Page 60 of Reeling in Love

“You need to be consistent,” I tell him repeatedly. “Regular posting keeps you in your audience’s mind. Use visuals—photos, videos, infographics—they grab attention. The best part is that you’re already good at designing. Engage with your followers; respond to comments and messages. Build a community, not just a following.”

“That’s the problem, Nora. I’m not consistent. With anything. I like to wing it and it’s worked for me so far.”

I close my eyes and count to ten. He’s Carla’s boyfriend. I need to be polite. “I understand,” I finally reply. “But if you want to do better at digital marketing, you have to be consistent.”

“And if I spend so much time on it, when’ll I do my work?”

“That’s the thing, Kevin. This is part of your work, an integral part of your business, which will help you get more clients. It’s not that big a deal. You can plan your posts over the weekend and schedule them for the week. Or keep them in drafts so all you have to do later is click and post. A bit of pre-planning is all that’s required.”

“You’re good at it, right? Can you do it for me? I mean, you’re always on social media in any case, right?” he says, shutting down his system with a smirk on his stupid-ass face.

Is he serious? I look at his face and realize he is.

“I could, but even if I had time, I don’t think you’ll be able to afford me right now. Best is to do it yourself. Actually, you can get a lot of these tips if you follow me or follow my blog.” I smile and reply as politely as I can. The nerve of this dude. I’m trying to help him and he’s trying to offload his work on me!

I don’t understand what Carla sees in him. But as Mom said, she has to figure that out for herself.

I think the women in my family—Mom, Carla, me—can’t see what or who is best for us. We’re somehow attracted to the wrong people, the ones who will take us down. Dad was like that. Even before he physically hurt Mom, he never let her do anything she wanted. Never even let her work. Rick was the same for me as Kevin is for Carla—not good.

And Gabs, well, he doesn’t even count, because that relationship is sacrosanct. What happened last night is the one memory I can carry of an ephemeral, fleeting sense of what a relationship with him can be. And while it was good, I can’t risk it.

Shortly afterward, Kevin and Carla leave to do some grocery shopping for the week while I sit down with Mom.

“So you really thought Dad was the one for you? All those years?”

She nods. “I loved him. I think in his own way he loved me too, at least when we got married. Things began changing, but I was too blind to see it, and when I did, it was too late. I know you hated me for not standing up to him. I know you were ashamed of me. I…”

I slide down to the floor next to her feet and hold her hand. “I didn’t hate you. And I was never ashamed of you. I hated him. All I wanted was for you to break free because I knew you’d be happier without him. That’s all. If I ever made you feel like I was ashamed of you, I’m sorry.”

She looks down at my face, tears rolling down her cheeks. “You were always so strong, Nora. You had a mind of your own. Stubborn and determined. I wasn’t like that. I was broken. He broke me. Completely. I had no friends, no qualification, no means to take care of two young girls. How could I leave him? How could I take care of both of you?”

“You stayed for us? We could’ve worked, Mom. You should’ve told us. Is that why you stayed with him till Carla finished her schooling and I was in grad school? Dear God!”

I stand up and sit on the handrest of the couch, hugging her, tears rolling down my cheeks as well. “I’m so sorry for judging you instead of understanding you. I was so quick to shout at you and tell you what you should do instead of listening to you. I judged you when I should’ve supported you and helped you free yourself. What a terrible daughter I’ve been. I’m so sorry, Mom.”

She hugs me tighter. “Everyone understands in their own time, Nora. I know you wanted what was best for me. And I know your father and my relationship hurt you in more ways than one. But I was glad you had Gabriel. It was he who introduced me to my lawyer and held my hand during the divorce proceedings. She pulls back and looks into my eyes. “He even called me yesterday and told me I should talk to you about all this. He kinda made me promise. In fact, I also took up the cooking classes on his insistence.”

“Really? I didn’t know. He never told me. You know what, you should open your own restaurant. You cook so well. I can help you with the marketing and stuff and Carla can help with part of the operations. Gabs and I have a common friend who can help with the financing bit.”

Surprisingly, she nods. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it. Gabriel suggested that last year, but I wasn’t sure. Now, maybe I will.” She smiles and squeezes my hand. “He’s a good man, that one. Don’t lose him.”

I nod. “I won’t.”

And I mean it. I won’t do anything to lose the one constant in my life, the positive force that has helped me cross over all roadblocks. Not just me, but Mom as well, even when I wasn’t there for her.

A new respect and love swell up in my chest for Gabs. I might’ve failed her as a daughter, but he stepped up and filled that hole, holding her hand and guiding her when she needed it the most. How can I let my stupid emotions get the better of me and affect our friendship in any way? I’ll protect him as he has protected me and my family.

Gabs is back before Carla and Kevin and we leave without meeting them. Mom hugs him as if he were her son, or maybe I see it differently because of the new information. He laughs and makes her laugh, puts on some music on his phone, and does a quick one-minute dance routine with her, before bidding her goodbye.

Chapter 25

Gabriel: #Friend-Zoned

Nora’s behavior has changed since we’ve returned from home. I’m not sure if it’s the ‘good’ change or the ‘bad’. We’ve not had sex again, nowhere close to it. We haven’t even kissed. Has it been on my mind? Hell yes! Every time I see her. But I don’t want to initiate the ‘stupid act’ again. It’s not worth jeopardizing our friendship over.

She asked me about the lawyer I’d suggested to her mom for her divorce, questioning why I never told her. I mean, what was there to tell? Maybe she’s upset over that. On top of all this, work’s been crazy. All week, I’ve been preparing for the presentation scheduled for the coming week in Paris and it’s taking everything from me. I spend all my time on that and helping Alex and my MooreGames team in the transition. Almost all my time, except when I’m thinking about Nora. But yeah, most of my time is devoted to it.

In the evenings, Nora has been guiding and helping me understand social media, search engine optimizations, and how to use social media insights and keyword research tools to understand what my audience is searching for and engaging with.

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