“Seriously, Gabrielle? Are you fucking serious right now? You want to know the truth? I felt guilty because you regretted what happened. You, Gabby. Not me. I loved every second of it and I was so happy to finally think we could make something of us again, but no, you go and tell me it was a mistake and you blamed it on the alcohol, making me feel like the biggest bastard on the face of this earth. The reason I didn’t text you back was because I was trying to let you go. I can’t do this anymore, Gabrielle. I can’t be your friend. I want more. I want you. I want us. A real relationship like we had.”

“How can you sit there and tell me that with your girlfriend outside?”

“She’s not my girlfriend!” he shouted. “She’s my cousin, Marcella. God, Gabrielle, is that what you thought this whole time?” He walked closer to me as one tear escaped my eye.

I nodded my head because I couldn’t speak.

He took hold of my hand and gently wiped my tear with his thumb. “She had breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy when she was thirty. She’s thirty-five now and that was her event we were at. I’m a huge supporter and made a very generous donation.”

Oh shit, did I feel like an ass now. “I’m sorry. I thought—”

“That explains your behavior. If only you would have asked me about her that night in Vegas. I’m sorry, Gabrielle, and you may not want to hear this, but I am so in love with you. I thought the whole friendship thing could work, but I was wrong. You complete my life, baby. You fill the void that’s been inside me all these years. You and nobody else.” He softly stroked my face. “I love you so much.”

I looked up into his beautiful blue eyes. “I love you too, Simon.”

He smiled at me and leaned closer, brushing his lips over mine. “I want nothing more than to fuck you right here and now, but we better get back to the party before people come looking for us. Tell me you’ll spend the night tonight.”

“Of course I will. I want nothing more.”

He kissed me again and ran his hand up the back of my dress, cupping my ass. “Damn you and that perfect ass.”

I laughed as he put his arm around me and we went back to the party.

“Do you think the swans shit in my pool?”

“Probably.” I smiled.

“Great. Just great.”

Chapter 36

One Month Later

We pulled up to Simon’s house and he grabbed the box from the back seat. When we walked in the house, I saw Greta and Marty in the living room.

“What’s going on here?” I asked as I looked at Simon.

“I figured the house could use a little feng shui.”