Guilt rippled through me.
I knew that Gabriel wanted to make the most of the situation. I did too. But I couldn’t reconcile the thoughts racing through my head right now. How was I supposed to sit here and make small talk when I was betraying my friend?
And not just any friend. Mybestfriend.
The same amazing friend who paid for me to come here in the first place.
At the same time, although I owed nothing to Gabriel, I hated the thought of him sitting here in this big fancy restaurant and eating alone.
This was such a mess.
But I had to do the right thing.
Ihadto be loyal to my friend.
‘I’m really sorry, Gabriel.’ I slid my handbag on my shoulder. ‘You still seem like a lovely guy, but I can’t pretend that everything’s okay when it’s not. I have to go. Do you want us to leave together so it doesn’t cause a scene?’
‘Cause a scene?’ His brows knitted together with confusion.
‘Yeah. If I leave, people might start staring and wondering what happened and I don’t want them to gossip about you,’ I said, my stomach tightening.
A soft chuckle slipped from Gabriel’s mouth.
‘Do you think thatIam the kind of man who cares what other people think?’
‘I… I have no idea. I don’t really know you.’
‘And you have an opportunity to change that, right now.’
‘I… I just can’t.’ I stood up, knowing that if I didn’t start making my way to the exit, I might chicken out. ‘I’m sorry. It was lovely seeing you again.’ The words froze on my tongue because I wasn’t sure if that was even true. Then I decided that it was. It just would’ve been better if it was under more platonic and above-board circumstances. ‘Good luck with everything.’
Gabriel looked at me with a strange expression. It wasn’t shock, rejection, disbelief or defeat like I would’ve expected, because that was definitely how I would’ve felt if someone was about to ditch me at a dinner table minutes after the start of a first date. My stomach tightened again and I felt sick with guilt. I hated that I’d been put in such an impossible situation.
Could the expression on Gabriel’s face have been nonchalance? Not that he didn’t care if I left because he wasn’t interested in me. It was more like he heard everything I said, but wasn’t convinced.
‘Very well,’ he nodded. ‘I understand.’
‘Good.’ My shoulders loosened.
I’d misread his expression. Of course he was fine. A man like him could click his fingers and a thousand other women would come running. It wouldn’t be difficult for the hotel to find an alternative match.
Shame it wouldn’t be the same for me. I couldn’t imagine an army of men queuing up to date a forty-something woman who was no longer in her prime.
‘You are still in shock,’ Gabriel said. ‘You need time to process, so when you have had time to reflect, I look forward to hearing from you.’ He reached in his pocket and pulled out his mobile. ‘Unlock your phone and go into WhatsApp,’ he commanded.
‘What?’ I frowned. ‘Why?’
He tapped on his screen and opened the app.
‘Scan this.’ He pointed to a QR code. ‘It will send you my number.’
I frowned, thinking I had no idea that was even a thing. Before I knew it, I was following his instructions. Seconds later his details popped up on my screen.
‘There.’ He slid his phone back in his pocket. ‘Now when you are ready to continue our date, you will know how to reach me.’
‘But Iwon’t,’ I said firmly. ‘I told you. I can’t go ahead with this. I need to make that very clear.’
‘Do not worry. It is very clear. I will not pursue you. I will respect your decision and wait for you to get in touch. If you decide to leave this amazing opportunity we could share together behind and return to London because you want to allow yourfriendto dictate your life, I will not understand your desire to let her control your happiness, but I will accept it. But if you choose to be in charge of your own destiny and want to enjoy two weeks in this beautiful city and discover more about Paris and me – the man that some of the most respected matchmakers in the world have selected from thousands of applicants because they are certain that I am your ideal man – then I will be here, ready to join you on this exciting adventure. And to prove the experts right.’
