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“If you look at me like that, we won’t be going anywhere,” he says.
Somewhere between last night and this morning, our openness with one another has moved to a different level, and I can’t say I regret it. If I only have this weekend to enjoy this man, then I’m going to embrace it. Gabriel’s not only gorgeous but also intelligent and knowledgeable, and he has a dry sense of humour hidden under his serious exterior. Maybe he’s not as different from his brother as he thinks, simply more reserved.
“Then I shall have to close my eyes and put my trust in you that you won’t let me fall overboard,” I say.
We spend what’s left of the morning travelling the hop-on-hop-off bus, taking our time to get off and wander several of the beautiful sites. We grabbed lunch in a small cafe before heading back to the marina. We talk and laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Gabriel this relaxed. Gone is my quietly grumpy boss, replaced by a more relaxed version. Small talk still isn’t his thing, but when he talks about the things he’s passionate about, he’s a field of knowledge.
“I’ve had some dresses delivered for you to try for this evening,” he says as we arrive back.
“Excuse me?” I say, wondering if I’ve heard him correctly.
“They’re hanging in the wardrobe in the master cabin. See if there is anything suitable.”
He motions to the door.
“Oh. Do you want to see? Having never been to the casino, I’d like some input,” I say, turning towards him.
“Of course, but the decision is yours. I want you to be comfortable.”
I smile at his thoughtfulness, my jaw dropping open when I see the selection of dresses. Each is a designer brand and gorgeous.
“Oh, Gabriel.” I touch the material of the dress closest. “These are beautiful.”
“We will be eating there, and I’m not sure who is around, so we may end up talking business.” He grimaces, and I smile.
“It’s who you are,” I say, moving down the line of dresses.
“And you are my communications officer,” he says, coming up behind me, snatching a royal blue dress off the rack, and holding it up. “What do you think?” he says.
The dress had already caught my eye, the colour striking. “I love it. Let me try it on.”
Gabriel hands me the dress and leaves me to try it on. I step into it and shimmy. The hidden zip, once closed, holds the dress in place.
I stare in the mirror. “Wow,” I whisper. No wonder designer dresses go for so much. I’ve only ever had one, and that was when Vince bought it for me as we were attending a colleague’s wedding. It was a who’s-who and a lot of flexing of wallets by all in attendance. I don’t think the bride knew half the guests her new husband had invited.
But this dress. This is in a different league. It hugs all the places you want it to hug and moves freely where it needs to. The saying I feel like a million dollars is probably true.
I look down and notice the shoe boxes and clutch bags under each dress. My eyes and ears pop. Matching sets.
I open the shoe box and stare in awe at the shoes. My size.
Stella would be wetting herself in excitement now. Guilt hits me. I still haven’t let them know what’s going on. Not fully.
When I get back.
I slip on the shoes that hug my feet, even if they should be entered into society as a dangerous weapon. The heels alone could inflict some serious damage.
I take a few unsteady steps. Heels have never been my strong suit, but amazingly enough, after a few steps, I find these are like walking in slippers.
I step into the main bedroom. Gabriel is lying back on the bed, his arms resting behind his head.
“So,” I say, giving a twirl. “What do you think?”
“You look beautiful,” he says, sitting up on the bed.
Butterflies dance in my stomach at his words.
When did our relationship change so much? My boss is now calling me beautiful? Has falling apart in his arms set us on a different path? This is dangerous. Gabriel has already warned me that he is terrible at relationships. Our co-parenting is only going to work if I can keep some distance. I can’t catch feelings for him. That will be a disaster, especially when I fall pregnant, and he moves on.
