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“That would be the one.”
“Consider it done. And Gabe, I’m happy for you.”
“It’s not?—”
“Hey, it’s me you’re talking to remember? It’s okay to like her.”
“That’s not our agreement.” I bite my cheek when I realise what I’ve just said.
There’s silence on the other end of the line. “It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, my friend.”
“Maybe not, but it’s how she wants it, and who am I to argue?”
“But you want more?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m set in my ways, I prefer solitude, and apparently, I’m terrible at relationships, according to every woman I’ve ever dated. I’m not prepared to lose her friendship. I refuse to take that risk.”
“Have you considered that, until now, you just haven’t met the right woman. If you want my advice?”
“Always,” I say.
A sad sigh comes down the phone. “Don’t overthink it. Go with the flow. Life might surprise you. Remember, no regrets.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? Are you agreeing with me, Gabriel Frazer? That has to be a first. No, maybe a second. Shit, I’ve got to go. His Highness is on the other line. I’ll place the order for what you’ll need. Give me a week or two. Things are crazy here, as you’d know if you ever read your damned emails.”
“Silent partner,” I say.
A laugh comes over the line. “Yeah, until you get a brainwave for a new design or game, then you blow up my machine. Oh the accessibility software you wanted is in beta—so far, so good. Anyway, got to go.”
Pen hangs up.
I click on to the gaming server. FosterDiamond18 is on. He’s eighteen and colour-blind. We were exchanging chat when he told me how much he struggled with some games. I spoke to Pen, and now... Beta testing... wow... Penelope doesn’t hang around.
I pick up my controller and send out greetings.
Time to play and take my mind off Leah stretched out and naked in my bath.
CHAPTER 30
LEAH
The apartment downstairs is complete. The furniture has arrived, and the interior designer has been staging the place, but there’s been no talk of me moving out. We’ve fallen into a comfortable routine. We work, eat, game, exercise. We have kept our private relationship out of the office, and it appears no one suspects, likely because Gabriel and I have always been in close contact daily.
“Pack a bag,” Gabriel says the minute I walk through the door.
“What? Gabriel, it’s Friday night.” I kick off my shoes and place them on the rack in the cupboard near the door.
“It is, and it’s coming up to that time. I heard your alarm go off. I thought we’d go away for the weekend.”
I freeze on the spot. What is Gabriel doing? I must admit, he’s been amazing over the past two weeks since my period. He’s encouraged me to go to the gym, has kept me company. I admit, I haven’t had this much fun with anyone other than the girls in a long time. Looking back, mine and Vince’s relationship had gone stale long ago. I’d thrown myself into my work and spent more and more time with the girls. He’d done the same. We’d been stuck in a rut. It’s unsurprising that one of us left.
“I don’t understand?”
Gabriel looks at me with his usual patient glare. “I’ve been doing my research. Being in a relaxed environment is more conducive to successful insemination.” He starts off with facts and figures, and I suppress the laugh that bubbles up in my chest. This man is a walking fact machine. He does nothing by half. My lower stomach flips, the muscles clenching as I think about what’s coming.
“The private jet is waiting. We’re spending the weekend in Monaco.”
