Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
GAbrIEL
“ H ow’s Leah doing? Has she settled in, okay?” Caleb asks.
I freeze at my brother’s question. It’s been a week since Leah moved upstairs, or in, or whatever I want to call it. My conversation with Mark was unhelpful, to say the least. I know I could live with him because I did. That wasn’t my point. But then again, I’m not sure what my point is any more. I’m used to being in control of my thoughts, feelings, and actions. A certain communications officer has uprooted my life on a monster scale. And now Caleb is asking after her.
What’s with all his interest in Leah?
I want to ignore him, but I don’t.
“She’s settled in fine. I don’t see her, apart from at the office,” I lie, squeezing my eyes shut in case he calls me out on it. I still haven’t told him about the flood or about our dinner arrangements. I don’t want or need him ribbing me or reading things into it.
I know Caleb. He will probably try to snag himself an invitation and the thought of that. Not happening .
“Not surprising,” he says, shrugging. “It’s a big place.”
He should know. He’s the person whose company designed and built it.
My mind wanders back to last week.
When I finally made it down to the pool for my early morning swim. I found Leah swimming laps in an otherwise empty pool. I stood for a moment before I eased myself into the water, submerging myself before swimming the entire length underwater, popping up next to her and grabbing her waist. Leah shrieked before turning in my arms and splashing me, her laughter filling the air. Suddenly aware of her close proximity, I let go, pushing backwards.
Shit, what was I thinking.
“God, you scared me,” she says, splashing another round of water in my face. I’m relieved to see her smile.
I return it with a grin of my own, the tension leaving my shoulders. I wipe the droplets away. We’re still the only two people in the pool, which is not surprising as it’s just gone five am.
“You’re up early,” I say. “I’m usually the only one here.”
Leah grins. “I needed a wake-up. I used to go to the gym all the time before work when—” She stops herself. “Anyway, I saw the pool last night and decided it looked too tempting to pass up.”
I can’t fault her there. Caleb’s architect did an amazing job designing the pool area. It’s unusual to have a pool this size in an apartment block. But El Castillo is not just any block.
“I agree. I swim in the mornings and hit the gym on weekends.”
I’m unsure why I’m telling her my schedule.
“Speaking of swimming. I want to get in a few more lengths,” Leah says, grinning before pushing herself away from the side.
I watch her for a second as her body cuts through the water. Her form is impeccable, a clear sign she was a swimmer in her younger years. I set off after her, my larger frame and strength meaning I do about two lengths to her one. We continue. I’m impressed with her stamina .
“I’m done.”
Leah’s voice echoes over the water, so the next time I touch the side, I bring myself to a stop. I shake my head to clear my eyes.
I notice Leah haul herself out of the water, her arms take her weight as she lifts herself. Her toned arm muscles ripple, her waist bending as she pulls her feet under her and stands. My eyes travel up her smooth calves, toned thighs, and stop at the swell of her ass, suddenly remembering how it felt to have my hands on her waist. I drop my head forward so as not to be caught gawping. Leah’s black swimsuit leaves little to the imagination.
“Are you coming?” she says. She grabs her towel from one of the loungers around the pool and wrings out her hair.
“No. I’ll just do a couple more lengths.”
She gives me a strange look, her eyes flick to the enormous clock on the wall. “No worries, I’ll see you at the office.”
I’m going to be late, but leaving the pool in her presence is out of the question. The hard-on I’m sporting, despite the cool temperature of the water, is not something I can hide.
“See you at work,” I say, pushing off.
I pound the water as I try to get my mind and body under control. It’s clear I’ve been too long between dates. Something I need to rectify before my sudden infatuation with Leah becomes too much.
“Gabriel. Have you heard a word I’ve said?” Caleb asks, as he pulls me back into the present.
“No, sorry, I was miles away.” Realising my mistake too late.
“You appear distracted, brother,” Caleb mutters.
I humph at him.
“Don’t humph. What were you thinking about that had you so engrossed?” he asks.
“Swimming,” I blurt.
“What?” Caleb sounds truly confused, although I’m not sure why. Swimming was a common activity for all of us during our early years and teens. Elijah even earned a spot at the Olympics.
“I remembered I need to pick up some new swim shorts.”
“Whatever,” Caleb says. “I swear, brother, you’re becoming stranger and stranger with every passing year.”
“And from you, I shall take that as a compliment,” I say. “And now I really have to get back to work.”
When he leaves, I slump back in my chair. That was last week, before she was living with me. Before I came home to find her sound asleep on the sofa, her hand tucked under her cheek, her thick eyelashes framed against her pale skin. She looked so comfortable curled up in a ball. Instead of waking her, I grabbed one of the replacement throws and covered her up with it. It was then I observed her laptop perched precariously by her feet, prompting me to move it.
“Hey buddy,” Mark’s voice comes across the line. “I don’t hear from you in two months, and then two calls in two weeks. I’m honoured.”
“What should I do?” I say, knowing my tone is frantic, but my lack of sleep is affecting me in more ways than one. “I need advice.”
Mark’s voice softens, but his amusement is clear. “Okay. I can try,” he says, pausing. “But you may need to rewind a few steps and tell me what you need advice on.”
“Artificial Insemination.”
“Pardon? Hang on. What?”
“I said, artificial insemination.”
“I heard you the first time.” Mark pauses before adding. “My brain isn’t on the same genius level as yours. I need you to back up and slow down. ”
I’ve tossed and turned with the knowledge I uncovered for several days. I’ve not wanted to broach it with Leah, but...
“Breathe, Gabriel,” Mark’s voice comes over the phone, his amusement clear.
“I’m not sure why I bother,” I grouch.
“Me neither, but then again, here you are. Now start at the very beginning.”
“Leah’s looking into artificial insemination. I think she wants to have a baby,” I say, almost relieved to be finally saying it out aloud.
Silence descends on the other end of the line.
“Did you hear me?” I ask.
“I heard you. What I want to know is, why are you so rattled?”
“If she has a baby, she’ll leave,” I say.
“But wasn’t she engaged? That was always likely to be the case.” I hate it when practical-Mark steps in.
“It was, but when her engagement ended.”
“People’s dreams don’t die just because an engagement ends. Didn’t you say Leah is thirty-four?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe she feels her biological clock is ticking, and she doesn’t want to wait around. Rely on the right man turning up,” he says. “One of Jen’s friends has just gone down this path. A similar situation to Leah, with a broken engagement.”
I listen.
“She’s going to co-parent. She’s met a guy through an agency, and together they are about to become parents. They are not a couple, but they will share joint custody of their child.”
“What?” I stare at my phone in shock. The thought of Leah having a baby with a complete stranger. No!
“I know. There are multiple agencies helping couples come together. Like dating sites, but different. There are as many men out there who want a child as women but, like their female counterparts, can’t find the right one. This solves a problem.”
“People do that?”
“Jen’s friend has. Maybe you could mention it to Leah?”
“Over my dead body,” I hiss. “I’m not encouraging Leah to have and raise a child with a stranger.”
Mark laughs again. “But that’s the beauty. They got to know one another over months. They became friends. Really good friends before they decided to try for a child.”
“Sounds weird.” A feeling of unease travels up my spine.
Could Leah go down this path?
“To you, maybe.” Mark pauses again. “Am I missing something?” he says eventually. “You like Leah? You want her to be happy?” he asks, making my heckles rise.
“Of course I do. She deserves to be happy, especially after everything she’s been through. It’s just...”
I’m not sure how to word what I’m feeling. Is it wrong of me not to want Leah pregnant with some stranger’s baby? Struggling as a single mum to raise a child alone. I think back to the picture she had of her mum, dad and her as a child. She grew up in a loving family environment.
“It’s just what, Gabriel?” Mark pushes.
“I worry. Raising a child alone is difficult. She clearly wants a baby. She mentioned her ex kept putting it off. She was devastated when he told her his new girlfriend was pregnant.”
It’s then I realise I’ve missed a major sign.
“I can hear your brain ticking all the way down under,” Mark says dryly.
“Sorry,” I say, my brain running at a hundred miles an hour. “I just had a realisation.”
“That’s good. Care to share?” Mark adds.
“She wants a family,” I state .
I hear a slap on the other end of the phone, followed by a groan. I stare at the phone in my hand and frown. What just happened?
“Sorry,” Mark says. “So Leah wants a baby. You’re worried about her doing this alone?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Do you like Leah, Gabe?” Mark presses. “Do you trust her? Think she’ll be a great mum?”
“As close as anyone I know,” I say.
Trust is not something I give easily, and Mark knows that.
“High accolade from you, my friend.” Mark chuckles.
“I like her. She doesn’t annoy me the way most people do. A female version of you.”
I think about how we’ve been living together for the past two weeks and not once have I resented her presence. I have sat and chatted to her instead of disappearing into my office.
“I take it there have been no issues since she moved in?” Mark asks.
I know it’s early days, but usually two days in and my grandmother always used to state, “ Visitors and fish stink after three days. ”
For me, that is definitely true.
I hold the phone away from my ear. Leah walks past my office door and smiles. I left her a note this morning, needing time and space between us.
“I have to go,” I say to him. “Leah’s just come in.”
“You know I’m here if you need me,” Mark says quietly. “Can I just ask you to think, long and hard, before you make any decisions?”
I pause. My friend actually does know me better than I know myself. The crushing pain in my chest has eased.
“How?”
Mark chuckles. “Gabriel, I’ve been your friend for twelve years. I am, apart from Caleb, probably one of the few people who truly knows you.” He sighs. “It sounds like Leah may be on her way to joining us.” He pauses before adding, “Leah may not be interested. If she says no, she’s not rejecting you.”
I freeze.
What? No?
“You’ve got the wrong end of the stick,” I blurt out.
Leah and I -no. Hell no. But...
My brain whirls again. Mark is supposed to help, not make things worse.
Mark chuckles again, and I grit my teeth to stop myself from telling him to fuck off.
It won’t be the first time, but then I think back. I may have uttered those words, but Mark is rarely wrong. No, this time he is.
“You’re mistaken,” I say.
“We’ll see. Anyway, Josh wants me. Daddy duty calls. Call me anytime and let me know what you decide.”
I humph at his words, which makes him outright laugh.
“Give my godson a cuddle,” I say.
“I will do. Take care and don’t be a stranger. Jen sends her love.”
“Back at her,” I say, hanging up the phone.
I lean back in my chair and stare at the ceiling. A knock on my door has me looking up.