Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Gabriel
It barely took him twenty minutes to handle a few small things and shoot off a text, but he gave Eris more than an hour of looking before he went to find her.
He’d seen the way her eyes drank in the designs of his home, her interest in his residence spurring him to give her plenty of time alone before he interrupted.
Once he had his sights set on her, he fully intended to fulfill her fantasies again.
He didn’t have to prowl around the house to find her, and he had her favorite mask propped up on top of his head instead of wearing it around.
The sounds of unfamiliar voices caught his attention, along with static, and it only took a few seconds to put together that she was on a phone call.
She was in one of the rooms toward the end of the southern hall, and he made his way in that direction.
Curious to discover who she was talking to, he leaned against the wall and peeked around the corner instead of sneaking in to play with her.
Eris had her phone propped against a book, but he couldn’t make out the screen.
She was currently standing on a chair, a cup in her hand, and she appeared to be trying to revive one of his houseplants.
The maid service that rotated through biweekly usually took care of that, but he could see the sorry state the plants were in compared to the greenery curated by the Ranch.
“I say go for it,” the voice said, carrying through the phone. He didn’t know who this could be, but he recalled vague mention of both a sister and a close friend. “Things grow in Montana, right? Get another plant job.”
“It’s called a nursery,” Eris replied, stretching up on her toes to reach the next plant.
It wasn’t the best placement for plants, but until right this moment, watching her teeter on a chair, he hadn’t thought much about it.
The housekeeping team had someone tall enough to handle it, and he tensed, just in case she slipped in that precarious state.
“Jobs come and go, Eris,” the other person said, a playful tone to her voice. “Guys who make you cream are forever.”
“Vivian!”
He bit his lip to keep from laughing. Eris abandoned the plant to jump down from the chair. He leaned back a bit, but her attention wasn’t on him as Vivian continued speaking. “Eris, stop being daft. You went back to Montana a second time for a chance to see him.”
“No.” There was an adorable pout in her voice, and Gabriel peeked around the corner again. She had her back to him, tapping her foot against the ground. “I came back for my fantasy.”
“Which includes him.”
Eris huffed but didn’t refute it. “Did you secretly go talk to Tara while I’ve been gone? I don’t remember ever telling you the… details about my experience.”
“Hon, you know I read the email you sent. And yes, Tara texted me. We have a bet going on how long it’ll take you to fold and extend your trip.”
“That isn’t going to happen!” she shrieked.
“Oh, sure, keep saying that,” Vivian replied, still snickering. “You don’t want to come home, and we all know it. Hell, Mom and Dad know it. The only one who won’t admit it is you.”
Eris was quiet for a moment, and he wished he could study her face.
Forcing himself to remain against the wall, he fought down the urge to go in there and claim her.
She needed to finish this pivotal phone call if he hoped for a good outcome.
It sounded like Vivian was her sister, and maybe Eris needed someone to spell it out in order for her to see what Gabriel already believed he knew.
They should be together. Last time didn’t work out, but now they were in the right place, right time. He didn’t intend to give up on that hope.
“What if I’m making it all up in my head?” she said quietly, almost to the point he couldn’t hear her. “There’s a chance that this connection is forced on my end, and I’m creating ties that aren’t really there.”
That damn self-doubt is always getting the best of her, Gabriel mentally mused.
“You’re in his house,” Vivian huffed. “Don’t pretend it doesn’t mean something. Your doubts might cloud your judgment, but if he’s willing to let you walk around like you own the place, that’s a sign. Does he need to paint a target so you get the point?”
“I’m not that dense.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Vivian sighed. “All the signs are there. You guys connected after more than a year apart, and if this isn’t fated love, then I simply don’t believe in it. Stop holding yourself back and go get your man. Or, let him get you. However being chased is supposed to work.”
Eris snorted, straightening up. Gabriel did too, sensing the end of the call, and his heart swelled at her next words. “He’ll get me. But, I think this time, I might let him keep me when he catches me.”