Page 47 of Embracing Love

Chapter 21

He’d been tempted to follow her but she had a big day tomorrow and he didn’t want to get in the way of her preparation.

Gabriel was a patient man and there would be plenty of time afterwards. He knew she was here with the people she worked with, and therefore she was in a different space compared to him. He’d come as a guest and he wouldn’t see many of these people again. She would, and she had to be careful.

It would be awkward to mix business with pleasure especially if there was a danger of being caught—as there had been just now.

Despite his desire to want to leave with her, he had forced himself to stay where he was.

If he had any doubts as to how she might have felt, tonight he had his answer and that would do, for now. She did have feelings for him.

Nadine joined them when Tanya left, and stood by Ethan’s side. “Remember this?” she said dreamily.

“I could never forget it.”

“Has Michael roped you in to play golf tomorrow?” Ethan asked.

“He has. You too?”

Ethan nodded. “It’s not really my thing, but I’ll give it a go.”

“Good,” replied Gabriel. “There are a few presentations that I’ve been told I need to watch but I’m free in the afternoon.”

“I’ll join you in the afternoon then.” Ethan said.

“But you don’t like golf!” Nadine said in surprise.

“If we’re going to be coming here every year, I think I ought to start liking it.”

“He has a point.” Gabriel sided with Ethan.

“I guess you don’t have to watch all of the presentations,” said Nadine. “If you want to go to the gym or something, you should.”

“She makes you come to her presentations?” Gabriel asked, amused.

“It’s all part of the package.” Ethan replied. “Some things you just have to do.”

Nadine smacked him lightly across the arm.

Gabriel made an exaggerated show of looking at his watch. “It’s getting late for me. I need to get to bed. If you’ll excuse me.”

“See you tomorrow,” Ethan replied.

“Goodnight.”

Walking back along the route he and Tanya had taken, Gabriel almost envied Ethan and Nadine being left alone. It wasn’t their fault but their timing could have been better.

Timing.

It was all about timing.

Would it make a difference if he sought Tanya out? She’d indicated that she was returning to her room—and he seemed more sure now that she felt the same way about him.

He walked along in silent contemplation weighing up the pros and cons of whether he should be bold and daring and go to her room.

Not because he wanted sex.

Not because he wanted anything in particular.

Not because he wanted…

But because she seemed at the same place as him—and perhaps even talking, might be something. But then again, maybe he was presuming too much. She’d have hung around at the fountain if she’d wanted the night to end with him. Instead she’d returned to finish her presentation.

It would be selfish of him to disturb her now and he wanted her presentation to go well, especially knowing how much it meant to her.

So the choice was made. Besides, they still had the rest of the weekend before them.

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