“I’ve been around your group long enough to know that they love you and they’re concerned. You should talk to them.”
“Aren’t you concerned they’ll try to talk me out of seeing you now?”
“You’re intelligent and strong, Gigi. You don’t do anything you don’t want to do. No matter what anyone says.”
Shit. That was the perfect answer because the compliment gave me butterflies and there was no way to argue against it.
“Not fair,” I mumbled.
“What’s not fair?” he asked.
“That was a really nice thing to say, but I can’t keep arguing with you about it since that would also mean I might cave if they pressured me.”
He chuckled. “No, it doesn’t. But I also know that your friends love you and that you need someone to talk to about what happens between us. Everyone needs someone like that.”
“Who’s that person for you?” I asked.
“Marcus. He’s the one who told me to get my head out of my ass about you, remember? That no one I dated before or would date in the future would measure up to you.”
“So, he convinced you?”
“Not exactly. More like hearing him say that was the permission I needed to do what I really wanted to do.”
I didn’t have a chance to respond because Lucy reappeared behind Elijah.
“All right, Gigi,” she said. “Davide said he’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Great, Lucy just let my nickname from Elijah out of the bag. I knew the girls were going to run with it, because that’s what they always did.
“What?”
“He said that you can leave to go have dinner with us, and he’ll take care of shutting down the gallery.”
“Thanks so much for talking to my boss about my job responsibilities,” I drawled.
She ignored my sarcasm and rounded the desk. “Come on.”
I knew from experience she wasn’t going to budge, so I sighed and started the process of shutting down my computer. Once I finished that, I got up and gathered my jacket and purse.
Ignoring the four pairs of eyes staring at us both, I sidled up to Eli. “Last chance to have me to yourself tonight.”
He grinned at me. “Have fun, and call me when you get home.”
I closed my eyes when he leaned down to kiss me. It was short and sweet but still made my belly dip. When his mouth released mine, I lifted my eyelids and stared up at his handsome face.
“I guess I can do that.”
His smile widened as he stepped back and looked at my friends. “She’s all yours, ladies.”
As we walked outside, I asked, “Where are we going?”
“Kosta’s,” Tanya answered before anyone else could say a word. “The baby wants Greek food.” She rubbed her growing baby bump as she said it.
“I’ll ride with Grier,” Chelsea said.
I shot her a sidelong look. She was riding with me to make sure I went to the restaurant and we all knew it. She ignored me and walked to the passenger door of my car.
The drive to the restaurant was quiet, but she seemed relaxed, chatting occasionally about plans for Thanksgiving and wondering about her chances of talking Landen into throwing a Christmas party.
