Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 138522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
That night we have dinner with Cat and Reese, celebrating the end of the investigation, as well as Reese winning the high-profile case he’s been navigating through all of this. We do so with sparkling cider and baby talk, which does pinch a bit though I’d never admit that to anyone. Gabe and I will never have children. I have this thought, but quickly dismiss it. It doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t, but it does serve to remind me of his past, which is a painful one. I vow to wash away that pain and fill it will laughter. Not the fake laughter he’d used to hide his pain beneath but real, heartfelt laughter.
For the rest of the week, I’m eager to dive into my new job. With the shelter relocated, I analyze the best charitable way the company can contribute to society and what the tax-related credits will be, if any. I radiate toward filling the hole in the city that losing my mother’s shelter has created.
Outside of work, Gabe and I spend every second together and fall into a routine. We workout together. We shower together. We sit in front of the fireplace and plan our future, the holidays. The travel we want to do together. The next weekend in the Hamptons, which I look forward to all week. We chopper in on Saturday morning.
Once we’re there, we visit the shelter and my mother. I watch Gabe help a wounded dog come down off a fear-driven fit of aggression and fall in love with the man all over again.
“Animals know,” my mother says beside me. “They hated Kenneth. They love Gabe. So, perhaps, should you.”
“I do,” I say softly. “I do, mother. I love him.”
She brushes hair from my face. “And he loves you. I see it in his eyes.”
There’s barking and we both turn to find Gabe now playing run and fetch with yet another dog. “He needs a baby and not the furry kind,” my mother suggests, winking at me, but thankfully moving on. “Though Gabbie and her babies are staying here. Brandon and I are too attached to let them go.”
Brandon just happens to appear in that moment, sliding an arm around my mother’s shoulders, and I know the look of love my mother described. I see it in Brandon’s face when he looks at my mother. He’s handsome and charming and as the day turns into a double dinner date, it becomes clear that he shares my mother’s excitement for the shelter’s future at his ranch. He’s proud of her, as am I.
It’s later that night, sitting by the outdoor fireplace, listening to the waves crash on the ocean that Gabe and I hatch the plan to open another shelter in the city, with my mother as the supervising veterinarian. We call her before we leave and invite her to breakfast. By the time we finish a breakfast that assures more jogging this week, we’re all eager for a future new shelter in the city.
A month and a half flies by like it’s mere hours, and I become less obsessed with keeping our relationship secret at the office, but vow to do so until after the board meeting where I will make my presentation. That day arrives, and I sit there with twelve hard expressions staring back at me. My presentation, which is completed with the aid of Dexter and Gabe, goes fabulously. Not only does the board approve of the shelter, quite a few members want to get involved. Dexter gives them high paws as appreciation. He also plays dead and dances. He’s really good at convincing people he’s not a serial killer. When the meeting is over, Gabe and Dexter kiss me in the lobby, and I don’t care. I’ve made my claim on this life. I don’t want to hide anymore.
The weekend arrives with Gabe’s promise of a big surprise. “I’m taking you somewhere to celebrate your presentation. Dress up. We’re going to do this right.”
This pleases me and I have several days to settle on an emerald green dress with a flared skirt and cinched waist. Gabe dresses in a dark suit and wears a tie to match my dress. The restaurant is in a high-rise and I have no idea why, but there are butterflies in my belly as the waiter leads us to a private room just under an archway. There’s a table set-up for us and champagne already on ice.
“This is amazing, Gabe,” I say, claiming my seat as he holds it out for me, the view stunningly lit up with city lights doing their best at rivaling the starlight.
“As are you, Abbie.” His voice softens. “As are you.”
“Gabe,” I whisper, emotion expanding in my chest.
He settles in the seat across from me and fills our glasses. We chat and sip our drinks when the waiter pokes his head inside and looks at Gabe. Gabe gives him a nod and then to my shock, Dexter walks in wearing a tie. I laugh as the pup offers me an envelope in his mouth. “What do you have there, boy?”