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I want to relax with her but I’m getting a sick feeling about not replying to Gabriel. Maybe it isn’t right to ignore him. No matter what’s going on, he’s been so good to me and I owe him the decency of a response.
Also, I miss him.
I get up from the couch, phone in hand. “You pick. I’m just going to change into a t-shirt.” Dashing into my room, I change, then I pull up the texts from Gabriel. They began coming in just over an hour ago, about the time Lexi called to tell me she was landing.
I’ll be outside your office in thirty minutes. Where does my baby want to go for lunch? Guilt pings my conscience.
Thirty minutes after that one was sent, the next one says:
Waiting outside your office. Did you get caught up with work? Daddy’s waiting, little girl.
And ten minutes after that:
Daddy doesn’t like to be kept waiting. Where are you?
Five minutes later:
Sam said you’ve left. I really need to talk to you. Text me back.
One minute later:
I’m coming over.
Shit! That was fifteen minutes ago. He could be here any minute. I can’t let him come over.
I need to cancel lunch. And dinner. There’s no way after the breakup Lexi’s had that I can leave her alone in my apartment and go to Gabriel’s tonight.
I type the words as quickly as possible, hoping I catch him before he arrives. Knots twist in my gut and I’m half expecting to hear an angry knock on the door before I can hit send.
OMG! SO sorry! Looks like we both totally forgot Lexi was landing by lunch! Sorry I missed your texts, I’ve been tied up with her. No need to come by. I think we just need girl time.
I hit send. Three little dots immediately pop up in the thread. He’s been waiting, phone in hand.
I was so wrapped up in your beauty this morning, I forgot she was coming. But when I see you next, be prepared for a little reminder of what happens when you don’t text your daddy back.
I breathe a sigh of relief. He’s not coming here. I text back a peach emoji with three waving hands... spanking hands?... and a question mark.
Exactly. But three is nowhere near enough. More like ten or twenty.
Despite my worries, his message makes a delicious shiver run down my spine. I reply, Yes, daddy.
I was looking forward to lunch. I really need to talk to you. Dinner?
My teeth sink into my lip. What does he want to talk about?
Lexi calls me from the next room. “Hurry up! You’re missing the creepy intro music. It’s totally setting the mood.”
He’ll have to wait.
And if I’m being completely honest with myself, I need the headspace.
He knows so much about me. Maybe too much. But he takes such good care of me. And when I’m with him, I feel like everything in the world is just right.
I’m so…fucking…confused.
Another little text comes in. Only four words, but it turns my world upside down. Warming my heart and making me want to run to him.
I miss you, baby.
I have to give myself a little pep talk. Be strong, Miranda. You told Lexi to come here and you would take care of her. That’s what you’re going to do.
I text back. I miss you, too, but my sister needs me tonight. I hope you can understand. I need to be with her right now. But let’s touch base in the morning. We can talk then.
I don’t wait for a reply. I turn off my phone. It’s the only way I can really focus on Lexi. If he starts sending me anymore babygirl/daddy messages, I’m afraid that despite my questions over his intrusive behavior, I’ll be torn, and I’ll find myself sneaking out to see him.
Dashing back to the living room, I curl up beside my sister. I grab the oversized chunky knit blanket from the back of the couch, throwing it over the both of us. The movie she picked is Danger Zone Zombies. Mindless, predictable, impossible plot, and terrible acting. It’s perfect.
Soon we’re alternating laughing at the characters stupidity with screaming in terror, When the doorbell rings with our orders, we scream and jump out of our skins. Once all the food’s here, we spread it out over the coffee table.
We stuff ourselves and laugh till our sides hurt. This is the best. This is exactly what I needed. And yet... I miss him. Like, miss him miss him deep down in my soul.
The truth is, I am falling for Gabriel. And is he perfect? No. And you know what, I’m glad. Because when I first met him, I thought he was perfect. Which would make him too good to be true.
Imperfect is real.
Is he a little possessive? Obsessive? Invasive? Yes.
But I have my flaws, too. And that’s just fine. We’re just two flawed humans who make one another happy.
