We all laughed. Giving a tired yawn, Amelia spoke again, “We’re going to head back to your place. I figured Steven could drive me in Aunt Leelyn’s car and you could ride with Gael, if that sounds okay.”
I dug the keys out of my pocket. “That sounds perfect. I’ll see you guys there. The house key is the one with the blue rubber tip.”
Taking the keys, Amelia turned to Gael. “You’re a good guy. I know you’re dealing with a bunch of shit that you don’t deserve, but I respect you for listening to your heart and not your pocketbook.”
“Ashlin will always be my priority.” Gael hugged me closer to him to emphasize his point.
Being next to Gael, like this, knowing what he had put up with felt right. Saying one last round of good-byes, Amelia and Steven left. We were now alone, standing in the front area. All the other lights had been turned off. The streets were vacated. Confidently, Gael came up to me. His thumbs grazed across my lips and I closed my eyes. Without warning, Gael’s lips were on mine. He was passionate as he kissed me. Any passerby would see us and I didn’t care. I was his for the taking.
Gael’s fingers dug into my back as he brought me closer to him. The effect I had on him was evident as I felt his stiff erection against me. Our tongues collided an
d danced as we devoured each other. All of the pent-up need came spilling out.
He placed his forehead to mine. “I want you, but not here.”
“Please take me home.”
Gael grabbed my hand and we were making our way quickly to the front door when he stopped and looked back me. “It meant a lot, you being here by my side tonight. I’m sorry I couldn’t call to tell you what was going on. It was all I could do to stay above water every part of the night. When I got here, everyone turned in their resignation at the same time. Then, all hell broke loose with the health inspector. Thank goodness for my dad’s foresight to put the cameras in after Harris’ first stunt.”
I squeezed his hand. “I’m not upset you didn’t call. It was chaos. I do believe this was another attempt by Harris.”
“I know it was him, but he won’t break me. He won’t scare me. If I had to do this every day, I would if it meant having you in my arms at night.”
“Gael …” I smiled at his declaration.
He kissed my hand. “I know that’s more serious than what you’re ready to hear, but you needed to know.”
“I’m not scared. I’m not hiding anymore.” Gael returned my radiant smile with tired eyes. This time I walked and pulled him toward me. “Let’s get you home. You’ve got an early morning, baby.”
He paused, halting me in the process. “Fuck, you’ve been sick. You have to be exhausted. Ashlin, I can’t believe I didn’t think about that.”
I was tired, but it was worth it. “Like you said, if I get to have you, I’d do this every day. I’ll be fine as soon as Dr. Stowe examines me.”
“I do need to give you a thorough examination.”
We made our way out of the restaurant and to Gael’s car. I kept looking around for someone watching us with a camera for the tabloids, but didn’t see anyone. As we stood next to the car, Gael looked down into my face. “You’re beautiful. All I can think about is getting home and losing myself in you.”
“Then drive fast.”
We got in the car to drive home. Gael made love to me until exhaustion claimed us both. Through all our trials we had faced so far, love had won out.
IT WAS THANKSGIVING. We were at Gael’s parents’ home, having just finished Thanksgiving dinner. The food had been unbelievable. Today had been a day of self-reflection for me. I felt truly part of the family I’d always wanted as my own. Wanting a few minutes to reflect on all that had happened, I stepped outside with my glass of wine while the family watched football. The sunsets here at Hilton Head were breathtaking.
Life had not stopped for the last month and a half. Gael and I continued to go strong even though neither one of us had said we loved each other. It was constantly on the tip of my tongue, but I froze each time I was about to say it—afraid that I would ruin the moment or that there was a better way to proclaim how I felt. I was a total mess to say the least.
Amelia and Steven kept in constant contact. We were planning on coming back to New York at Christmas to get all my belongings that Amelia’s father had secured for me through the court order. Sure enough, Harris had all my things boxed and couriered over to her home within twenty-four hours of getting served.
I’m sure the last thing he wanted was for a PR situation to unfold that his ex-girlfriend had to serve him to get her stuff. Amelia and I’d shared a glass of wine over Skype as we celebrated the small victory. After all the heartache Harris had caused, even the smallest steps forward felt like a won battle.
Since the restaurant staffing debacle, Harris had been eerily quiet. Amelia had stalked him through the papers and kept me informed. He was constantly being photographed at different events—alone and never having a date. It was disappointing and I hoped that he’d start seeing someone. It would quell the never ending nerves that resided around thinking about Harris’ actions.
An unbelievable amount of time had been spent on trying to determine what his next move would be. Nothing ever happened. Slowly, I let myself hope that Harris had truly given up on me.
The restaurant thrived. The majority of the new wait staff had worked out. Three weeks after the massive resignation, most of the employees who had left, came back looking for a job. Of course, their jobs were gone to, hopefully, more loyal people.
I heard Erica laughing and I glanced toward the window as everyone pointed to the screen and spoke at the same time. Looking back out to the rays of light, I knew I was ready to take mine and Gael’s relationship to the next level. It was time and I wasn’t scared anymore.
Gael and I had been using a condom since the one night he’d forgotten. He’d said he would let me tell him when I was ready. True to his word, there had never been any pressure from him.