Epilogue
Nora: #ReelingInLove
I t’s been over six months since our trip to Paris. Gabs’ presentation went very well, and they allowed him to start the online business and services with his team in Boston. They launched it a month ago, and so far it’s picking up well.
My followers have doubled since the TruthSeekerBob debacle. In fact, I often get offers from clothing and make-up brands to post reviews about them or feature their clothes in my reels and photos. I’m seriously thinking about it too.
For now, however, I’ve only used my ‘influencer’ status to help an NGO that works for women who suffer domestic abuse to raise some money. It worked great and so many of my followers came forward to help. I even roped in Gabs’ and Sophia’s companies, along with MooreGames, to put part of their CSR funds into it. It felt good. All this social media craze was finally used to benefit real people in need.
Apparently our engagement photo on top of the Eiffel Tower (OMG, that was so amazing and I’m super grateful for the person who took that iconic pic for us) became one of the most viral pics of this year so far. We’ve got it framed and put in our condo. Yup, I’m still living with Gabs in the condo.
Six months came and went and I am officially Gabs’ only girlfriend who has lasted this long. I hope for it to continue. There was no six-month itch. The way things are going, I don’t think there’ll be a six-year itch as well. Hashtag Fingers-Crossed. Hashtag Still-Reeling-In-Love.
Mamie has changed her will. She’s quite nice once you get to know her and we get along pretty well. I’ve not seen a bigger social media addict in her age group. And she’s everywhere, on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X, TikTok, just everywhere.
In our second meeting, soon after Gabs and I solidified our relationship on the Eiffel Tower, she told us the truth about TruthSeekerBob. It was her. She blackmailed the man. I mean, this woman can do anything.
“I knew who could’ve given you the information about my involvement in paying Kevin for the recording. It had to be Dupont. I know him, and I know he does a spectacularly detailed job. So, all I had to do was reach out to him and ask for what he had found out about TruthSeekerBob. In a matter of minutes, I had the information I needed and then all it took was an email to get that apology out of him,” she said, super proud of what she’d done.
She’s an adorable doll as long as she’s on your side, and the scary doll when she’s on the other side, the one that reminds you of horror movies.
My phone rings. Lily! Shit.
“Hey,” I say, jumping up from the couch where I’ve been daydreaming and playing with my engagement ring.
“You ordered grilled salmon for today, right?”
“Yes, I did. I know it’s Eva’s favorite,” I reply.
Lily blows some kisses. “You’re the best, Nora. It completely slipped my mind while planning the menu.”
“Yup. Mine too. I realized only last night. So I ordered Ryan to cook it and keep it ready.”
Lily chuckles. “That’s good thinking. Also, her dad called me and asked me about the baby shower. I had to tell him. He wanted to come.”
“What?”
“Yeah. Thankfully, Alex stepped up, and he invited him home today. So we’ve averted that problem, too. What else?”
“Lily! Breathe. It’s okay. It’s a small party, and it’s about making Eva happy. She doesn’t need it to be perfect. So, relax. We got this. I’ll be there shortly, okay?”
“Okay. And did you think about the other thing?”
“Yes. I did.”
“And?”
“I’m in.”
“Yay! Greece is calling! See you soon, girl. I’m super excited.”
As soon as I disconnect, I set about getting get dressed. It’s Eva’s baby shower, after all. Yeah, Lily and I have finally gotten to it, a little late, but we’re happy we could make it happen before the baby is born. I know. That’s the low expectation we have from ourselves.
First, there was a new product launch for schools that Eva was overseeing and Eva had no time. Then Gabs and I were in Paris for some time and so I was unavailable. Then Lily had her thing with a new studio location. With all our busy schedules, we’ve not been able to find time to throw her a baby shower. She’s due any day now and the classic Eva is still working.
I’m going to become an aunt, and strangely enough, I’m not freaked out by it. To tell you the truth, I’m looking forward to the baby.
We’ve been having double dates and sometimes triple dates with Eva, Ryan, Lily, and Alex. Lily has Gabs convinced that a couple’s honeymoon is the best thing. Now, both of them have been pestering Alex and me to agree to it. They’re getting married in four months and want us to marry close to that! I mean, seriously?
From not wanting to be in a relationship at all, to wanting to get married so soon, Gabs has come a long way. For that matter, so have I.
So do I believe in soulmates now? Maybe not. I don’t think Gabs and I are soulmates because we are one soul—he and I.
I’m almost ready now, in a green skirt and beige blouse, when I hear the door opening.
I hurry out. “Hey, honey,” I say, giving Gabs a long, sensual kiss.
“Wow! Do you want to be late for the shower you’re throwing? Because if you kiss me like that, there’s no way I’m letting you go, babe.”
I chuckle. “I’ve been thinking.”
He raises his eyebrows, a little tensed. “Is everything okay?”
I smile. “Of course. I was thinking, let’s zero down on Greece.”
“What?”
“For the couple’s honeymoon. With Alex and Lily. After their marriage here, we can go to Paris. Mamie and Daphne want to arrange everything for our big day, so it only makes sense that Lily has hers first because they’ll be doing the arrangements themselves and we can help them with that. Then we can all fly to Paris. Eva should also be okay to fly by then for our marriage. Later, the four of us can go on to Greece.”
His eyes go wide. I swear if they go any wider, they might pop right out of their sockets. “Are you serious? Don’t joke to me about this, Nora. Please.”
“I’m serious, honey. Ask Mamie or Daphne. I’ve already spoken to them.”
He jumps forward and hugs me, lifts me up in his arms, and swirls me around.
“Oh babe, this is the happiest I’ve been. Maybe second happiest. The first was definitely on the Eiffel Tower when you said ‘yes’. Jesus. I have to tell Lily.”
“Sure, go ahead. She might already know, though. I’m leaving now.”
“Hey, you can’t leave me now. Not after giving me this news. I can’t let you go.”
He peers into my eyes. “I’m the happiest man on Earth, maybe the entire universe. And that’s because of you. You make me happy even when times are tough. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. What did I do to deserve you, Nora? You’re the sexiest woman in the entire universe.”
He pulls me closer and I feel the warm, full-body bliss that I’m still not used to. It feels like stepping into the sunshine from the shade on a chilly winter day.
His eyes are fixed on me. He licks his lower lip and bends a little so I can feel his breath on my face. I lift myself on my toes and bridge the gap between our lips. A tiny little kiss before I leave for the party I’m part-organizing.
“Liar,” I whisper, pulling back. “You’ve been with hundreds of sexier women.”
He tilts his head, his eyes twinkling, never leaving my face for a moment, a grin on his lips. It’s teasing, taunting, a promise of something wicked glinting in his eye. “I’ve been with women. Hundreds? You think too highly of me, my love. But, to me,” he brings his mouth close to my ears and whispers, “no one… not one … is sexier than you. Not even close.”
He reels me in and our bodies crush together. The next instant, his lips are on mine and he kisses me. Hard. His hand is on my back, his mouth opens, deepening the kiss.
He grabs my hips and walks me backward till my back is against the wall. I pull his shirt out of his trousers and my hands move inside, rubbing his back. He moans into my mouth as my fingers touch his skin.
“I still can’t get enough of you, Nora. Every time that you touch me, it’s as if it’s the first time. I love you, babe. So much.”
“I love you, Gabs,” I say before my mouth finds his again, hungry for more, not willing to let go for even a second.
We stumble toward the bedroom and I hastily message Lily I’ll be late by fifteen minutes. I’m sure they’ll understand. I shimmy out of my skirt as he takes off his pants and we both jump into the bed. Firsts have to be celebrated. It’s the first day we’ve both agreed to get married.
THE END