Page 51 of Forbidden Sins

“Ellie.”

“Yeah?” she said, keeping herself detached.

“I, uh, just wanted to ask you if you wanted to get together for dinner. So we could talk.”

Picturing the last meal she’d shared with her father, she shook her head. “I don’t think so, Dad,” she told him.

“Please, dear. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I’ve treated you. I want the opportunity to apologize to you in person.”

“Apologize?”

“Yes. I was wrong. All along. I know I’ve probably blown every opportunity we’ve had to build a relationship, but I would like to try.”

“What about Gabe?”

“I don’t know. He quit that day. I haven’t heard from him.”

“He quit?” Gabe’s job was everything to him. And he’d quit because of her.

“Yes, he walked out shortly after we spoke last.”

Ellie paused. “Do you mean what you said? About wanting to start over?”

“Yes. Every word.”

“Dad,” she tested the word, gingerly. “If you’re being honest with me, and you want us to try again, then we have a lot of work to do. And this is our last chance. If it doesn’t work, that’s it.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Okay, I’ll meet you for dinner tomorrow night.” She hung up the phone, cautiously optimistic about her upcoming meeting with her father, and she felt part of the burden and misery lift from her. She had to make things right with Gabe. Whether that meant being with him or cutting ties, it had to be done. If her father could swallow his pride and contact her, she could no doubt do the same.

As Ellie stood, with a newfound vigor and resolve, the crumbs from her first cinnamon bun fell from her sweatshirt to the floor. She was on her way to her room when there was a knock—no, a pounding—on the door.Oh God, what now?She sighed.When it rains, it fucking pours.She went to the door, part of her hoping to see Gabe, but she was left confused and—truthfully—a little scared when she saw Alana on the other side. She stepped back, unsure whether or not she wanted to answer.

“Ellie,” she called. “I know you’re in there, ignoring me. And that’s fine. It’s your right. But please let me in. I’d like to talk to you.”

Ellie opened the door and faced Alana. She straightened her shoulders, at least trying to make herself feel confident next to the gorgeous, poised woman in front of her. “You sure you don’t want to hurt me?” she asked, recalling Alana’s words during their last conversation. “Like I hurt him.”

Alana shook her head. Her eyes looked sad. Alana looked unguarded. “That’s all big talk. I just want to be real here with you.” She flashed a sad, tight-lipped smile. “Plus, I don’t want to hurt a person so dear to my best friend.”

Ellie moved out of the way, and gestured for Alana to enter her apartment. Alana came in and looked around. If she noticed, or minded, the clutter that Ellie had allowed to accumulate in the past few days, she gave no indication.

“How is he?”

“He doesn’t look great.” Alana looked her up and down. “And neither do you.”

“About as good as I feel.”

“I thought he’d made a mistake—in seeing you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, I thought you were after his—all of our money. Or that you were using him to get back at your dad.”

“That’s what I told him, when I saw how much his career had already suffered because of me.”

“Is it true? You had ulterior motives for being with him,”

“No. I said it out of anger, and I know I hurt him. It’s one of my biggest regrets in my life.” Ellie felt her eyes fill up when she remembered how Gabe had looked at her when he gave her back her ring, for a second time.

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