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“The sprinkler system malfunctioned,” I say. “The entire apartment was underwater. Everything is ruined.”
They both stare at me open-mouthed.
“Where are you staying?” Stella asks.
“That’s the thing. Gabriel invited me to move in with him.”
“He what?” Stella shrieks, bringing stares from the nearby tables.
“Sorry,” she says, her voice more restrained. “What do you mean, you’ve moved in with Gabriel? We want details and fast.”
I update them on the flood, and how Gabriel came with me to survey the damage.
“Maintenance was going to put me up in a hotel. Gabriel wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted I move into one of his spare rooms.”
“I’m sure he did,” Stella says, waggling her eyebrows.
“It’s not like that. Gabriel knows I like to cook. He knows if I stay in a hotel, I’ll be forced to eat takeaways. His apartment is triple the size I was renting from him and is spread over two floors. The bedroom he’s put me up in is more like a hotel suite. I will hardly have to see him.”
My friends stare at me wide-eyed. I haven’t told them about Gabriel and my dinner arrangement, mainly for this reason. I don’t want them to jump to any conclusions. It’s already a strange set-up. I don’t need them adding to it.
“So, you’re telling us you’re now living under the same roof as your boss?” Stella says.
“Technically, they were already living under the same roof,” Nat interjects, making me chuckle.
“True —but she’s now sharing living space with her sexy boss.”
“Boss, being the operative word,” I say firmly. “Before you get any romantic ideas about Gabriel and me. We don’t see each other that way. He’s my boss, and he’s five years younger than me.”
“Ooh, toy boy.” Stella chuckles. “Think of the stamina.”
Nat swats Stella on the arm, making her yelp playfully.
“Come on, you’d have to be blind or a nun not to notice how hot he is. Not to mention, he’s the identical and very single twin of the man voted The City’s Most Eligible Bachelor. Voted and agreed by the majority of women in our fine city.”
I groan, sounding like Gabriel when Caleb was voted the city’s most eligible bachelor for the second year running.
“Stella’s right. He is gorgeous, and you are now single,” Nat says.
“Don’t you start,” I say, turning to Nat. “You’re supposed to be the sensible one. It’s not happening, ladies. He’s my boss. I’m sorry to disappoint you both, but we’re friends and colleagues.”
Stella and Nat share a look, making me sigh. “Whatever I say, you’re not going to believe me, are you?”
“It’s not that.” It’s Nat who speaks, surprising me. “It’s just... he’s a friend who left his night out to track you down when he knew you were upset. He offered you his empty apartment at a ridiculously low rent when you had nowhere else to go. Now he has you move in with him when your apartment floods. Are you sure he sees you as just a friend?”
“Stop,” I say. The words come out harsher than I expect. “I know you mean well, but you need to stop reading into this. That’s just who Gabriel is. He’s loyal to his friends,” I tell them, knowing it sounds strange, but it’s the truth. They haven’t been privy to this side of him. It’s only recently I’ve come to witness it.
“You have to admit, he is gorgeous. Can you blame us, now you’re single? You’d make a beautiful couple, just imagine the babies you’d make,” Nat continues, before her hand flies to her mouth. “Oh, Leah, I’m so sorry, that was completely thoughtless of me. I wasn’t thinking.” Nat’s eyes fill with tears, and it’s my turn to grip her hand.
“Hey, don’t worry. Since when do we tread on eggshells around one another?” I ask.
At that moment, our food arrives, acting as the perfect distraction for everyone.
“Gabriel got an eyeful of my housewarming present,” I tell them.
There is a clatter of knives and forks as they hit their plates. Stella starts choking, making Nat slap her hard on the back.
“What?” She chokes, still gasping for air, and her face flushes.
