“OKAY, I THINK that’s enough for today.”
My face was warm, despite the slight chill in the air, as I closed the journal and tucked it away quickly. Reading Sophia’s sexual thoughts aloud was embarrassing to do in front of Gael. I wasn’t able to meet his eyes quite yet. His shoulder still brushed mine which had made it hard to focus while reading.
Gael leaned forward and looked me in the eyes. “You’re stopping it there?”
His teasing tone caused me to nod my head in embarrassment. “Umm—Yeah, I think that’s good.”
“I think it was about to get better.”
I looked at Gael. He tried to hold his amusement in and failed miserably. Fumbling over my words, I tried to respond. “It would appear that things were going to get a little more—umm—interesting.”
Leaning back on the bench and throwing his arm along the back to where it lightly rested against my shoulders, Gael laughed. “How’d work go this morning?”
Thank goodness for the change in subject.
Turning slightly, my knee brushed Gael’s and instantly that spot tingled. My body was sensitive around Gael and aware of every point our bodies made contact. Work was going to be easier to discuss than Sophia and Daniel’s extracurricular athletic stunts. “It was productive. I’m still ahead of schedule on the three sites I’m designing. This afternoon I’m going to keep going through Aunt Leelyn’s things. I’m making good headway. It would be great if I could finish.”
“Hey, Gael.” A woman with dark-brown hair approached, eyeing me suspiciously.
Gael stayed in his current position next to me. “Hey, Kim. You look like you’re a woman on a mission.”
I wasn’t sure who she was. My heart sped at the thought she could be a girlfriend. Should I move away to put a little distance between Gael and me? If I did, that might make me look guilty. Gael’s presence alone flustered my thinking. This was a new feeling for me.
She smiled and I could tell she was attracted to Gael. I felt territorial and I fought to keep a pleasant expression on my face as Kim spoke. “Sin
ce I didn’t have your number, I called your restaurant and they said you were running at Oglethorpe Park. We’re doing the masquerade again this year before Christmas. Would you be the auctioneer again?” Before Gael had a chance to respond, she continued. “Please. It would mean the world to the children’s charity we are raising money for.”
It was apparent she wasn’t a girlfriend or a love interest as she would have had his number. I sat back infinitesimally into Gael. I knew it was childish as my territorial actions emerged. Kim looked to me and I kept a sweet, innocent look to my face.
“Let me check my schedule, but I think that should work.” I could feel the rumble of Gael’s voice through his body as he spoke.
Kim clapped in that excited girly way. I felt Gael’s arm wrap slightly tighter around me. My breath stuttered.
“Thank you, Gael!” Kim was enthusiastic in her response.
Focusing back on me, Kim pushed her hand out toward me. “I’m Kim Burns.”
Shaking her hand, I responded, “I’m Ashlin Thomas. It’s nice to meet you, Kim.”
She continued to look me over and I kept my friendly face in place. I’m sure she wanted to ask Gael who I was, but I didn’t elaborate and neither did the man sitting next to me. “Okay, well it was nice meeting you, Ashlin.” Kim turned to Gael. “Should I call the restaurant tomorrow to confirm everything, Gael? I could stop by. We could do lunch, maybe dinner.”
“I’ll be working tomorrow morning. I have plans in the afternoon with someone. Calling will be best. Thanks for thinking of me.”
Giving a brilliant smile, Kim enthusiastically responded, “Great. I’ll stop by.”
The woman was exasperating. Kim turned and walked off. I turned my head toward Gael, smirking. “I’d say you have an admirer.”
“Kim seemed more determined than normal.” He scratched his chin with his free hand and raised an eyebrow to me. I innocently shrugged. Gael continued. “It doesn’t matter though. There’s someone else I hope to start seeing.”
Ugh. I wanted to curse myself for being so cavalier with my actions. Of course Gael had someone he was interested in. My patented unaffected look stayed in place. At least I had one thing to thank Harris for—the ability to remain outwardly unaffected in front of people when I focused. The amount of scoldings I received for not being a statue were too many to count. Why did I stay in that relationship for so long?
Standing, I put distance between us and my body felt the loss of heat. “I better head back. Thanks for the company.”
Gael’s brows scrunched for a second as he stood, too. “Thanks for the lunchtime story. What would you say to going on an adventure tomorrow?”
“Adventure?” My damn voice betrayed me as excitement bubbled to the surface. I had never been asked to go on an adventure with someone. It was oddly romantic.
Running his hands through his hair nervous-like, he responded, “Yeah, an adventure. I have something to show you. I think you’d enjoy it since it’s a bit of Savannah history.”