Page 57 of Desired By you (Always & Forever #3)
Chapter Forty Eight
Gabriella
Life has returned to some sort of normality.
After Ali’s court case, Brad flew out to LA to sign off on the new club they are opening and stayed out there.
It’s been over a month, and as much as I have missed him, it was the space we both desperately needed.
It’s given me time to think, to rebuild myself.
Brad’s words hit hard. What happened to me wasn’t my fault.
I was taken advantage of and while I’m not quite ready to confront my parents about it, that revelation has helped heal a part of me that I didn’t know needed healing, and I have him to thank for that.
I’ve only had to see Patrick twice in the last month. He has his interview next week and after a conversation with my dad, it sounds like he will land his dream role and then we can end this entire mess.
I whirl the blender, and the sound fills the kitchen. I’ve been for my morning run and I feel ready for the day. Tonight, the magazine Ali works for is having a campaign launch party.
Butterflies flutter in my belly when I think of Brad and if he will be there tonight. Harry mentioned he was coming back to the city sometime this week. Not only do I want to see him for my own selfish reasons, I need to talk to him about their accounts.
The guys noticed money has been missing, and I’ve been going through their paperwork and accounts. I need access to some more information before I can piece it all together, and Harry said Brad was also looking into it.
I turn off the blender, twisting the jug out and turn around to pour it out when Ali stands across the island eating the fruit out of the container I’ve used to make my smoothie.
I scream. “Jesus, Ali, you scared me.”
She chuckles. “Sorry, your blender woke us. We really need to get you a quieter one.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t think you would be able to hear it over all the noise you guys have been making this morning.” My tone is sarcastic.
She grins and pops a strawberry into her mouth. “Oh, you heard that,” she smirks.
“The whole building heard it,” I deadpan.
I continue pouring my smoothie into my glass, stick a straw in and stir.
“Look, I’m so happy for you both, really I am, but could you maybe stay at his tonight or a hotel? I’ll pay.”
“Sure.” Her tone is confused. I worry I’ve offended her, so I continue.
“I just can’t listen to another night of you making that noise when he’s doing god knows what to you.”
She scrunches up her nose. “What noise?”
“You know, the noise.” I eye her.
“No, you’re going to have to help me out here, little G,” she says, folding her arms.
“It’s a kind of wooooo noise and then a little aaahhhh at the end, but your voice goes really deep, like it’s verging on painful.”
“Oh.” She grins. “That noise.”
“Yeah, that noise.”
“By the way, I totally knew what noise you meant. I just wanted to hear you make it.” She chuckles, popping another piece of fruit into her mouth. I roll my eyes and take a sip of my smoothie.
“But I do love it when he does that,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.
“The whole building knows you love it,” I say, slamming my glass down on the counter.
“The whole building knows you love what?.” Harry says, sleepily running a hand through his hair and coming up behind Ali and wraps his arms around her waist, kissing her cheek and a pang of jealously hits me, not of them, but of what they have.
“That thing you do when I make that noise.”
“Oh, you mean when I put my finger in your—”
“Harry! Please,” I yell, far louder than needed. “I don’t need the details. Hearing it is bad enough.”
Ali flattens her mouth and tries to stifle a laugh and Harry grins. “Sounds like you need a finger up…”
I stick my fingers in my ears and begin yelling, “La la la. I can’t hear you.” I pull my fingers out my ears and they are both staring at me like I am some sort of wild animal.
“Yes, well thank you both for scarring me for life,” I tease. “I’m going to get on with my day.”
“Are you bringing Patrick tonight?” Ali asks.
“Ummm, no, I think he’s busy,” I lie. I haven’t even asked, because why would I? This whole fake boyfriend thing is exhausting, but I need him to secure his job and then I can cut ties.
Ali just nods, accepting my lie.
“Oh, can you swing by the club today. We have the files ready that you requested.” Harry asks, taking some fruit and eating it.
“Yeah, sure,” I say.
Harry begins nuzzling Ali’s neck and she giggles. I’m so happy for them and though I tease them, I’m so pleased they found their way to each other.
“I’ll leave you both to it,” I say, scooping up my smoothie and head to my bedroom, a mixture of anxiety and excitement brewing inside me, hoping today is the day I see Brad.
My phone rings out and I have to move the pile of dresses I laid out to try on for tonight’s party. I find it and groan when I see Patrick’s name. I swipe the screen and bring it to my ear.
“Yes,” I say. We don’t even greet each other now.
“I need you to be at a dinner tonight.” His tone is demanding.
“I can’t. I have an event to go to.”
“Well cancel. This is with my parents. They want you to come to dinner.”
I roll my eyes in frustration. “I’m sorry. Can you make it another time? It’s a big deal for Ali. I can’t miss it. Look, tell your parents I’m sorry, and I’ll see if I can get my parents to do one of their dinner parties and invite your parents.
“Okay, deal.”
He hangs up, and I toss the phone on the bed. I don’t think I’ve met a bigger prick in my life. I can’t wait to get shot of him. I’ve been so close to coming clean to my parents. I mean I haven’t worked at the club in months, but every time I picture their disapproving looks, I think better of it.
I flop back on my bed, stare up at the ceiling, and mentally prepare myself for tonight to see him.
My heart races, hands tingling at the thought of being able to see him, touch him, feel his presence.
I’ve missed it all. I scan my room and the red dress from LA hangs over my door I had a bold idea I could wear it tonight.
I know Brad loves it, but I think I need something more low key.
I don’t want to draw attention and cause any chaos tonight.