Chapter 14
Nora: #Believe
I remember everything. Everything.
But it’s easier to pretend it never happened than to deal with the consequences. Call me a coward if you will, but that’s me. I hate dealing with consequences of my stupid actions, especially if it means risking the most important relationship in my life. So yeah, if that makes me a coward, so be it.
To be honest, I don’t want to do this fake dating thing with Gabs. I mean, especially after last night, it might not be the best idea. But he needs it, or else Daphne will make his life hell. And somehow, I don’t like Sophia, even though I’ve never met her.
How can you like or respect a woman who agrees to marry a stranger from another country? Maybe she has her reasons, but till I know them and approve of them, I’ve decided to hate her. Makes it easier for me that way.
So how can I, with a clear conscience, allow my best friend to marry a woman I hate? I can’t. I’ll do everything in my power to help him out, even if it’s a little inconvenient or uncomfortable for me.
Thankfully, Gabs has to go for some weekend retreat somewhere, starting tonight. So he’ll be gone all weekend. Next week is super busy for me and I’m sure for him as well, given that he’s starting his work in his new company where he wants to impress and he’ll also be helping Alex transition into MooreGames. So neither of us is going to have any time.
Then it’s just a matter of a dinner. No big deal. I can pretend to be in a relationship for a few hours if it means some peace of mind for my best friend.
Moreover, one week will help clear my head too. I think it was the alcohol last night that did a number on my brain. And the attraction I felt when I sat beside him on his bed right now? Well, I guess it’s the hangover. I can’t really be attracted to him, can I? He’s my best friend, after all. We’ve known each other since school. How can I suddenly want to kiss him again, feel his arms around me, want him in my bed?
Shit! The thought itself makes my pulse quicken and my stomach go all queasy and fluttery inside.
I need to get a hold of myself. I glance at the clock. Time to get moving. I hear the bathroom door unlock. Guess he’s done. I pick up the clothes I’ve chosen for the day, step out of my room, and stand frozen on the spot.
He’s stepping out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around him. His hair is wet, water dripping down onto his shoulder and making its way down his chiselled chest and to his perfect abs. My eyes follow the drop of water as it slides down to the perfect V below his navel, to the edge of the towel.
Should I brush past him and loosen the towel?
What? What nonsense is my brain thinking? He’s my friend, for Pete’s sake. A hot, sexy friend with an animal magnetism that is almost hypnotic. Ugh! I’m going crazy. Out of my mind. I think I need to go see a therapist.
“Did I take too long?”
“Huh? What? Um. No. I mean, yeah. You did. What’ve you been doing? Playing dress-up?”
Playing dress-up? Really?
He chuckles. “I’m in a towel. You really think I was playing dress up?”
“Whatever. You took so long it sure seemed that way,” I retort, flicking my hair for good measure to show my disdain. I hope I successfully cover the ultra-steamy thoughts that my brain is having right now.
I hurry inside and shut the door as if that act would shut out the thoughts sneaking into my head. I have a quick shower. The sooner we’re among other people, the better.
Gabs drops me off at MooreGames on his way to his new office. We talk little during the drive. I’m busy scrolling through my social media and emails while he’s humming along with the music he’s playing, some sad French song that he says will help him improve his command of the language.
I’m busy most of the day, but I find my mind occasionally drifting to the kiss. I wonder if it was the booze that made me think I felt so aroused by it. I need to stop drinking. Maybe I’m becoming like Eva, who can’t hold more than a few beer pints down.
Thankfully, Eva is out for some meetings and Lily is busy at her dance studio, so I don’t have to deal with any pestering questions from anyone who knows me too well and will know that something is going on in this dirty brain of mine.
I take a cab back to Gabs’ condo in the evening. He must’ve already left for his retreat. It’s weird, but though most of them live in Boston, they’ve still decided that everyone in the Executive Team of this new office will stay at some hotel. Good for me, though. I’m not sure I can trust myself around him today.
I’m sitting on the couch, eating some Chinese and reading a book on my Kindle, when I hear my phone ping. An unknown number.
“Hi. Clark here. From the bar.”
“Hey. How did the surgery go?”
“It was good. And I’m glad you remembered.”
I don’t feel like continuing the conversation right now. Rather, I can’t understand what to talk to him about. Maybe I need alcohol in my system to get my brain whirring. I pick up my book when the screen lights up again. This time it’s Gabs. I smile as I read his message.
“How was your day? I’m bored to death. Major disconnect between the local team and the people from Paris.”
“You’re in the perfect place, then. To be the link or the bridge. My day was fine. By the way, Clark from the bar just messaged me.”
A message from Clark pops up again. “Dinner tomorrow? At Tim’s Italy? At, say 7?”
I don’t know what to reply. Normally I’d ask Gabs, but… well, I can ask him.
Gabs : “Glad at least one of us had a ‘fine’ day. Bridge! Hah! What does Clark want? That lunch date? You should go.”
“Actually dinner. I’ll say yes then. And I think you can really act as the bridge there. Don’t sell yourself short.”
To Clark, I reply: “Sure. See you there at 7.” He immediately responds with a thumbs-up.
Gabs: “The local team thinks I’m an entitled ass and the Paris team thinks I’m inexperienced. None of them trust me or respect my views.”
“Yet! They don’t respect your views, YET. Show them. Be confident and, most importantly, trust your ideas. You have good ones. Believe in yourself the way I believe in you.”
I type “I miss you,” and then delete it before sending. I write it often to him, but somehow I feel more conscious now.
I text him a hugging emoji before flicking the phone on the couch and taking a few deep breaths. Jesus! If my heart goes on an overdrive in just texting him, I’m going to get a heart attack soon. I need to get a hold of myself. Maybe meeting up with Clark will put an end to these stupid feelings. Maybe Clark can make me forget that kiss.
The screen lights up again.
“You have fun tomorrow. And thanks, Nora. I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out.”
As I press send, I remember the day of our school elections. The gymnasium was packed with students, all buzzing with excitement. Banners and posters adorned the walls, and the air was thick with the promise of change. Gabs was running for student council president, and I was his campaign manager.
I found him backstage, pacing nervously. His usually confident demeanor was replaced by uncertainty, his shoulders were tense, and his hands were clenched into fists.
“Gabs,” I called out, stepping closer. He looked up, his eyes filled with doubt.
“I don’t know if I can do this, Nora,” he confessed, his voice shaky. “What if I mess up? What if they don’t believe in me?”
I placed a hand on his arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Listen to me. You’ve got this. You have great ideas. They will believe you if you have faith in yourself.”
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “But what if I forget my speech? What if I freeze?”
I shook my head, smiling warmly. “You won’t. You’re Gabriel, the guy who stands up for what’s right, who always has everyone’s back. Just speak from your heart. Believe in yourself the way I believe in you.”
He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Nora.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” I replied, my voice steady and sure. “Now go out there and show them what’s what.”
With one last look into my eyes, he straightened his shoulders and nodded. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
I watched as he walked out onto the stage; the spotlight illuminating his determined face. He started his speech, and I could see the initial tremble in his voice. But as he spoke, his confidence grew. The passion and sincerity in his words captivated everyone in the room. By the time he finished, the entire gymnasium erupted in applause.
I let out a sigh as I remember those days. Simpler times, when we were just friends and when we hadn’t kissed. The kiss that I can’t get out of my mind, that I crave more of.
The kiss that, unless I forget about it, will lead to a broken friendship, something I know I can’t survive.