Page 44 of Embracing Love

Chapter 20

He felt like taking time out and so Gabriel left the dinner guests soon after dinner and wandered out into the hotel lobby. The quiet tranquility of the empty space soothed his overwrought nerves. He took one look at the stuffed and oversized sofas and sank into them gratefully. Russell and Michael talked business nearly all the time. It was too much, listening to it through three courses.

He’d arrived last night and had spent a full day in his hotel room dealing with business matters. Now the evening had gone on too long…pleasant though it was, but his jet lag and tiredness were beginning to catch up on him.

And Tanya was busy talking to her group of friends. If only they could have both ended up at the same table. He’d have had a wonderful evening. It hadn’t been bad; it just could have been a whole lot better. They seemed to be getting on so easily, and he’d been intrigued by the news of her marriage and divorce. She would never had revealed this information had they been at work. Being in a social environment such as this eased barriers.

He sensed she was still wary, but that she had begun to warm towards him. It appeared that she was single—but since she hadn’t confirmed or denied anything, he was none the wiser. The only thing he knew with certainty was that she was divorced. At least it was something to go on.

He would have all day tomorrow to spend with Michael and Russell, and most of it would be business talk no doubt, with many rounds of golf thrown in but he hoped to catch up with Tanya through the day.

They needed to continue their conversation, and it would at least give him a chance to gauge her feelings.

Tonight had been a good opportunity, but he could hardly go looking around for her again. He didn’t want it to be such an obvious chase.

He was drawn to her, had been from the beginning, but the more he got to know her, the more time he wanted to spend with her.

She grounded him. And he’d never before had a woman who had that effect on him.

“I thought you’d gone to bed.” Tanya said in surprise when she found him sitting alone in the hotel lobby.

“It was getting very hot and noisy in there. It seemed a good time to leave without being noticed.”

“Oh,” she had hoped they could continue where they had left off. Dinner had been long and drawn out, and without him.

“I’ve heard that the gardens here are amazing.” He seemed to suddenly wake up, the tiredness was still sketched on his face but his voice had perked up.

“You won’t see much in the dark.” She hoped he wasn’t going to suggest a walk out there,

“I’ve read that they have a beautiful lit up fountain.”

“You’ve read?”

“I checked the hotel’s website and read the reviews.” He seemed very thorough in his process, she thought, and watched as he got up. His eyes drank in her appearance from top to bottom and he almost smiled.

He took a step closer to her and put his hands into his pockets. “Come with me.” He nodded towards the doors to the hotel.

She hesitated, but only briefly. “Okay.” They set off, walking silently for a few moments.

The air was fragrant, heady almost, and the night dark. With Gabriel beside her, and darkness enveloping them, Tanya felt at ease.

“It is beautiful,” he said, looking around at the pathways lit up by lampposts placed far enough apart, that the glare of light wasn’t intrusive, but soft and subtle.

“Are you nervous about your presentation?” he asked.

“No,” she said, then, “Yes,” then, “I’m not sure. It’s been a while since I did one of these.”

“You’ll be fine. After all, you’ll be presenting to people you know.”

“True. Still, it has been a while, and I feel rusty. I’m out of practice. And you and Russell will be there.”

“You’re not nervous on account of us are you?” he seemed surprised by this.

She didn’t answer.

“I have a feeling you’re going to be fine. We don’t bite. I promise.”

“Thank you for your confidence.”

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