Chapter 14
Gabriel
As soon as the dessert plates are cleared, I start calculating how much longer we have to sit here before it’s socially acceptable to leave.
But Marshall saves me the trouble. He sets down his espresso cup and looks at Blaine with that easy smile he puts on when he’s being polite.
“This has been great, but we should get going. I have an early start tomorrow on the garden work.”
Relief floods through me. Thank God.
“Oh no, you can’t leave yet,” Vanessa says, her voice pitched high with protest. She reaches across the table as if she’s going to physically stop us. “It’s still early. We haven’t even had digestifs.”
Blaine nods, gesturing to the house. “I have a bottle of limoncello I’ve been saving. Made from lemons grown right here on the property.”
Marshall’s smile doesn’t waver. “That’s very kind, but I really do need to get back. The supply crew is coming at seven, and I need to be there to direct them.”
“Surely they can manage without you for an extra hour,” Blaine says.
“I’d rather not risk it.”
I’m already pushing my chair back when Vanessa stands abruptly, her hand shooting out to grip my elbow.
“Actually, Gabriel, before you go, I wanted to show you something upstairs.” Her fingers dig into my arm through my shirt sleeve.
“It’ll only take a moment. I’ve been meaning to ask your professional opinion about the guest room.
The designer did something I absolutely hate, and I’d love your input on how to fix it. ”
I look at Marshall, trying to communicate my desperation through eye contact alone. Save me. Don’t let her drag me away. But Vanessa is already pulling me toward the house, her grip surprisingly strong for someone who looks like she survives on white wine and Pilates.
“It’ll just be a minute,” Vanessa calls over her shoulder to Marshall. “Felicity, darling, why don’t you show Marshall the garden? We just had new lighting installed last month.”
Felicity brightens and moves toward Marshall. I watch him glance between me and Vanessa, his jaw tightening, but what can he do?
Vanessa tows me through the house and up the curved staircase. We reach the second floor, and she pulls me down a hallway and pushes open the door at the end, gesturing me inside.
The guest room is huge, with white furniture, pale blue accents, and windows overlooking the lake. It’s tasteful, expensive, and there’s nothing obviously wrong with it.
Vanessa steps in behind me and leans against the doorframe, blocking my exit. She crosses her arms and studies me with an expression I can’t read.
“So,” I say, turning slowly to face her. “What did you want to show me?”
“There’s no design issue.” Her voice is matter-of-fact. “I wanted to talk to you about something else.”
My stomach drops. “Okay.”
She pushes off the doorframe and takes a few steps into the room, maintaining distance but making it clear I’m not leaving until she’s done. “Gabriel, I know about you and Blaine.”
The room tilts. For a second I can’t breathe, can’t think, can’t do anything but stand there and try not to panic. Is this where she kills me? Wraps my body in a rug and dumps me in the lake?
“I—” My voice comes out strangled. I clear my throat and try again. “Mrs. Ashford—”
“Vanessa.” She holds up a hand. “And before you spiral into a full panic attack, let me be clear: I don’t mind.”
I stare at her. The words don’t register. They’re in English, but they might as well be in another language for all the sense they make.
“What?”
“I don’t mind,” Vanessa repeats. She walks to the bed and sits on the edge, crossing her legs. “I’ve known about my husband’s preferences for a long time.”
I continue staring, my brain refusing to process this. She knows. And she doesn’t care.
Vanessa examines her manicured nails, casual, as if we’re discussing the weather.
“Blaine has been cheating on me for decades. It’s not like I’m with him out of love, honey.
He takes care of me, pays my bills, and gives me the lifestyle I want.
In return, I don’t ask too many questions, and he doesn’t ask me any either.
” She glances up at me. “Besides, he’s too old for me. I like them younger.”
My mouth opens, closes, opens again. “What are you trying to tell me?”
She stands and moves closer, and I resist the urge to back away. “For a while, I wasn’t sure who Blaine’s current obsession was. He’s pretty discreet.” She pauses, studying my face. “When I found out it was you, I was actually glad.”
“Glad.” My voice is flat.
“Yes.” Vanessa reaches out and touches my arm, and I flinch. She doesn’t seem to notice. “I know you, Gabriel. Your family has money. You’re not going to cause problems or demand things. You’re the ideal arrangement, really.”
“I’m not interested in being anyone’s arrangement.”
“I’m not asking you to do anything you haven’t done before.
” She withdraws her hand and steps back, giving me space.
“I’m just asking you to get back together with Blaine.
Of course, I’m not going to divorce him.
But I’m totally fine with Blaine satisfying his needs elsewhere.
Better with someone I know and approve of than some random stranger who might cause trouble. ”
I gape at her, speechless. She’s asking me to resume an affair with her husband. With her blessing. Like she’s offering me a business opportunity.
“I can see this is a lot to process,” Vanessa says, her tone sympathetic. “But think about it, Gabriel. Blaine is generous. He can help your career. Introduce you to clients. And all you have to do is—”
“Vanessa.”
Blaine’s voice from the doorway makes us both turn. He’s standing there with an expression that’s half sheepish, half hopeful. He looks between us, and Vanessa nods at him.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” she says, and before I can protest, she’s slipping past Blaine and disappearing down the hallway.
The door stays open, but we’re alone. Blaine steps into the room, and I back up automatically until my legs hit the bed.
“Sugar,” Blaine says, his voice dripping with affection that makes my stomach turn. “I’ve missed you.”
Nausea rises in my throat. I’m not sure if it’s the wine or this fucked-up couple or both. The room feels too small, too warm, and Blaine is moving closer.
“I know Vanessa’s approach might seem unconventional,” Blaine continues, closing the distance between us. “But she’s right. This could work out perfectly for all of us. No one gets hurt. Everyone gets what they want.”
I stare at him, and something clicks into place. The silver hair that I used to think was distinguished just looks gray now. The eyes I used to find clever now just look sleazy. His smile is practiced, calculated, and I can’t believe I ever found it charming.
I don’t care about him anymore.
The realization hits me with startling clarity.
I don’t care about Blaine’s theatrics. I don’t care about his money or his connections or his empty promises.
I’m certainly not getting back together with him.
I’m not even sure why I was with him in the first place.
Was I that desperate for attention? That eager to feel wanted by someone?
“Gabriel.” Blaine reaches for my hand, and I pull away. His smile falters. “Everything is turning out great for us. Vanessa understands. We don’t have to hide anymore. We can be together whenever you want, and—”
“Gabriel.”
The voice from the doorway makes both of us turn. Marshall is standing there, his expression thunderous. His eyes scan the room, taking in me backed against the bed and Blaine standing too close. A muscle twitches in his neck, and his whole body goes rigid.
“I was looking for you,” Marshall says. His eyes are on me, not Blaine.
Relief crashes through me so hard my knees weaken. He’s here. He came looking for me.
Marshall’s gaze shifts to Blaine, and the look he gives him could strip paint. “I wanted to tell you that I’m leaving.” He looks back at me. “Are you coming, or should I call myself an Uber?”
“I’m coming.” I move past Blaine straight to Marshall. “I’m ready to go.”
Blaine steps forward, his hand outstretched. “Gabriel, wait. We haven’t finished talking.”
“Yes, we have.” I don’t stop moving until I’m beside Marshall, close enough that our arms brush. The contact grounds me.
Blaine’s face cycles through confusion, frustration, and anger before settling on a forced smile. “But I thought—”
“Thank you for the dinner,” I say, cutting him off.
Marshall’s hand comes to rest between my shoulder blades. “Thanks for having us.”
We turn and walk out of the room together. Blaine calls after us, something about talking tomorrow, about not making hasty decisions, but we’re already down the hallway, already descending the stairs.
Vanessa is waiting in the foyer with Felicity, both of them wearing expressions of polite confusion at our sudden departure.
Marshall handles the goodbyes, thanking them for their hospitality, apologizing again for leaving early.
I just nod along, letting Marshall do the talking while my brain tries to process what just happened upstairs.
Felicity looks disappointed, her eyes lingering on Marshall as she walks us to the door. “It was so lovely meeting you both. I hope we can do this again sometime.”
“That would be nice,” Marshall says, his tone noncommittal.
Vanessa air-kisses my cheeks again, and when she pulls back, she murmurs low enough that only I can hear, “Think about what I said.”
I don’t respond. I just smile and step away.
Blaine appears at the top of the stairs as we’re leaving. “Gabriel—”
“Goodnight, Mr. Ashford.” Marshall’s hand on my back becomes more insistent, guiding me out the door.
We cross the porch and descend the steps. The night air is cool against my overheated skin, and I breathe it in deeply, trying to clear my head. Marshall stays close as we walk down the path to the car, his presence solid and reassuring beside me.
I hit the unlock button and the car chirps. Marshall opens the driver’s door for me, then walks around to the passenger side. I slide behind the wheel, my hands shaking slightly as I grip the leather.
When Marshall gets into the passenger seat, I turn the key and the engine purrs to life. The dashboard lights illuminate my stepbrother’s face, casting shadows that make his jaw look even harder than usual. He’s staring straight ahead, his hands clenched into fists on his thighs.
I put the car in reverse and back out of the driveway. Neither of us speaks as I navigate down the dark road, away from the Ashford villa, away from Blaine and Vanessa and their fucked-up antics.