“I hear ya. I know you’re right.”
She cleared her throat and sounded cheery, which boosted my inner thoughts. “Now, tell me all about Gael. I want to like him, too.”
The memories of Gael and how we met were fun to talk about. I savored them as I retold Amelia how we met.
It was evening and I was exhausted. Through the afternoon, I had been able to stop worrying. But now, lying in bed alone, I fathomed what Harris might possibly do. Maybe he would decide I wasn’t worth it. The Post article was supposed to run tomorrow and I hoped he didn’t force my hand to make the announcement. Anytime someone dealt with the media, you opened yourself for negative criticism and public half-truths.
I still hadn’t heard from Gael and missed him. The phone ringing had me yelping in surprise. Apprehensively, I glanced at the screen. Gael.
My anxious fingers nearly caused me to dismiss instead of accept the call. “Hey, you landed.”
“I did. I’m walking to baggage claim. Chef François is meeting us there, so I only have a few minutes.” Gael sounded tired.
“How was your—” We spoke at the same time, then laughed. Hearing him calmed my nerves.
“You go first,” I insisted.
The intercom for the airport sounded in the background. It was in French as Gael tried to drown it out. “Flight was good. I got to sleep. I dreamed of you the entire time. Now tell me about your day. It’s been too long and I want to hear your voice.”
Scooting further down in the bed, I wrapped myself in this moment as I snuggled with my blankets. “Started my day off with a note from an amazing man. I had an incredible lunch from a thoughtful guy. Thought about a terrific guy all day long while I worked. That sums up the good parts of my day.”
I could hear Gael chuckling on the other end. “He sounds like the most incredible guy that could be out there. The ultimate of all the male species. You better not let him go.”
“I couldn’t agree more. He’s out of the country or I’d let you speak to him. He’s cooking with some fancy schmancy chef.”
Banter between us came naturally and helped fortify the foundation of what we were building. The thought of Harris ruining this had me internally screaming.
“Anything else happen? It sounds like you may have had some bad parts to your day.”
Gael was perceptive. I hated that he was an ocean away, but I refused to ever be anything but honest.
Taking a deep breath, I began with the Cliffs Notes version of the Harris debacle. Someone spoke English in foreign accent and I could hear the phone muffle as Gael responded on the other end. “Sorry about that. Someone asked the way to baggage claim. Of course, it’s fine to tell people we’re seeing each other. I plan on shouting it from the rooftops.” He cleared his throat. “I hate you’re having to deal with Harris while I’m out of the country. If Harris bothers you again, tell him who I am. I’d rather him try to bother me than you. Are you okay?”
Gael was concerned about me and that flutt
ery feeling reemerged in my stomach. I still wanted to protect Gael from having to get involved in my personal drama. “I’m okay. I knew this would be a process, but had hoped he wouldn’t know I was seeing anyone to make it easier to cut ties. Don’t take this wrong, Gael. Please, hear me out.”
“Okay.” His voice was apprehensive.
Quickly, I continued on to hopefully squelch any worry. “I’d prefer for him not to know who you are until you get back. I don’t want him causing problems with you and Chef François or at your restaurant while you’re not here. Harris is drama and I want to keep you from it as much as possible. I don’t want to be the high-maintenance girlfriend from the get-go and—”
Cutting me off, Gael spoke. “Ashlin, first off, Harris can try to come after me, but he won’t succeed. My only concern is you. That’s it. You’re not high maintenance, sweetheart. Don’t think that. You can’t help you have a bastard of an ex-boyfriend. I have a chance with you and I’m not backing down because of some self-entitled maniac. I can’t blame Harris for fighting for you. I’d go down swinging, too, if I thought I was losing you.”
I was stunned into silence.
“Ashlin, are you still there?”
“Yes.”
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“Are you upset?”
“No.”
Gael’s words still replayed in my head and I wanted to kick around in excitement. The powerful words were intoxicating.