Page 148 of The Bonus

“You need to go home.”

“What I need is to finish our conversation.”

“The conversation is over. I think you’re disgusting being here and saying these things while your poor fiancée is crying at home right now.”

“She is not my fiancée anymore, and I cannot be responsible for other people’s feelings.”

“And that statement right there is exactly why you repulse me,” I whisper angrily. “You will always be the selfish prick that I remember you as.”

“You can’t deny it, Grace. The spark is still there between us.” He steps forward, causing me to step back. His close proximity steals my every brain cell and I find myself speechless as I stare up at him. “Gabriel…”

“Yes, Gracie.” He raises an eyebrow, all playful.

“This is never happening so get it out of your thick head right now.” I turn and march up the stairs, great, now I have to clean my room so the entitled prick can stay over. I look down at him from the top of the stairs. “Tonight is your last night under my roof.”

“We’ll see.”

“Fuck off,” I mouth.

“No,” he mouths back.

Ugh…this man is infuriating, I stomp into my room and close the door. I look around at the chaos.

I’m not even joking; this is the last time.

Gabriel

“Your room is ready,” Grace says as she comes back downstairs.

Your room.

“Thanks.” My eyes hold hers before she snaps them away.

She can’t even look at me.

“Where will you sleep?” I ask.

“In Dom’s room.”

I nod, unsure what to say next.

“Good night.” She disappears up the stairs and leaves me alone. I look around the quiet house. It’s empty from people and yet feels full, as if the love they share is a tangible force.

My phone beeps a text and I glance at the screen, Ariana.

I drop to sit on the couch before opening it.

My heart is broken.

Come back to me.

I love you.

I close my eyes in regret. I imagine Ariana heartbroken back in New York.

Grace’s words come back to me… I’m telling you this with all sincerity, so please listen. Go back and marry Ariana. Don’t let go of something wonderful for an average night seven years ago that meant nothing.

Is that what I’m doing?

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