Page 50 of Forever Mine

Me: I was raised with it engrained in my brain to help the less fortunate. In this case, Monica is obviously in need of assistance.

Tommy: Can I be the best man at your wedding?

Me: DUDE

Tommy: Calling it now. You’re marrying this chick.

Me: Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now. I’d like to date her first.

Tommy: You fucked her yet?

Me: That’s none of your business.

Tommy: Oh, so no, then.

Me: You infuriate me.

Tommy: Nah. You love me. I’m here if you need anything.

Me: Will do.

The conversation with Tommy left an unsettled feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. I really am putting myself out there for Monica. Something I promised myself I’d never do again after Courtney cheated on me. And I certainly never thought I’d fall for someone more than a decade younger than me. But I don’t even know what her long-term plans are. Does she want kids? Does she even want to be in a relationship? What about marriage? Is she planning on staying in Colorado?

I’ve focused so much on the attraction aspect that I haven’t looked to see if we’re even compatible. I need to spend more time getting to know Monica before throwing all my eggs in her basket.

Maybe I’m blowing this all out of proportion. Courtney did such a number on me that I’m fearful of trusting my instincts. My heart is screaming at me to go all in with Monica. That I can trust her. Love her. Give her the fucking world.

As I plug my phone in to charge, Monica rolls over and plasters herself to my side. Throwing a leg over my hips, she buries her nose in my neck, taking a big inhale and sighing contently. That unsettled feeling is gone. I’ve never felt so at peace, like this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. With Monica in my arms. In my home.

Fucking hell.

I wake up to an empty bed, and I’m much more disappointed than I thought I’d be to have Monica out of my arms. After using the bathroom and brushing my teeth, I throw on sweatpants and a t-shirt before following the sounds into the guest bedroom. Monica is on the bed, surrounded by all the clothes I bought for her, with a furrowed expression.

“What’s going on,querida?” I ask, my voice raspy from sleep.

“This is too much, Gabriel. It’s all just too much,” she says, and I can hear the tremble in her voice.

“What is too much?”

“This.You! My life! I’m overwhelmed, and I don’t know how to manage anything right now. I need to get to work, but I don’t want to go. I should probably go over to my apartment and see if there’s anything there that can be salvaged, but I don’t want to do that either. This is all a mess!” she cries.

I climb on the bed and take her in my arms. She cries softly against my chest momentarily before straightening and scampering out of my embrace. Monica begins frantically shoving the new clothes into the shipping boxes they came in.

“I’m sorry, Gabriel. I can’t stay here. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but it’s just confusing me more. I need to clear my head, and I can’t do that with you in my space. I’m sorry,” she says.

I concentrate on my breathing as I try to formulate a response. “But, where will you go?”

“Emily has a guest room. So I’m going to stay with her. Liam already got a copy of my car key made and picked up my car from the apartment, and thankfully it wasn’t damaged at all. Nate has a spare laptop, so I’m going to work from their house this week.”

“Who are Liam and Nate?” I say carefully.

Monica looks at me with confusion written across her face.

“Huh?”

“Querida. Who the fuck are Liam and Nate?” I say deeply. I can feel my anger simmering underneath the surface.

“Nate is Emily’s husband, and Liam is one of their best friends. He’s married to Liv, Nate’s sister,” she says quietly. I close my eyes in relief. For a brief moment, I thought Monica had more men in her life. More guys that might come between us. Obviously, I’m still struggling with the concept of monogamy after Courtney. I don’t have a right to expect faithfulness from Monica since we aren’t technically together. But to me, she’s mine.

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