That’s a clear sign we both moved on, but if there is something I’m able to do for you, just ask.”

“A ticket to tonight’s charity event would be nice.”

Gabe looked up to the sky in exasperation. And there it is.

“I won’t be able to do it, Felicity,” he said.

He hadn’t decided whether to bring a date or not, and the last thing he needed was an impetuous ex to ruin his evening out of spite.

“Besides, I gave away my last two tickets,” he added truthfully.

“Ga-bri-el,” she said in a singsong manner. “It’s your family’s event. Surely you can get another ticket.”

“My brother Phillip runs the foundation and is running the show on the ball. He told us over a week ago it was sold out,” Gabe said.

“I think a ticket would just make me sooo grateful. I might lose my mind and do anything to show my appreciation,” she said with a little moan. “You remember how I show my thanks, don’t you, Ga-bri-el?”

He did.

Gabe cleared his throat. “Felicity, I can’t help, but it was good hearing from you,” he said.

“Was it?” she asked, her tone cool.

“Of course.”

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