Page 109 of Enchanting the CEO

If Gabe were home, I'd jump to stop her, but he was with his half brothers this morning.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because he's asking you to move out."

"No, he's, uh... We didn't discuss it," I stammered.

"What do you mean?"

"He simply mentioned that his house was ready soon."

Celia cocked a brow, but she relaxed against the mattress. "And you didn't talk about your next steps?"

"No. He didn't mention it, and I didn't want to bring it up."

She folded her arms over her chest. "I don't get it. Why not?"

"What exactly would I say? 'Hey, Gabe, so as you know, I’m renting this attic. What's going to happen once you move out? Are we taking our relationship to the next level and moving in together, or should I move somewhere else?'" I shook my head. "I can’t ask him that. What if he point-blank says he's not ready to have me move in? Or he just agrees because I ask him, but deep down doesn’t want me there. I don't want to make the same mistake again."

"What are you talking about?" Celia asked. She was using one of the wet cloths I'd put in bowls between us to clean her face.

"After I broke up with Chuck, I kept trying to figure out where I went so wrong, and I think it was when I moved to Boston for him. I can't remember if he actually asked me or if I was the one who suggested it and then made all the plans."

"Diane, this isn't even remotely the same thing." She was removing her socks, wiping the mask off her feet.

"No, it’s even worse. Because I'd been with Chuck for a long time, but Gabe and I are just at the beginning. So no, I won't even suggest moving in together. It needs to come from him; otherwise, I'll live in constant fear that I'm pushing too much. That's if he doesn't just outright shut me down, of course."

Celia was silent for a few moments, then spoke slowly. "Diane, I've known Gabe for quite some time. He is not like Chuck."

"I'm not implying that. Not at all. I know he's not. Chuck was a double-faced bastard." And Gabe is everything I need. I grabbed my cloth, too, and began wiping off my face.

"You and Chuck were together for years, and he never proposed. He never wanted to take the next step. It wasn't about you. It was about him. Gabe isn't like that. He's a decisive man."

"Precisely.” He'd been so decisive with Maddox and their new property and hotel that I couldn't help but think that if he wanted to move in with me, he'd go about it the same way: straight to the point.

"Do you want me to talk to him about it?"

"God no. Why would you even ask that?"

Celia frowned. "I want to help, but I don't know how."

"Well, I made a few appointments to look at apartments on Tuesday. You want to join me?"

"Sure."

"I'd like your opinion. You know this city much better than I do."

She tilted her head, then asked, "What if you move in with me instead? I feel like this is a bad time for you to start looking for a new place, what with starting your business and all that."

Truly, it wasn't the best timing, but I didn't want to be a burden. "No, that's fine. I want my own space, especially since I'm also tutoring from home." I took off my socks too.

"Why don't you just stay here?" she asked.

"I don't want to share this space with someone else." It would feel weird after doing so with Gabe. I didn't want to room with a complete stranger.

Celia looked at me intently. "I still think you should talk to Gabe about it."

"I will, but he’s got an important thing on Tuesday. I’ll talk to him after we look at apartments.” I wiped my feet, then looked for my sandals.

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