Page 146 of The Bonus

“I…” I shrug, unsure what to say. “No.”

“I came looking for you because I never…” His eyes search mine. “I would think of you at strange times and random places. For no reason at all you would pop into my head.”

“Gabriel…” I cut him off.

“Let me finish,” he snaps. He clasps his hands together as if steeling himself. “I came to find you to put to bed this strange…” He frowns as he tries to articulate himself, “…unfinished feeling I have between us.”

“It doesn’t…”

“I thought you would be married and happy and I could get the closure I needed and start my new life.”

I stare at him, horrified.

“But it backfired because as soon as I saw you…” he pauses, “…I knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That I was marrying the wrong woman.”

What the fuck is happening right now?

“And then I found out about the children… And I was angry. But…”

“Stop.”

“We can make this…”

“Stop it,” I snap as I jump out of my chair. “What are you saying?”

“I broke up with Ariana because I want to be a father to my children and because…I can’t see them without…” He pauses.

“Without what?”

“Without seeing you. How can I be married to someone else while knowing that I still have feelings for you?”

This man is the living end.

“What?” I spit angrily. “You don’t have feelings for me. You never did then, why the hell would you now?”

“You’re angry.”

“I’m not angry,” I fire back. “I’m disgusted. Poor Ariana. You’re a fucking douche bag. That poor girl is three weeks out from her wedding and you are breaking up with her for a cheap fuck you had on your desk seven years ago.”

“It was never a cheap fuck,” he growls as he begins to lose his temper. “You know damn well it wasn’t.”

“You’re pathetic.” I storm inside.

“How am I pathetic?” He’s hot on my heels.

“You have cold feet and are looking for an excuse to get out of the wedding.” A gust of wind whips around the house. “Close the door,” I snap. “Do not bring me into this, you’re as bad as your mother.”

“Cold feet have nothing to do with this.” He shuts the door. “You asked me why my mother is blaming you and I’m telling you why. I never said that I’m in any position to pursue something with you right now, just stating the facts as to what’s gone on in my life this week.”

“Don’t bother ever pursuing something with me, Gabriel.” I fume as I poke him hard in the chest. “Go back to New York. Man up and marry Ariana.”

“I don’t want Ariana. I want you.”

“Tough shit,” I whisper angrily. “I want nothing to do with you. Apart from my babies, that night was a big mistake.”

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