Page 21 of Reeling in Love

My lips are set in a straight line. I want to apologize for Lily’s comments but I don’t, because, well, he deserves them.

We’re out of the door, waiting for the elevator. I see Rick still staring at me. Well, the dress is doing its work, and I’m not sad. He may have dumped me, but I get the last laugh.

From inside the elevator, Lily holds the door for a second to say, “I hope some alien takes you and dumps you in Venus. Maybe then your head will be out of your colon.”

We both burst out laughing.

“Did you see the prick’s face?” Lily chuckles, settling into the driver’s seat of her car.

“Poor thing. We shouldn’t be too hard on him.”

“Of course. I agree. He was the one who was hard just looking at you,” she says, and we both burst into another round of laughter.

Lily drives me to Gabriel’s condo and I post the pic she had taken on my social media. Hashtag Letting-Bygones-Be-Bygones. Hashtag To-The-Future.

I feel good, optimistic, and ready to meet new people for a casual and fun time. Life’s gonna be good from here on out.

Chapter 8

Gabriel: #TheReelRuler

Ryan and I met Alex later in the evening over coffee. We didn’t want to do it in the office to avoid any rumors before Alex agreed to the plan. Thankfully, he did. Having clients in the same city works well for him and his new agenda of prioritizing family over work. I’ve known Alex for a few years now and the change in him since he reconnected with Lily has been monumental, if I put it mildly.

I’d always known him as the go-getter, the workaholic, always working, never enjoying kind of guy. Ryan had told me he was different in college, but I struggled to imagine him as anything other than the staid, barely smiling, handsome man, always impeccably dressed, who spoke in measured sentences. But since Lily and he became a thing, it’s as if he’s morphed into a different man.

A few times, I’ve even seen him dressed in casual clothes. He smiles much more. Works much less than before, though still high compared to most people. But he’s changed for the better.

I wonder if it’s a conscious call from his end or a phase that he’s going through to impress Lily, or if he’s genuinely changed so much.

After our meeting, Ryan goes back to the office. Alex hasn’t brought his car and since Nora and Lily are together, I drive him to my condo, where he can meet Lily once she drops off Nora.

As I drive back, he turns to me, smiles, and says, “What? There’s something on your mind. What is it?”

I give him a quick glance. “Nothing much. It’s good to see this changed person you’ve become. This one is much better company than the previous Alex.”

He chuckles and there’s a weird grin on his face.

I pause and then decide to ask what I’ve been meaning to. “Are you happy, Alex? I mean, is this really you? Don’t mind my asking, but I’m just concerned, that’s all. Is this change for real or is it a phase? Because if it’s a phase, then what becomes of you and Lily once it’s over?”

He continues grinning. Honestly, it’s a little creepy to see him grinning so much.

“Thanks for your concern, bro. I know you mean well. But as far as I can see, this is the real me. The man I’m with Lily is what I was supposed to be all along. She makes me happy. She makes everything better, by just being. You may think this is all sappy shit, but when you fall in love, real love, you’ll know what I mean.”

“I’ve been in love plenty, and never experienced this. Jesus, if love makes a fool of you, then maybe I never want to experience this version of it.”

We’ve reached my condo and I park my car. As we walk to the gate, we see Lily’s car coming up the driveway.

“Never say never, my man,” Alex says, patting me on the shoulder. “It’s a wonderful feeling, one that I would want all my friends to experience, you included. What you’ve felt so far has been lust, longing, friendship. But love. Love transcends it all. It’s like you’re always in a state of ecstasy, feeling complete and satisfied, as if all the problems of the world have been sorted out. We’ll talk when you’re as smitten as I am.”

He walks over to the passenger side of the car as it comes to a stop and holds the door open for Nora to step out.

“Hey, Nora. You look good,” he says, getting inside the car.

I hear Lily shrieking something, but I can’t hear because my faculties are in a stateof shock as I behold Nora in her red dress and black leather stilettos that add a few extra inches to her height and enhance her poised posture.

Wow! Have I seen this dress? I’d definitely have remembered it if I had. The plunging neckline and a daring hemline showcasing her figure in all its beauty. The delicate silver necklace and the dangling earrings that sparkle with every turn of her head. Her flawless makeup with smoky eyes, a hint of blush, and a red lipstick that complements her dress perfectly.

This is so like her—bold and stylish—yet she looks different today. She’s effortlessly glamorous, the perfect blend of elegance and edginess, prepared to make any man she chooses swoon over her and follow her to the end of the world at her slightest whisper.

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