“Make it count,” I add. “I want wine. Candles. Dessert.”
I turn and head toward the shower—done with the conversation, at least for now.
14
ELIJAH
“Livin’la Vida Loca” suddenly blasts into our quiet, candlelit dinner. I fumble for my phone, silencing the ringtone as quickly as I can while mouthing “sorry” to nearby patrons who look like they might leap across the table and strangle me.
Across from me, Alex lifts his napkin to his face, barely able to contain his grin.
I shake my head. Wink. “I have to take this. It’s Gabriel.”
The smile drops from his face. He gives me a clipped nod.
Wonderful.
Any other time, I’d send Gabriel straight to voicemail. But something in my gut tells me to answer. He knows I’m out with Alex—he wouldn’t call unless it was important. Especially since I asked him not to be at the penthouse when we got back. He assured me he had plans with Noah anyway.
So why the hell is he calling me now?
And why am I suddenly worried?
“Gabriel,” I answer, reaching across the table for Alex’s hand. When I don’t get a response, I check the screen to confirm we’restill connected—we are. “Gabriel?” I try again, as the waiter returns with dessert menus and asks if we’d like coffee.
“Espresso,” I answer, and Alex orders himself a cappuccino.
“I need…I need…I need…” Gabriel’s voice trembles, disjointed.
“What is it, love?” I gesture to Alex that I’ll be right back and step out onto the patio.
“You,” he chokes out. “I needyou.”
“I’m here, love. Tell me what happened?”
Switching to Spanish, his voice breaks. His mother had a heart attack. He needs to leave for Spain immediately. “I can’t do this alone, Elijah. I just c-can’t.”
I know he can’t. But I can’t just abandon Alex either. Not tonight. He’s already pissed.
I glance in through the window. Alex is flipping through the dessert menu with the stiff focus of someone pretending not to be irritated. And, yup… he’s pissed.
In the past, if Gabriel needed me, I wouldn’t hesitate. I’d jump on the first plane to Spain, no questions asked. I’d be by his side every step of the way. And he’d do the same for me. It’s how we worked.
Or… how weusedto work.
But now there’s someone else to consider. And even though Alex would probably be supportive —he isn’t a mean person—I don’t want to rock the boat.
“Can Noah go with you?” I ask carefully, not wanting to push him over the edge. “I mean, he’s obviously met your parents, and I’m sure he’d?—”
“No. He can’t. And I’m not calling him.” He sniffles.
“Would you like me to call? I really don’t mind.”
“No, Elijah. Please don’t.”
“But—”
“I said no. Just drop it.Please.”
