Page 132 of Gabriel's Album

I follow his instruction, and I know I’ve reached the right cubicle, not because it’s where he told me to go, but because it contains the short black-haired fan from Friday night. She goggles at me as I walk into their cubicle and sit in the empty seat that I’m assuming is Ariana’s.

“Hey, we didn’t get a proper introduction on Friday. I’m Gabriel, and I’m guessing you’re Charlotte?” I smile at her and hold my hand out to shake hers.

“Yes, oh my god, yes. I am,” she stammers and flushes red.

“Did you enjoy the concert? You were onstage with Seb, weren’t you?”

“I was. It wasamazing. That song issogood,” she gushes.

“Thanks,” I laugh.

Her eyes go wide, and she gasps, “Oh my god. You wrote it.”

“That I did,” I confirm. “Sebastian certainly does a great job performing it, too.”

“He’s so hot,” she says and clasps her hands over her mouth. “Shit. I didn’t mean to say that.”

I burst out laughing at her reaction. I wonder how close she and Ariana are. How much does she know about us?

“Okay, you’re going to need to take some deep breaths, Charlotte. For a start, let’s not tell Seb you ever said that because his head is big enough as it is,” I tell her in a conspiratorial tone.

She laughs and takes a couple of breaths. “All right, I’m calm now. Sorry. I’m a big fan.”

I point to a picture of the guys and me that’s pinned up nearby. “Is that yours or Ariana’s?”

“Mine,” she tells me, her cheeks flushing pink. “So, what are you up to now the tour is over?”

“I feel like I’ve said this a thousand times in the last week, but sleep. So much sleep. I’m tired as hell,” I smile.

“I can imagine. We had a sales competition this month, and I’ve been flat out for that. Ariana won it, though.”

My heart starts beating double time at the mention of her name.

“So, she’s a real estate agent?” I ask.

“Yup. She soldsomany properties last month. Not that I’m complaining, since she took me to the concert,” Charlotte laughs.

We talk for about fifteen minutes, and we’re discussing changes that are being made to Navy Pier when I look up and see Ariana standing in the entrance to the cubicle. Her face has gone white at the sight of me, and her jaw drops open.

I raise a hand to Charlotte to indicate that I need her to stop talking before I say, “Ari, can we please talk?”

“I don’t know,” she says. “I only just got in, and I’m supposed to be working.”

I smile and tell her, “I spoke to Charles a short while ago, and he said that we could take all the time we needed whenever you got in.”

“Wow.” Ariana’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Okay, I might have agreed to purchase my next property through your agency,” I grin at her.

She seems surprised that her boss was okay with her leaving to talk to me, but he seemed more than fine with it. I hope I don’t get her in trouble. It’s possible he was just trying to butter me up for my business. Either way, I’ll take it.

“So, can we talk?” I ask again.

“Here?” Ariana shifts from foot to foot as she asks the question.

“I thought we could probably go for a walk or something.” I give her a reassuring smile.

“Sure,” Ariana replies, shaking her head in apparent amazement that I’m here.

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