Page 20 of Forever Mine

I should have turned around when she came in the first time, then I’d have had an opportunity to prepare myself. But right now? At this moment? I’m frozen. The woman I haven’t stopped thinking about since the moment she drove away from me is here. And I’m her boss.

“Monica,” I stammer, staring at her. I see the recognition in her eyes moments before a look of terror, and pleading crosses them. I clear my throat and walk to her, holding out my hand in greeting. “I’m Gabriel. The new broker.”

Monica’s hand shakes slightly as she places her hand in mine.

“Hello,” she says softly.

“Please, take a seat,” I tell her before turning to go back to my laptop. I make myself look busy for a moment so I can school my expression and control my thoughts. I’m fucking cursed with women. Colorado Springs isn’t that big, but she had to work here? The city has at least five hundred thousand residents. Tons of real estate offices. Fucking hell.

I clear my throat again and shuffle papers around. I can’t remember what I planned for this meeting. An ice breaker, some question-and-answer stuff, basic shit. I can’t remember a damn thing. I just want to get Monica alone so I can talk to her. See if she’s okay. See if she hasn’t stopped thinking about the kiss as I have. Fuck.

My phone rings with a text, and I sigh with relief when I see it’s my mom asking me to call her.

“Everyone, I’m going to make this quick. I have something at home I need to deal with,” I say, looking up from my phone. I don’t miss a look of hurt crossing Monica’s face before she averts her eyes. Fuck. She thinks I have someone at home. “My mother needs my help with something. Probably a technical thing she and mypaican’t figure out.”

Everyone chuckles except for Monica. She’s as thrown as I am.

“I’ve been a realtor for a couple years after completing my time in the Army. I love this area and love what Meghan has done with this office. I don’t want to ruffle any feathers. I hope to continue her course with all of you. Please don’t hesitate to come to me with any questions or concerns,” I tell the realtors.

“What doespaimean?” a young blonde woman near the back asks with her hand raised.

“It means father in Portuguese.”

“Are you from Portugal?” she asks with a smile, and I hear Monica snort.

“No, Brazil.”

“How were you in the Army if you’re from Brazil?”

“My parents came here when I was two. I’m an American citizen, but even if I weren’t, a non-citizen can be in the United States military as long as they’re a permanent resident,” I explain. “Any other questions?”

No one else raises a hand, so I end the meeting and look down at my phone quickly before looking back up. Monica has zipped out of the room before I can quietly ask her to stay.

“That was one hell of a quick introduction, Gabriel. I figured you’d make us sit through more than that,” Meghan says as she rests her hand on her protruding stomach.

“I need to go help my mama. I had thought about doing more team-building activities but figured y’all would love it if I didn’t,” I confess.

“Y’all?” Meghan comments with an eyebrow raised.

“Texas.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t know that. You should talk to Monica. She’s from Texas, too,” Meghan says. My breath must catch because her eyes narrow. “You two know each other?”

I’m at a loss for words. Meghan is technically not employed by Vivid Realty anymore, our parent company. I can’t decide if I should be honest or make something up.

“Gabriel, something obviously transpired between you two. I’ve never seen Monica so shuttered before. She’s typically the life of every meeting,” Meghan tells me.

“She came in here twenty minutes early, and I asked her to leave. I don’t think I came across well,” I admit. Meghan studies me before shaking her head.

“That’s not all, is there?”

“No.”

“Am I going to like this?”

“I’m not sure. Technically you don’t work here anymore, so …” I trail off.

“True. Then give me the gossip,” Meghan announces before grabbing a chair, sitting down, and slipping off her heels. “Don’t judge me. Wearing heels while pregnant should be illegal.”

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