Page 25 of My Billionaire Seal Next Door

I toss the duvet off me. I ruffle through my closet and find my tracksuit pants and a tank top and throw them on then I head towards the kitchen. Coffee will most definitely be my saving grace today. I am going to need to make a full pot of it if I hope to survive this tiredness.

I stand at my big front window with the curtains mostly closed. I can see his house and I feel stupid for watching like this. I know I am hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but also, I am hoping that I don't.

He is my neighbor. This is so ridiculous. I can't avoid him forever. He lives right across the street. How am I supposed to handle this weird situation?

I pull my curtains open all the way and the bright light of day stings my tired eyes.

I don't even know why I am looking out for him now. I know he will be at the class I am supposed to be teaching, with Bella.

I finish my coffee and decide to catch up on some admin to try and keep my mind busy.

Just as I am about to start my phone rings.

I pick it up and almost drop it when I see Alex's name on my screen.

Do I answer? Do I hang up?

I sigh and answer the call, pressing the phone against my ear.

"Alex?" I say, abruptly.

"Good morning. Are you ok?" He sounds concerned.

"Why wouldn't I be ok?" I wonder out loud.

"Because you aren't at class." Of course.

"Oh, right, yes, I am fine. Just tired."

He chuckles and the deep sound makes me smile. Then I am annoyed that I am smiling while talking to him. I should not let myself fall like this.

"Is there something I can do for you, Alex?"

"Actually, I wanted to know if you were free tonight?"

I hesitate before I answer. "I am not sure." Why would he ask me that?

"If you are I would love to take you out for dinner? Just you and me, um, on a proper date. More official than a gym locker room. I would like to spend time with you." I smile again.

"A date? Oh, I can do dinner, yes, sure."

My heart begins to race, and I worry that it is thumping so hard in my chest he might hear it through the phone. I can't believe he has asked me out on an actual date. Maybe I was wrong about him.

"I will come by at seven to pick you up?" He confirms.

"See you then," I say, trying to sound casual and cool.

I put the phone down and feel a little stunned. So, hedoeslike me. I mean he must like me if he wants to take me out to dinner. Does that mean it is more than just a fling for him? I began to feel excited about the idea of going on a real date with him. What should I wear? I forgot to ask him what the dress code is? Does it matter? I rush off to find something pretty to wear.

At seven o'clock there is a knock on my front door. I open the door to find Alex standing there with a bunch of pink roses in his hand.

He grins at me. "Hello, beautiful."

"Hello." I grin back feeling like a teenager on her first date.

"Come in." I stand aside and he walks in. When he is close to me, he wraps his arm around my waist and leans down to kiss me lightly. "It is good to see you again, Gabi." My name on his lips sends delightful shivers down my spine.

"You too." I grin. Am I grinning too much?

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