Chapter 26
Lexie
“Well, that was certainly interesting.”
I practically jump out of my chair when I feel Cammy’s breath on my neck. “Jeez, don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“Sorry.” She’s still leaning over me whispering in my ear. “I didn’t want anyone to hear me.”
“Well? Tell me… what’s interesting?”
“That whole thing with Gabriel and the roses. So, who really sent them to you?”
Shrugging, I turn to face her, “I have no idea. The card wasn’t signed, and there was no message.”
“Wow. I knew it would work, but I hadn’t anticipated a love triangle.”
“Huh? A love what? What would work?”
“This whole thing with you and Gabriel. I’ve been on the phone for three days straight setting up interviews and photo shoots for the boss man. You two are the talk of the town, girly.”
“How could that be? How do people know? We’ve only gone out a couple of times.”
“People and their cell phones. Social media. It’s gone off like wildfire that a simple girl like you,” she winks, “has tamed the notorious bachelor Gabriel Parker.”
I roll my eyes because I’ve done no such thing. I pat her hand, “I’m glad it’s working. Have you heard anything more from that crazy lady? Christine?”
“We haven’t heard from her, but the press sure has. She’s been very busy giving interviews, showing off some bogus sonogram of Gabriel’s baby. It’s a hoax. His attorney and the private detective will get to the bottom of it.”
“Private detective? What is this Magnum P.I.?
Cammy throws her head back and lets out a roar of a laugh. “Leave it to you to use a reference from 1983.”
“What? Magnum was hot. He still is.”
“True dat, girlfriend. Mr. Selleck has aged well. Anyway, you two seem to be convincing. The kiss at the gallery opening was probably the thing that truly convinced everyone. There’s a video of it on YouTube.”
“No way,” I gasp. “A video? Of us kissing?”
“Yeah, girl. And let me tell you. It was h-o-t, hot.”
I quickly turn to my computer to open up YouTube. “What do I search for?”
“Hot kiss at Chicago art gallery.”
I type in the words and stare. Oh. My. God. It’s true. I’m on the internet kissing Gabriel Parker. I know I’m blushing like crazy but dang, the kiss is really hot. “Does Gabriel know?”
“I doubt it. I just found it this morning myself. I haven’t told him yet. Maybe you should tell him. It might be awkward for me to tell him.”
“Oh. Really? You think so?” Part of me is embarrassed and wants to go home and stay there forever, but the other part of me wants to see his reaction. “I guess. Should I call him or just knock on his door?”
“I’d just go. You’re going to chicken out if you overthink it.”
She’s right. “You’re right. Can you watch the front desk for a minute?”
“Sure. And let’s go to lunch today. Okay?”
“Yeah. I’d like that. Somewhere budget friendly, please.” I step away from my desk, straighten my blouse and nudge down my pencil skirt. It’s one of the new outfits that Victoria and I chose. It’s a rather plain white blouse and black skirt, but the thing that makes this outfit are the shoes. They’re red, double strap Mary Jane wiggle pumps circa 1962. They turn the outfit from bland to fantastic.
