Page 58 of Embracing Love

Chapter 24

Golf wasn’t his sport and he could see it wasn’t Ethan’s either. So after a couple of rounds they left Michael and Russell to play while he and Ethan disappeared to the gym.

But that still wasn’t enough for Gabriel to work off the knot in his shoulders. Or the tension in his neck.

When the gym wasn’t enough, he’d gone for a long swim afterwards.

Back in his room he showered and slowly got ready for the evening dinner. He felt obliged to attend even though he really didn’t want to. Michael had indicated that it would be a more relaxed affair now that the presentations were over.

He couldn’t see how he’d get to relax much, not after having seen Tanya with that guy earlier. As if he didn’t already have a hard time trusting women.

He thought they had something. The way she’d let him hold her close yesterday, and then the kiss they had shared, a kiss so subtle he wasn’t sure it had actually happened, but it had. His hopes had been confirmed.

He knew she felt something for him. The attraction had started for him way back, but he’d never been certain about Tanya.

Until last night, by the fountain.

He’d gone to bed thinking of her, dreaming of her, needing to feel her, wanting her beside him. He’d been eager to attend her presentation not only because he knew how much it meant to her, but to gauge her reaction in the cold light of a new day.

She’d been nervous, slightly off, he could tell, at the start of it but she’d weathered it just fine. Until her accidental slip showing the man he presumed must have been her ex.

And now he was as unsure as ever. Seeing her with that guy she worked with had left his blood curdling.

She was clearly lonely and desperate and, he was certain, she was still hung up on her ex.

Why was it that the women he fell for always seem to want someone else? He’d been careful with women but meeting Tanya had somehow lowered his guard.

She very nearly had him too. How many men did this woman have on the side? This evening he’d gone for a more casual look, but he still looked smart. Not that it mattered. He really didn’t want to go. Except that he had to.

He shook his head when he saw his reflection in the mirror—his hair was getting long and felt thicker than usual. A haircut would have been a good idea. But suddenly he wasn’t so bothered about looking good for anyone. And he didn’t care whether he saw her or not.

The cocktail reception had moved outside as the doors along the banqueting hall pulled back and opened onto the terrace overlooking the beautiful lush green gardens. A large barbeque area at one side sizzled with the spit and hiss of meat being cooked. The smoky, tangy aroma filled the air and floated down to him.

“Michael says they’re trying something different this year,” commented Russell, as Gabriel joined the group with a bottle of beer in his hand.

“It smells good,” he said, eyeing the long table bulging with food. A part of him was relieved that there would be no sit-down meal tonight.

Though it would be harder to avoid her here. He couldn’t plant himself on a table where she wasn’t and so he decided to stick by Russell’s side, even if that meant putting up with yet more business talk. Gabriel wished this night would be over fast and prayed that Tanya wasn’t going to stay in San Francisco for long. At Russell’s insistence he’d accepted to spend a week in their offices here.

Ethan joined them and they swapped a few laughs about their game. “I’m not sure golf is for me,” confessed Ethan.

“We claim the gym,” said Gabriel.

“I always had you down for a golf man, Gabriel.” Russell said.

“You can’t beat a good workout in the gym.”

“Very true,” said Michael, and proceeded to tell them about his morning gym ritual before he went to work, surprising Gabriel with his energy levels.

From the corner of his eye Gabriel saw Nadine and Tanya approach the group. She looked stunning in a bright greenish-yellow colored dress, similar to the scarf she’d left behind. He surmised that it must have been her favorite color.

It suited her, he thought, trying to pull his gaze away from the outline of her almost figure hugging dress.

She must have felt him looking at her because she looked at him just then, and their gazes locked.

“Hi,” she said.

He nodded, and then hated himself for not even being able to speak to her. He acknowledged Nadine as easily as he dismissed Tanya.

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