Page 121 of Wolf.e
I stare up at him.
“Are you even going to take a look around or are you just gonna push me into the corner the second we get in here?” Gabriel asks, swinging the door open.
I blink to stop my stare, he’s smug as all hell.
I squint up at him in the afternoon sun. “Not sure yet.” I shrug honestly, patting his cut on my way by.
He chuckles. “Get your pretty little ass in there before you tempt me too much and ruin my surprise.”
When I step inside, my mouth falls open and I gasp. “Been working on it since you said you wanted your own space. Called in some favors to get the work done quickly,” he explains. The space has been fully renovated. I can smell fresh paint and new wood. The floors are thick barn board and all the walls are covered in a white shiplap with inlaid shelving and basket weave lighting. The ceiling is vaulted and white with wide walnut wood beams extending from one side to the other. A cash bar lines the back wall and above it, smack in the center, is an intricate and stunningly beautiful pink neon hummingbird.
I look at him then back to the windows that flank either side, facing onto the courtyard between the buildings.
The whole front wall is windows facing onto Main Street. It’s bright and airy and so beautiful, and I still have no idea what he’s done.
“This space is yours, the club’s numbered company owns the building but the lease is in your name, solely. Nothing to do with the club or me,” he says proudly. “Welcome toHummingbird Design Inc. Also registered solely in your name.”
“How?” I ask in a gasp, my hands covering my mouth in shock.
Gabriel shrugs.
“Kai is really fucking good at what he does and the permit office was thrilled to have a new business take over. Not to mention,Crimson Homesis happy to refer their clients to you and they want you to freelance and still help them with their design build projects.”
“What? I-I don’t know what to say.” Tears fill my eyes.
“You heard the realtor, he thinks we’ll get an offer or two before the end of the weekend so I can pay you—” I start to panic when I think of how much this must have cost.
“No.” He shakes his head “I don’t want to hear it. This space is yours. For the first time in my life, I thought I might actually die in that cabin, and you saved me. I’m done living like a closed book, hoarding my money away. I want tolive. Youmake me want to live.”
I shake my head and blow out a breath, taking the space in again with fresh eyes, as mine.
“A legitimate business that’s just for you. Your money can go into it from here on out. It will cost a lot to stock it, yeah?” he asks.
I look around still amazed. “Yeah…” I whisper.
All the ideas I have saved on my computer run through my mind as I think of the specialty shops I can order from and pieces I’m already in love with.
“I can see it all, samples along this wall…” I say excitedly with tears brimming over. “I bet I could reach out to Benjamin Moore and become a preferred seller.” I touch everything as I make my way through.
“Maybe local artisans’ pieces here to sell to clients who want unique décor.”
I continue through the space and find the bathroom and private office in the back.
I’m full out crying when I’m done exploring this beautiful space that’s all mine thanks to him. And through it all, Gabriel trails behind me with a look on his face I just can’t place. Pride?
“I love you!” I cry, launching myself into his arms. He holds me tight and lifts me right off the ground. “I love you, I love you.” I kiss his face, his lips.
He pulls his hands up and swipes the tears from my eyes.
“And I love you. But I’m gonna need you to prove it,” he says.
I pull back to look at him as his mouth turns up into the smirk I love.
“Right here?” I ask as he hoists me up onto my new cash counter and loses his fingers under my blouse. They’re warm on my skin and I instantly begin to heat. No blinds cover the windows, it’s broad daylight outside. Gabriel reads my mind before I can say it.
“The windows are tinted; I’ll keep you covered…don’t worry and don’t think about it, little hummingbird. Take whatyouwant.”
“Right,” I convince myself. “Don’t worry…take what I want,” I tell myself as my head falls back with his lips on my neck.
