Page 41 of Embracing Love

“It’s been nearly ten years—it didn’t take me ten years to get over it, but it took long enough. The pain of betrayal runs deep.” He shrugged, “It was a long time ago. It’s done.”

She let out an angry moan. “Relationships. Who needs them?”

“You’re obviously still not completely over it.”

She blushed red again. “I am over it. I’m getting over it. I…just…need… to… get there. You know, the end point, where I can stop remembering the past.”

He understood completely. “You do, in time,” he assured her. “Or rather, you make yourself get to that end point. You have to.” But his situation was slightly different. He would never completely get Francine out of his life because they would always be bound together by their son.

But if there was no connection, then moving on would be easier, he imagined. Tanya was single. Hope was not lost. But as attractive as he found her, he respected that she was still coming to terms with her divorce. He enjoyed talking to her, and he liked that they could speak so easily, even about matters that were clearly so personal. There was something that drew him to her—he knew it wasn’t just her looks and her brains, but he felt comfortable in her space. And to Gabriel, a man who kept women at a distance, this was a revelation that was both new and intriguing.

“For people like Ethan and Nadine, the world is all full of fresh new hope,” continued Tanya. “But it doesn't always end up like that.”

“It does for some. I have plenty of friends who are in good relationships. Even now, at my age. Married or not. They’re still together. Maybe you and I are just the odd ones out.”

“Maybe.” She looked over to where Ethan and Nadine stood.

“Wallowing in the past won’t get you anywhere, Tanya. I should know.”

She turned to him and he suddenly felt as though he could tell her anything. Wanted to tell her everything. Felt at last as though she carried the same kind of burden, and therefore understood the acute sense of pain that only abandoned lovers could know.

“What do you suggest?” she asked him.

Gabriel looked at her and knew that the fluttering in his stomach wasn’t due to him being hungry. Was she flirting with him now? She seemed to be opening up, slowly, but surely. The evening was beautiful. He had her attention and he had her all to himself.

“I think surrounding yourself with likeminded people who make you forget the past is a good way forward.”

She opened her lips to say something just then, but he’d seen Russell beckoning him over and he could no longer blatantly ignore it as he’d been doing. He clenched his hands in his pockets. “I think Russell is trying to attract my attention.”

“Then you should go.”

“I could pretend I haven’t seen him.” He didn’t want to leave her side. She laughed. “I think a man of his height and size is pretty hard to miss.”

Gabriel looked at her. “You could come with me.” She glanced over to where Russell stood with Dorothy and Michael and some people he hadn’t yet met.

“Thanks, but I’ll pass. I think I need to work the room.”

“Don’t go too far. We haven’t finished this conversation.”

“I’ll be waiting,” she told him, and then she was gone before he could say another word.

Gabriel grimaced inwardly as he approached the group where his boss appeared to hold court.

He secretly hoped he wouldn't get lumbered with this group for dinner.

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