Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
GAbrIEL
Iwaited in Charlotte’s driveway, leaning against the hood of my car as the afternoon sun pressed down; it was unseasonably warm for fall.
It had been twenty-three minutes since her text had come through. A simple sentence hitting like a sledgehammer.
“It’s done.”
I’d stared at the text, trying to imagine her mood when she’d sent it. Relief? Anger? Sadness? Maybe all three emotions.
The moment her car turned onto the street, something in my chest eased, but only barely. I needed to find out how she was before I could completely relax.
She parked in the driveway, sat there for a beat, before stepping out, her movements deliberate, as if every muscle in her body was still holding on to the adrenaline of the day.
“Hi,” she whispered as she walked toward me.
One word. Simple. But I felt it all the way down to my toes.
“Hi,” I managed, my voice rougher than I meant it to be. She was the epitome of a professional, dressed in a cream-colored pantsuit and heels. I’d never met anyone so strong, steady, and utterly breathtaking. And after all the drama she’d walked through today, she still carried herself with grace.
“So.” I let a grin tug at the corner of my mouth. “Anything interesting happen today?”
Her laugh was soft. “You could say that.”
When she stepped into my arms, the rest of the world melted away. Her head settled against my chest, and I found myself hard-pressed to ever let go.
“Any regrets?” I asked quietly.
She tilted her face up to mine, her eyes bright with something fierce. “None. You?”
I brushed a strand of hair from her cheek and smiled. “Not a single one.”
Although I was dying to hear every detail about the showdown with Julian, the owners’ reactions, and which clients and Arrow employees were following her to Chambers Tech, right now, I wanted the moment to be solely about us. About her standing here, after wading through the fire.
Still, I knew her mind was already spinning ahead to the pending article in The New York Times, to her new role, to everything waiting for her come Monday when we officially started at Chambers Tech.
“Let me help you with your boxes,” I offered, reluctantly stepping back.
“Then feel free to put me to work. I’m sure you have calls to return, emails to answer—”
“Mm,” she interrupted, lips curving. “You can help me with these boxes. But after we unload, the only thing I’d like for you to do is run home and grab your passport and a suitcase.
Swimsuits, sandals, whatever you need for a beach weekend.
Because I just spoke with a travel agent on the way home, and she’s holding two tickets to Cabo. We can leave tonight.”
I slow blinked. “Seriously?”
“You said you wanted a break with just the two of us.” Her eyes sparkled with adventure. “I checked with your mom to see if it was your weekend with Samantha, and she told me it wasn’t. But if you’d rather wait…”
I laughed, stunned by her spontaneity. “You had me at beach weekend. But are you sure you’re okay stepping away right now? I’d understand if you couldn’t.”
She smiled though a flicker of hesitation softened the edges of it.
“I know it’s only for a few days, and I can’t promise I won’t have to take a few calls or respond to emails from clients and employees wanting to leave Arrow.
Which I guess ruins your fantasy of a long vacation without cell service. ”
There was a note of vulnerability she didn’t show often.
I was reminded she’d spent years with someone who’d done his best to make her feel guilty for combining personal and professional.
Now I reached for her hand and threaded my fingers through hers.
“My fantasy is being anywhere with you. I never want you to feel unsupported in doing what matters to you. And I know you’ll give me the same leniency when it’s my turn. ”
For the first time in my life, I understood what it meant to have a true partner. With Charlotte, I didn’t only have love, I had my person.
By the time our plane touched down in Cabo, the tension which had been taking residence in my shoulders for weeks was gone. The salty air hit the second we stepped outside, warm and alive, and Charlotte’s laughter carried over the hum of taxis and tourists.
We ditched our shoes before even reaching the villa, bare feet on cool tile, ocean wind filtering through the screened door.
She dropped her bag and turned toward the view currently obscured by darkness, but alight with stars in the sky.
I was sure tomorrow morning it would be quite the sight of blue water and sand.
I slid my arms around her waist, pulling her in until our bodies settled into that perfect fit I’d been craving all day. “Thank you.”
She laughed, the sound soft and unguarded. For the first time in too damn long, she appeared completely relaxed. “For what?”
“For knowing we needed this,” I murmured, brushing my thumb along her jaw. “For choosing us, even in the middle of the chaos.”
Her breath hitched, that little tell she gave when emotion crept up on her. I leaned in and kissed her slow, lingering and unhurried because, for the first time ever, we didn’t have to rush.
An hour later, we were tangled in sheets and in each other, somewhere between bliss and hunger as we waited for room service.
She traced slow, lazy circles across my chest. “Are you nervous about working together come Monday?”
“Not a bit. I might actually look forward to our morning and afternoon check-ins.”
She lifted her head, laughing. “Please. You hated those daily meetings.”
“What I hated,” I corrected, landing a soft kiss on her shoulder, “was how attracted I was to you every single time we had them. It was…distracting. And, honestly, a little infuriating.”
“Oh?” she teased, arching a brow. “Infuriating how?”
“Because you were always so damn capable and sharp and composed while I was sitting there trying not to stare at your sexy mouth like a complete idiot.”
Color climbed her cheeks, warm and impossible to hide. “You hid it well. I assumed you couldn’t wait to get away from me.”
I lifted her chin gently so she’d see the truth in my eyes.
“If not for you, I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with my daughter.
I wouldn’t have peace with my parents. And I sure as hell wouldn’t understand how my brothers could be so completely gone for the women they love.
But then I met you…” I paused, letting the words settle.
“And it was like everything shifted. Like my whole damn life went from black and white to full technicolor the moment you walked into it. I love you, Charlotte. Today, tomorrow, and at the risk of freaking you out, forever. You’re it for me. Endgame.”
Her breath caught, her lips parting like the words were there but needed a heartbeat to form. She cupped my face with both hands, her touch gentle but sure. “Gabriel…you have no idea what you’ve given me.”
I stilled, letting her speak.
“You showed me what it feels like to have a partner show up and say ‘I’m in this with you.’ And in the process, you taught me what was important.
” Her voice wavered, but her eyes were clear and steady.
“You’re the first person who’s ever dared to love all of me.
Thinking of my future, I can’t imagine you not in it. ”
My heart damn near burst.
She leaned in, her lips brushing mine. “I love you, Gabriel. Completely. Ridiculously. Unapologetically.”
I exhaled a shaky laugh against her mouth, rolling her beneath me gently, and kissing her like I finally had everything I’d ever wanted.