Page 35 of Reeling in Love

Thankfully, Eva is out for some meetings and Lily is busy at her dance studio, so I don’t have to deal with any pestering questions from anyone who knows me too well and will know that something is going on in this dirty brain of mine.

I take a cab back to Gabs’ condo in the evening. He must’ve already left for his retreat. It’s weird, but though most of them live in Boston, they’ve still decided that everyone in the Executive Team of this new office will stay at some hotel. Good for me, though. I’m not sure I can trust myself around him today.

I’m sitting on the couch, eating some Chinese and reading a book on my Kindle, when I hear my phone ping. An unknown number.

“Hi. Clark here. From the bar.”

“Hey. How did the surgery go?”

“It was good. And I’m glad you remembered.”

I don’t feel like continuing the conversation right now. Rather, I can’t understand what to talk to him about. Maybe I need alcohol in my system to get my brain whirring. I pick up my book when the screen lights up again. This time it’s Gabs. I smile as I read his message.

“How was your day? I’m bored to death. Major disconnect between the local team and the people from Paris.”

“You’re in the perfect place, then. To be the link or the bridge. My day was fine. By the way, Clark from the bar just messaged me.”

A message from Clark pops up again. “Dinner tomorrow? At Tim’s Italy? At, say 7?”

I don’t know what to reply. Normally I’d ask Gabs, but… well, I can ask him.

Gabs: “Glad at least one of us had a ‘fine’ day. Bridge! Hah! What does Clark want? That lunch date? You should go.”

“Actually dinner. I’ll say yes then. And I think you can really act as the bridge there. Don’t sell yourself short.”

To Clark, I reply: “Sure. See you there at 7.” He immediately responds with a thumbs-up.

Gabs: “The local team thinks I’m an entitled ass and the Paris team thinks I’m inexperienced. None of them trust me or respect my views.”

“Yet! They don’t respect your views, YET. Show them. Be confident and, most importantly, trust your ideas. You have good ones. Believe in yourself the way I believe in you.”

I type “I miss you,” and then delete it before sending. I write it often to him, but somehow I feel more conscious now.

I text him a hugging emoji before flicking the phone on the couch and taking a few deep breaths. Jesus! If my heart goes on an overdrive in just texting him, I’m going to get a heart attack soon. I need to get a hold of myself. Maybe meeting up with Clark will put an end to these stupid feelings. Maybe Clark can make me forget that kiss.

The screen lights up again.

“You have fun tomorrow. And thanks, Nora. I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out.”

As I press send, I remember the day of our school elections. The gymnasium was packed with students, all buzzing with excitement. Banners and posters adorned the walls, and the air was thick with the promise of change. Gabs was running for student council president, and I was his campaign manager.

I found him backstage, pacing nervously. His usually confident demeanor was replaced by uncertainty, his shoulders were tense, and his hands were clenched into fists.

“Gabs,” I called out, stepping closer. He looked up, his eyes filled with doubt.

“I don’t know if I can do this, Nora,” he confessed, his voice shaky. “What if I mess up? What if they don’t believe in me?”

I placed a hand on his arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Listen to me. You’ve got this. You have great ideas. They will believe you if you have faith in yourself.”

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “But what if I forget my speech? What if I freeze?”

I shook my head, smiling warmly. “You won’t. You’re Gabriel, the guy who stands up for what’s right, who always has everyone’s back. Just speak from your heart. Believe in yourself the way I believe in you.”

He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Nora.”

“You’ll never have to find out,” I replied, my voice steady and sure. “Now go out there and show them what’s what.”

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