Page 147 of Gabriel's Album

Life Goes On

I didn’t seeElena after our appointment with Brendan. I’m not sure exactly where she went, but I think it was a hotel or a friend’s house. She sends two friends to my apartment on Friday afternoon to pick up her things, and they glare at me and make nasty comments the whole time they’re packing up her stuff.

As soon as they’re gone, true relief washes over me. I’m going to see Ariana today. I was waiting for this to happen, because I didn’t want any traces of Elena in my life before I got back with Ariana. I wanted it to be completely done.

I decide to drive to Ariana’s work and wait for her. There’s a parking spot right out the front of the building, and I snag it, then walk over and stand in front of the doors to her office. It’s about a quarter to five, and after ten minutes, people start leaving her building.

They all walk out and see me, and I catch a few whispering things to each other before they walk away. I wonder what the gossip in her office was like after my visit. I should ask her. Oh my god, I can ask her things. We can talk about whatever comes to my mind. Fuck, I love her so much, and I can’t believe I get to be with her.

I can’t wipe the grin off my face when I see Ariana and Charlotte walk out of the building. She’s as beautiful as ever, and if she meant what she said, then she’s mine now.

Charlotte sees me first and gasps loudly, her mouth dropping open in shock.

Ariana looks at her and asks, “What?”

“Hey, Ari. Hey, Charlotte,” I call out to them.

“Gabriel, what the hell are you doing here?” Ariana’s mouth drops open too.

“Well, I’m happy to see you, too!” I laugh.

I stride over to Ariana and throw my arms around her, crushing her into a hug. She feels so perfect in my arms; everything about this is so completelyright.

I bury my face in her hair and say in a muffled voice, “God, I missed you.”

I set her away from me, and she steadies herself as she almost falls over. Ariana’s cheeks flush bright red when she looks over and sees Charlotte watching us.

“I missed you, too, but what are you doing here?” Ariana asks.

“I thought I’d come and surprise you. We’ve got a lot to talk about,” I say without giving any more explanation because we have forever to talk now. “Do you mind if I take your workmate off your hands, Charlotte?”

“Uh, not a problem. Have a great weekend, Ariana!” Charlotte gives us an awkward wave.

I turn at once to walk back to the car, and Ariana follows me. I open the passenger door for her, and she gets in.

“What’s going on, Gabe?” she asks after I slide into the driver’s seat.

“Elena and I have broken up,” I announce. “Put your seatbelt on. I can’t drive until you’re buckled up.”

She does so, and I ask, “My place or yours?”

“Oh, um, doesn’t matter. I live in Oak Park, so yours might be closer?”

“It is,” I tell her and let my gaze roam over her from head to toe. She’s wearing a dress today, and it shows off her figure very nicely. I can’t wait to do the thing we had to stop ourselves from doing the last time I saw her. “And the sooner we can get out of this car, the better.”

Ariana flushes pink again, and I grin at her. It doesn’t take us long to get to my apartment building, and I park underneath it. I get out of the car, then rush around to open her door for her. I watch her exiting the car and feel a shot of arousal to my crotch as her skirt rides up while she does. Then, she’s standing upright and covered up again. Not for long.

We walk to the elevator, and I press the button to call it. While we wait, I stand behind her and wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly against me. She feels so good I can barely stand it. I’ve missed her so much in the last two years. The elevator pings to notify us of its arrival, so I kiss the top of her head and resent having to let her go.

I run my hand softly up and down her back as we travel up to my floor. She looks at me and her eyes are full of sexual promise. Her breathing is shallow, and I know she’s just as aroused right now as I am.

We get to my floor, and I let us into my apartment in record time. As soon as the door closes behind us, I grab Ariana and kiss her passionately.

“I’ve waited two years to do that again,” I say when the kiss ends, breaking the charged silence between us.

“Gabriel, what’s happening? Tell me everything.”

I lead her over to the sofa in the living area, sit down next to her, and turn to look at the woman that I love more than anything else in the world.

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