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The oven dings.
I serve myself a plate as Gabriel is still not home. This is the first time we haven’t eaten together in over a week, and I find I miss him.
Gabriel wanders in, just as I’m finishing up.
“Hey,” I say. “Are you ready for dinner?”
His hair is still wet from the swimming pool, messy where he’s run his fingers through it.
“I’ll just grab a shower,” he says. I know Gabriel prefers to shower when he gets home, even though there are showers by the pool. He’ll usually rinse but then come upstairs.
He disappears without looking at me, and my heart sinks. Is he still annoyed about Caleb? I don’t have any control over his brother’s actions, but then again, he bought me this beautiful bracelet. Does he regret what we did? Is he now finding it awkward? Was his mention of green lentils his way of telling me he was finding it strange? I sigh. There’s no closing the gate now the horse has bolted. We will just have to find our new norm. He’s the one who told me professionalism is a mindset.
Gabriel returns in record time and picks up the plate I’ve dished out.
“Thanks,” he says, making his way to the table.
“You’re welcome, and thank you for the bracelet.”
Gabriel pauses for a split second before lowering his plate to the table.
“No problem. I hope you like it,” he says, still not looking at me.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, the fingers of my opposite hand touching it. “You have great taste.”
Gabriel says nothing. He just continues to eat his food.
“Okay then,” I say after a while. “I’ll finish clearing up and disappear,” I say the last part, almost to myself.
There’s a clatter as Gabriel drops his cutlery onto his plate.
“Leah.”
I stop and turn to face him.
“I’m sorry. It’s just today...”
I see the confusion and angst on his face and make my way towards him, pulling out a chair and sitting in my usual spot.
“Talk to me,” I say. “Do you regret it?” The words catch in my throat.
I jump when Gabriel’s hand clasps mine, and he squeezes. “Hell no,” he says, and my shoulders sag in relief. “Quite the opposite.”
“Then what?”
He lets out a dry laugh and pats my hand, adding to my confusion.
“You told me why you were afraid to let yourself go.” His eyes lock with mine. “All I can think about is you.”
My cheeks flare at his words, my body clenching in anticipation.
“When Caleb turned up. I didn’t react very well. I realised it should have been me buying you flowers, not my bloody twin.”
I flip my hand, and interlink our fingers, as relief floods my system. A small moan escapes my lips when his thumb rubs circles on my palm.
I look up to find Gabriel staring at me, his pupils dilated. There’s no question about his lack of regret. My body grows hot and feverish under his gaze until I’m squirming in my seat.
Gabriel rises, coaxing me to my feet, kicking my chair out of the way. He manoeuvres me backwards until my ass hits the side of the glass table.
