Since the divorce, the house has sat empty. After our marriage collapsed years earlier, I moved to London to be nearer my office. Darra stayed at the house with Lottie, and I visited on weekends. Darra liked the comfort and support of the staff I employed. But with everything finalised, living on my family’s estate was not something Darra wanted to do.
“He’s happy,” I acknowledge.
“He is.”
I feel Gabe’s hand land on my shoulder.
He understands my life better than my other siblings and is privy to more than the others.
We fall into silence until Gabe speaks.
“When does Lottie leave for Italy?”
I take a long sip of my drink before exhaling.
“Two days. She’ll spend most of the summer there. Darra has enlisted her in an art school that offers Italian lessons. She’ll be back for Mum’s birthday weekend.”
“And you? What are you going to do while she’s gone?”
“Work. We’ve got a new release due in a few weeks,” I say.
Gabriel tuts. “Other than work? You can’t spend the entire summer locked in your office. It’s not healthy. Take it from a reformed workaholic.”
“I know what you’re trying to do, but I’m not going there,” I say.
All loved up, and he thinks the rest of the world wants that, too. Both he and Caleb have done a complete one eighty on their feelings towards commitment and relationships. Where I’m concerned, I’ve been there and done that. Not to mention, once burned… Just the thought of getting involved with someone else is enough to bring me out in hives.
Gabriel doesn’t let up.
“I’m not talking about getting serious with anyone. I’m just saying. It’s been eight months since your divorce. You’ve barely been out with friends. Would it be so bad to socialise? Why don’t you at least join us on boys’ night?”
“I’ll think about it,” I say, my tone totally non-committal.
Gabriel huffs.
“Fine. I promise to seriously think about it,” I concede. “But Lottie’s happiness going forward is my number one priority. I’m not sacrificing that for anything or anyone. So much has changed for her. She needs stability.”
The thought of meeting someone, giving up control. Worse still, there being friction with Lottie. That’s the last thing I need. Lottie has had enough to deal with, with her mother and mefighting constantly. I want to give her a peaceful environment. At least for the next couple of years.
“Thinking about it is enough for now,” Gabriel says, squeezing my shoulder. “But you also have to think about your own happiness. You’re not an island, Eli.”
I drop my chin to my chest. “Maybe not, but I’ve certainly done a great job of isolating myself.”
I know I’ve not been the easiest person to be around. There are a lot of bridges to rebuild. For years, I kept everyone at arm’s length, thinking I was protecting them from my mistakes. Instead, all I caused was more heartache.
After years of being caught in a toxic marriage, where I lived each day under the threat of having my daughter ripped from my life. No, I don’t ever want to open myself up to that kind of vulnerability again. But I took all that I had to because of my love for my daughter. Now that is over.
“The adoption is complete?” Gabriel asks, sensing I want to change the subject.
“Yes.”
Darra can no longer threaten me with Lottie.
Not that she wants to. She received the vineyard in Tuscany as part of our divorce settlement, along with most of what I accrued over the years. I only asked that she stay away from my company and my art collection. My lawyer was horrified, but I got what I wanted most—Lottie.
Darra finally agreed to let me adopt our daughter. Although I think Lottie’s insistence had more to do with it than mine. She’s quite the little firecracker when she wants to be. It’s also the reason she’s spending the summer with her mother. To rebuild their relationship.
Gabriel clinks his glass against mine, making me turn my head. I’m surprised by his smile.
