“This had to be their fortieth-anniversary trip to the Maldives,” Serena said, then pointed to the massive mansion that appeared to float over the water in the distance. “Mom was so excited about that trip. This was about two or three years before their plane vanished.”
Gabrielle reached for the photo, trying to ignore the sharp pang of hurt in her heart. “After forty years of marriage, they still look so much in love.”
“They were—”
“Theyarein love,” Gabrielle interjected.
“Right,” Serena said.
An uncomfortable silence settled between them for several minutes. Gabrielle was happy that Serena didn’t mention having their parents declared legally deceased again. With everything going on, Gabrielle would unravel if she had to make that decision. She was barely keeping it together as it was.
She put the photograph back on the bookshelf. Staring at it for a long moment, she asked, “Have you ever been in love, Serena?”
Serena coughed, then sputtered, “Whoa, where did that question come from?” Her eyes bulged with shock.
“Just wondering. It’s not like we’ve been in touch over the past decade. We weren’t close as kids. I’ve missed out on a lot of your life.”
“Well, you haven’t missed anything in the love department,” Serena said, walking over to the curved, palm-frond-printed divan with a dark cherry finish. She eased onto the cushions and stared out the window at the Caribbean Sea in the distance. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in love, to answer your question. My relationships have been strategic partnerships, not connections that fostered deep feelings.”
“Oh.” It was all Gabrielle could think to say.
“But I haven’t really prioritized love in my life. Being groomed to run Hullabaloo was all that mattered. It’s my dream and my passion. I won’t let anything or anyone get in the way of my success in running the company. Why do you ask?”
“No reason,” Gabrielle said as memories of Sebastian flooded her mind. He knew she loved him. He’d heard about her journal entries devoted to him, and he still asked her to say the words aloud. Words she wasn’t sure she would’ve had the courage to say at all had tumbled from her lips. It was the last gift she could give him. To know that his love for her was reciprocated even if they had no future.
“Is this about Sebastian?”
“What? Why would you ask me about him? You don’t even like Sebastian.”
“I don’t have a problem with Sebastian. I hired him to be your bodyguard. I’m even more pleased now that the PIIB have determined that he couldn’t possibly be your stalker.”
“I never believed that.”
“Of course, you didn’t. I could tell you were blinded by your feelings for him, so I went into sister-bear mode to ensure you were protected. We both needed an objective party to ensure we weren’t harboring blindspots about Sebastian. Especially since you think you’re in love with him. Don’t bother denying it.”
“Fine. I won’t. But I take it you don’t believe it’s real love?”
“Who am I to judge? I don’t know if I’d recognize the signs of real love if it jumped up and slapped me in the face. The bigger question is, do you think it’s real love?”
Gabrielle was quiet. She knew her feelings for Sebastian were real, but the intensity of the emotions confused her. The depth of her love was something she’d never felt before. It filled her with an unwavering conviction that they were meant for each other. But in her mind, she couldn’t stop questioning if their connection could survive. When stalkers continued to lurk in the shadows of her life, would she get the freedom to love anyone? Did she even deserve to have that kind of love? She had never loved a man the way she loved Sebastian, but she worried that a future together wasn’t in the cards for them. There would always be some threat out there standing in the way of her happiness.
“Your silence speaks volumes, you know. If you’re so in love with Sebastian, why did you kick him out of your life? I saw him when he left the hospital yesterday. He looked like his whole world had been destroyed. He’s completely devoted to you.”
“That’s the problem. I can’t let him risk his life for me.”
“I see. You’re scared of love.”
“I am not scared of love! I’m being realistic. The threat from Tony Brooks is real. The island feds haven’t had any more luck finding him than Brad’s team. If I keep my distance from Sebastian, Tony will never realize that he stabbed the wrong bodyguard, and Sebastian will be safe.”
“And what did Sebastian think about this plan of yours? He doesn’t strike me as the type who wants his woman making unilateral decisions for the relationship.”
“His woman? Seriously?” Gabrielle balked.
Serena cackled with laughter. “You know you like thinking of yourself that way. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Well, I’m not his woman. I’m not his anything because we’re not in a relationship. I’m not even sure I’m relationship material.”
“Gabrielle, you are amazing. Why would you not be relationship material?”
