Begrudgingly, I told them the tale of my car breaking down on me and Jake insisting that I get something new. I explained how I’d been assisting him at work and how he wanted to reward me and make sure I had a safe way to get to and from work. Not only that, I added, but the car would be considered my annual raise.
My father whistled. “Not bad, Gabriella, not bad at all. A two hundred and thirty thousand dollar raise? Look at my little girl go.”
His praise made me feel like sunshine was shining out of my ass. I grinned like a greedy child soaking up all of my father’s affection.
Beck sipped his wine. “Nobody else thinks he might be buying her off?”
“Beck,” Ainsley muttered.
“What?” he asked innocently. “This is my little sister we’re talking about. Someone has to look out for her.”
“I can look out for myself,” I said flatly. “If this ends badly it’s on my head, Beck. Not yours. So don’t worry about it.”
“Children,” my mother cooed. “Let’s enjoy our evening together and table the work talk, shall we? Gabriella, I’m glad you seem to be doing well and that things at work are taking a turn in the right direction. Now.” She leaned forward and clasped her hands together. I knew exactly what she was going to say as she turned her eager smile on Beckham and Ainsley. “Let’s talk about the wedding.”
The next hour passed in a flurry of wedding talk. Between discussions about floral arrangements and the table settings Ainsley had settled on, Luna hollered at us to watch her do tricks in the pool. We all indulged her. It was so nice to have a child around to play with. She spat water and held her breath as she swam from one side of the pool to next. She came up sputtering every time, but she did it nonetheless. She attempted back rolls, which never worked out, but we all encouraged her to keep trying, and even managed a brief, crooked, rather pathetic handstand in the shallow end. As soon as she was done, her mother ordered her to put her water wings back on. Luna proceeded splashing around while my mother hammered my brother and his fiancée with more wedding questions.
Finally, she turned to me. “Do you know who you’re going to bring as your plus-one yet, Gabriella?”
I shrugged. “I hadn’t thought too much about it. I’m not seeing anyone, so at this rate I’ll probably just go solo.”
Ainsley smiled slyly. “Or you could invite your boss.”
Beckham choked on his wine. “Excuse me?”
Ainsley waved him off. “I’m just throwing it out there. There aren’t any conditions on who you can bring, and if you’d like to have him with you, bring him along. Rumor has it he’s very handsome, and that would look good in our wedding photos.”
The head chef who ran the kitchen staff came out to inform us that dinner would be served in ten minutes. My father got up and wandered over to the pool, where he helped Luna out, wrapped her up in a towel, and brought her inside to get changed and ready for dinner. He was probably glad for a reason not to talk weddings.
“I wouldn’t mind meeting this boss of yours,” my mother said.
I grimaced at the thought. My mother would give Jake the third degree as soon as he walked through the doors. He could handle it, I was sure, but I didn’t want things to get complicated.
“I’ll think about it,” I said to placate everyone.
They accepted that answer. We topped off our wine, and shortly after my father returned with Luna, dinner was served. I devoured the whole thing, enjoying every bite. Meals at my parents’ house were almost always exceptional, and tonight was no different.
Full to the brim, I leaned back and dabbed at my lips while everyone else finished up.
My phone buzzed in my purse, which I’d draped over the back of my chair. I pulled it out and rested it on my lap, trying not to look obvious that I was on my phone. My mom hated when we had our devices at the table.
It was a text from Jake.
“Gabriella, can you do that when we’re done?” my mother asked.
“Sorry, it’s work. I just need one second.” I pushed up from the table and ducked inside to open the message. What if Jake needed me? What if something was wrong? What if I’d made a mistake this week that I needed to rectify? What if he’d changed his mind about buying me the Lambo?
I opened the message.
Just closed the deal with the sneaker business! They said they liked our enthusiasm about their product and thought you should know you had a hand in the deal. Oh, and also, I snagged you these because they match your new car:
As I read his words, another message rolled in, and this one was a picture of a pair of sneakers sitting on his work desk, which meant he was still at the office at nine o’clock on a Friday night. Why was I not surprised?
The sneakers were white mesh with black and neon yellow accents on them, and they were super cute. Even though I was completely alone, I found myself blushing as I texted him back.
No way! We’ll have to celebrate!
I stared at the screen, waiting for another response to roll in. I pictured him sitting in his office, entirely alone, grinning at his screen just like I was. While I waited, I peered outside to see Beck and Ainsley had brought their patio chairs a little closer together. He had his hand in her lap, stroking her knuckles as she talked about the wedding with my mother, who listened in rapture. Meanwhile, my father began clearing the table, and before he left with a collection of dirty plates, he pressed a kiss to my mother’s forehead. Her eyes fluttered closed briefly and a peaceful smile lifted her lips.
I wanted someone who could be there for me like that. Who made me feel rich beyond my wildest dreams. Who could turn my day around with just a kiss or a simple affectionate touch.
Or a text message.
My phone dinged again, and another text rolled in.
Drinks are on me. Have a good weekend, Gabi.