She had pushed her sunglasses up into her wet hair, and her blue eyes sparkled. Her cheeks had a rosy hue thanks to our time in the sun. Her small hands were animated as she talked, a permanent smile lighting up her face.
It was captivating. She was breathtaking.
I found myself hanging on her every word, completely enthralled by her. It was completely ridiculous how easy it was being with her, how she relaxed me and wound me up all at the same time. It felt right. Or something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
The buzzing of my phone on the table distracted me.
The name on the display set my heart pounding as reality came crashing into me. “Richard calling.”
Gabrielle fell silent, spotting her father’s name at the same time that I did.
“It’s okay, answer it,” she encouraged softly. I looked at my phone like something that was about to bite me. This was it. The call that would determine my future.
“Richard, my man.” I tried to keep my tone light and my voice steady. Like I didn’t have a care in the world. Like I wasn’t sitting across the table thinking dangerous thoughts about his pride and joy.
“James, how are you?” His voice was brisk, but he sounded the same as always. It didn’t sound like he was about to shatter my dreams with a shitty offer or tear me limb from limb for being with his daughter.
“I’m good, Richard. Really good, actually. How are you?” My eyes met Gabrielle’s and held them.
“Probably about to make you feel even better,” he said, chuckling. Lightness and relief creeped into his tone.
“Yeah? You’re calling me with good news, then?” Hope surged in my chest. I knew that Richard would have done anything to keep me happy and to make me stay, but I wasn’t sure whether he would be able to meet some of the better offers on the table.
“I am. I had a look over our financials and talked it over with the bean counters. I think you’re really going to like what we’ve put together for you.” Fuck yeah.
Gabrielle smiled brightly at the expression on my face. Or maybe she could hear some of what her father was saying. The point was that she looked genuinely happy. She knew how much it meant to me that the contract restructure went well.
My heart did something strange when I realized that my happiness meant that much to her. That she gave a single fuck about me getting what I wanted. The best of both worlds, as she’d so aptly put it.
“That sounds promising.” My dreams were within reach. All I had to do was reach out and grab them.
“It is. I’d like to get you in here as soon as possible to talk it over. Lock it down.” I wanted that, too. More than fucking anything.
“Sure thing, I’ll come by whenever you’re available to see me.” Fingers crossed, it would be later that day. The sooner I got my new contract signed, the better.
“Are you kidding me? I want that ink drying on the contract like yesterday, my boy.” My heart constricted, and my stomach clenched. He’d called me that so many times in the past. Why was I having a different reaction to it now?
Gabrielle’s eyes drew me in, and Richard’s voice pulled me back out. “Unfortunately, though, I’m out of town today. Otherwise, I’d have gotten you in here this afternoon. I’ll be back in the office tomorrow morning. I’ll be there all day. Stop by anytime.”
“I’ll do that. I’ll see you first thing in the morning, Richard.” Hell, I would’ve slept outside of his office if I thought it would make a difference.
“Good to hear it. I want you to know that we appreciate you, James. A lot of players would’ve upped and left in your situation. You’re a good man.” My chest puffed at the compliment. Then a frisson of guilt ran through me as I studied Gabrielle’s beautiful face.
I pushed the negative feelings aside. Richard and I were close, but being with Gabrielle? It was worth it.
“Thanks, Richard. I appreciate what you’re doing for us, too. Thanks for sticking to your word and making it happen.” I meant it. I wasn’t the only one that could’ve approached the situation very, very differently.
“Of course, I meant it when I said that I’d do whatever it takes to make you happy. I’ll see you in the morning, James. I really hope that I’m right about you liking the new deal.”
So did I. “Yeah, me too. I’ll see you then.”
“Good news?” Gabrielle beamed at me from across the table. My heart did the weird thing again.
/> “I think so. They’ve had a look over everything and put together a new contract for me. Your father thinks that I’ll like it.”
Her eyes lit up, and she reached across the table to squeeze my hand. I took hers firmly in my grasp. “That’s great news, James. You said that he’s seen the other offers, right?”
I nodded. I didn’t know if he’d necessarily seen them, but he knew what the terms were. “Then that means that he could beat them all. If I know one thing about my father, it’s that he wouldn’t have called to give you the news if he didn’t have a rock-solid offer that he honestly thinks you will take.”