Page 62 of Reeling in Love

“Of course. She thinks you both are already in a relationship. She’s even started planning for a couple’s honeymoon since she couldn’t do that with Eva.”

We both laugh. Lily is super-excitable that way. I can totally imagine her scouting through travel packages and figuring out the best deal for all four of us. In fact, I won’t be surprised if she coaxes Eva and Ryan into a second honeymoon with all of us.

It’s a fun thought. A honeymoon with Nora. My wife.

Wow! My wife, Nora! I love how that sounds in my head.

“Well, let me know if you need any help with your presentation,” Alex says, standing up and walking over to the door. “I wish you all the best for your talk with the board and with Nora. I’m sure you’ll ace both.”

As he shuts the door behind him, I cross my fingers and hope what he says comes true.

Chapter 26

Nora: #FirstFight

We’re off to Paris. It’s my first time traveling out of the country and I’m super excited to put it in the mildest form. I’m practically bouncing off the walls, sharing everything with my followers, who, bless their hearts, seem as thrilled as I am—or at least they’re doing a good job faking it.

I’ve got reels of me walking into the airport, photos of me and Gabs sipping coffee in the airport lounge, and clips of us boarding the plane and settling into our seats. I’m documenting everything. Gabs seems a little nervous, which is odd since he’s done this a million times before.

“You okay?” I ask once the plane is in the air. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of flying?”

He smiles and takes my hand. “I’m not. And even if I were, I wouldn’t be today because you’re here with me.”

There’s a flutter in my heart, but I ignore it, reminding myself for the hundredth time that ‘we’ can’t happen. When I return to Boston and he’s still in Paris, it’ll hopefully give us both time and space to untangle our thoughts. All I need is to keep myself and my emotions in check for a few more days. Just a few more days. Can’t be difficult, since we’ve managed to do that the entire week.

“Totally. So what’s the deal with you? You worried about your presentation? I’ve gone through it and it’s pretty good and detailed. You make an excellent case for starting the new business unit. I don’t see any reason for them to not approve it.”

He nods. “Yeah. By the way, since they all know that we’re together, thanks to our social media posts, they want you to join me for the office dinner on Monday after the board meeting. Is that okay with you?”

“Wow! Of course. I had just planned a walk along the Seine for that evening. So yeah, I’m good. Ooh, what should I wear? Will my green dress be suitable for the dinner? I think it should be good enough. What do you say? Or should I buy something?”

“That green dress is beautiful. I think it’ll be perfect. You’ll look perfect in anything you wear.”

My heart skips a beat. Why is he saying things like this? Doesn’t he understand that the romantic path is forbidden to us? If we go down that road, it’ll only end in heartbreak and disaster.

Then, of course, he could simply be playing the part he’s supposed to play. He probably says that to all the women with that same sincere and believable tone. No wonder they all fall for him. To be honest, I don’t blame them anymore. Anyone would.

So I pretend to make light of it.

“Oh, my! Someone’s been practicing their boyfriend-role. You’re upping the game, I must say. I’ll have to think about what cheeky stuff to say to you too, now.”

He turns his head and stares out the window, while I try to calm my racing heart.

For the rest of the flight, neither of us goes into personal comment territory. I help him give the finishing touches to his presentation, then he goes off to sleep while I read my book. I can never sleep on an airplane. We land right after I finish the last chapter. Thank God for that, or else I’d be sitting in the plane a little while longer to finish it. Leaving a book close to the end is torturous.

As soon as I switch on my phone, there’s a slew of beeps. What’s happening? People love me, I know, but so many messages and notifications in such a short time? Is everyone remembering me at the same time? Something’s up.

As we wait for our luggage, I sift through the messages. I’m shocked. How can it be? I turn to Gabriel and I guess he’s seeing it too, for his eyes are wide open, shock written all over them, scrolling through his phone.

TruthSeekerBob has done it again. And this time he’s gone too far. He’s posted that our relationship is fake, claiming that he has proof of it. My sweet followers are defending me, but there are an equal number who are buying what he’s saying. That I haven’t responded yet hasn’t been helping.

“You’re seeing this?” Gabs asks.

“Yeah. It’s blown up beyond proportion with conspiracy theories doing the rounds.”

“How did he know? We have told no one, right?”

I think back. Carla and Mom know, but they would never disclose it.

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