We had gotten to know you each other over those two weeks with the amount of hours we spent talking to each other. In some ways, it seemed like we had known each other longer than three weeks.
“And for dessert we have …” Gael removed the silver dome from a dish. “Fraisiers!”
“Oh, wow. I think that trip to France is totally going to be worth it.” I leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you.”
“You’re more than welcome. You don’t have to keep thanking me for everything I do for you.” Gael took a bite of his French toast.
Pouring a liberal amount of syrup on mine, I responded, “I know, but I never want you to think I’m taking it for granted.”
“I…” He swallowed, looked down at his plate before looking back at me. “It makes me mad as hell knowing what you’ve been put through. I know we haven’t talked about it since I got back, but it doesn’t matter what Harris tries to do to me. Ashlin, I don’t want to keep this quiet. I want us to be a public couple that kisses on the street, holds hands, and makes out against a wall. I want it all.”
The change in subject caused me to put my fork down. “Gael, you don’t need to make me any promises.”
Gael ate as if Harris wasn’t a less palatable conversation. “I don’t care. I mean it, Ashlin. He can try whatever he wants, but I’m not letting you go because some asshole messed up. We’ll fight our way through any storm he throws our way.”
Talking this out was definitely helping. I responded, “I’m glad he messed up, but I hate we’re going to have to go through this with him.”
“His screw-ups are the best thing that could have ever happened. He’ll figure it out eventually.” Gael gave me a wink as he took another bite.
I picked up my fork and started eating again as I silently said a prayer Harris would leave me alone—more importantly leave Gael alone. Changing the subject, I asked. “So what’s on the agenda today?”
“Today is ours. I’m not expected back until tomorrow at my restaurant. I’ll need to go there tomorrow. What would you say to meeting my parents in a couple of days?”
The calm way in which Gael spoke was like he was asking me if I wanted red wine or white wine. My food lodged in my throat and I coughed. Gael handed me a glass of orange juice, rubbing me on the
back while I dislodged the unwanted obstacle.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Gael watched me closely. Silence permeated between the two of us. “We don’t have to. Mom knows I’ve met someone and wanted to see if you’d want to come over for lunch. It’s no rush, Ashlin. If this is too fast, just say so.”
“Umm…I don’t have the best track record with parents.” My voice broke on the last word as my fingers fidgeted with the napkin, refusing to meet Gael’s eyes.
A few seconds passed before Gael responded, “Is this about what they wrote in the article about your dad?”
So many things circled back to my dad. I hated Harris with a passion that he had aired my private past with all who read Page Six of The Post. Bastard. He’d go ballistic if someone leaked that his mother was an alcoholic or that his father had a problem with prostitutes before he died. I could never do that to someone regardless of what they deserved.
“That has a small part to do with it. You read the paper. You know my father killed himself to be with my mother. It’s still hard to wrap my head around that dad didn’t think staying behind and raising me was more important than killing himself. Also, Harris’ parents loathed me. His father thought I was a gold digger and his mother thought I was a tramp. This was all before Harris changed from the money he inherited. His mother encourages his new lifestyle.” Humiliation washed over me as I aired the truth of those memories.
Gael’s fingers came to my chin and guided my head to where we were locked into a stare. His hands came up to each side of my face. “We don’t have to go, but I can assure you that my mother and father are going to love you. I’m sorry for what happened with your father, and Harris’ parents are assholes, like their son. I’ve told mom how I feel about you.”
“You have?” Gael knew how to wash away the inner doubt. He nodded at my statement. “Okay, I’ll go.”
He kissed me hard before releasing me. “Eat up. I’m about to take you back upstairs and lose myself in you.”
Sounded like the perfect plan to me as I finished my breakfast and got lost in the man I was falling for.
Fidgeting my leg as Gael drove to his parents’ house helped mitigate the inner nerves ready to take me hostage and not let go. The last two days we had been inseparable except when Gael worked. I used this time to get further ahead on my projects. Quickly, I was becoming accustomed to being in Gael’s arms while I fell asleep to the beating sound of his heart—true and steady.
“It’s going to be fine, sweetheart. My parents are laid back.”
I only nodded and kept staring out at the window, trying to pick out single blades of grass from the side of the road. We entered a neighborhood.
I am going to be sick. I am going to be sick. I am going to be sick.
The car parked in the driveway of a modest red-bricked home that had black shutters. It looked to be one story and the yard was immaculate. I clutched the door handle for dear life as I thought about feigning an illness so Gael would take me home.
You’re being ridiculous. Stop it, Ashlin. Amelia’s mother loves you.
Remembering how much my best friend’s mom loved me helped quell the nerves.