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To my surprise Gabriel was home when I got there and he wasn’t alone.
I smelled her perfume before I saw her. It was a heavy floral fragrance that filled the small apartment and felt suffocating to me.
I walked into the living room and saw Gabriel talking to a beautiful woman with shoulder-length copper-colored hair, who looked to be his age. She had her hand on his knee and they were speaking quietly.
“Hey,” I said to announce my arrival since neither of them seemed to have noticed.
“Cia,” Gabriel got up and moved toward me. “I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
I looked at the woman, who gave me a quizzical look, and I remembered his words from last week when he asked how I would feel if he brought a woman home with him.
I had told him he could do as he pleased, but my belly didn’t agree with that decision and I found it really hard to smile at her.
“Ehhm… Mel, this is Cia, my… ehhh… roommate.”
She arched a brow. “As if.”
“No, I’m actually his nie–” I was going to say niece, but he cut me off.
“Cia, this is my sister Melody.” His eyes were communicating that she didn’t know about my existence and clearly he wasn’t going to tell her.
She reached her hand out. “Nice to meet you, Cia… you were saying?”
“Nothing,” I said and gave a strained smile.
“Aww… that’s sweet,” she chuckled. “My baby brother got a new girlfriend and he’s afraid of telling me.”
“It’s not that,” he said.
“Of course it is. She even has a key to your place.” Melody was about my height and dressed impeccably.”
“How did you two meet?” she asked me with a sly smile.
I looked at Gabriel for help but he just took my hand and pulled me closer.
“We met a few weeks back, and I was actually thinking about introducing Cia to the family soon.”
“Oh, so it’s serious then?” she said, sounding pleased.
“Let’s just say that we’ve grown close.”
Melody broke into a wide smile. “I’m so happy for you, G.” She gave me a nod of approval. “You should totally come and meet the wolf pack, and no matter what my brother told you, we’re not so bad once you get to know us.”
“I never said you were bad,” Gabriel exclaimed.
“How about family brunch this Sunday at Dad’s house? Wouldn’t that be fun?” she suggested and to my horror Gabriel nodded.
“Sure, that could work. We’ll be there.”
My jaw clenched and I shot him a dirty look.
“Oh-oh, if looks could kill…” Melody chuckled and reached up and hugged Gabriel. “It looks like your girlfriend wants a word with you.” Melody waved at me as she passed me and spoke over her shoulder. “I get it, meeting family can be a tough one, but my brother is worth it and we won’t bite. I promise.” Gabriel let Melody out and came back to talk.
“Your girlfriend?” I said with my hands firmly placed on my hips.
“Did you want me to tell her who you really are? I didn’t know if you were ready for her to know, but if you are, I can run after her and get her back here.”
“Maybe… I don’t know. But your girlfriend, G… really?”
