Neverin his life was he given so many opportunities to watch someone sleep like hehas with Salene. The first time he got to witness it was on the couch in theden that night he scared her with the spider. Realizing she had become quiet,he turned to see her curled up in the cushions fast asleep with Bishoppractically on top of her sleeping as well. The second time Gabriel was notnecessarily given the opportunity more like he took it. After the fiasco at theparty, he was beyond riled up and restless. All he wanted to do was beatDerek's fucking face in, and since Tobias and the others pretty much restrainedhim from doing so, he was keyed up. Going into her room the night he had everyintention of yelling at her as to why the hell she chose that time to shower,but he found her curled tightly under her covers. Even in the dark Gabrielcould make out the puffy redness of her eyes from crying. The sight immediatelysobered his anger. It did not take a genius to see that Salene was veryself-conscious over her breast, having a stranger walk in on her at her mostvulnerable moment must have been very terrifying. That night he was nearlycaught as he found himself lost in thought as he watched her sleep, leavingBishop with her, he was able to escape without being caught.
Bishop'shappy whine at the window caught his attention, turning to the window Gabrielwatched Salene get out of her car before opening the garage door. Taking thesignal that his friend was home Bishop raced out of the office.
Itwas evident he had been replaced in Bishop's eyes.
"Hi,my sweet boy," Salene's husky voice floated down the hall. "Where isthat a mean old man at? Is he back here?"
Meanold man, huh.
"Heythere," stepping into the office doorway she stopped. "What are youlooking for?"
Withboth hands, he pushed his office chair back from his desk looking on eitherside of the floor next to him.
"Iam just searching for another spider to throw on you for that old manremark." He replied matter-of-factly.
"Iwas just kidding Gabriel!" She whined.
Givingher a smirk he looked her over, she was still wearing her green apron tiedsnugly around her waist. Today her brown curls seem different, curlier and alittle lighter.
"Whyare you so late?" He did not care if his question came off controlling ornot, he wanted to know why the hell she was just now getting back at sixo'clock.
Cominginto the office, she plopped heavily into the leather chair in front of hisdesk with a dramatic sigh.
"Godtoday was long," arching her back in the chair Salene reached beneath herto untie the apron cord. Tearing his eyes away from the display he focused onthe black and white contract in front of him. "So you remember that guyKevin I was telling you about the other day?"
Gabrielnodded remembering her coming home the first day of work depressed. Supposedlythe assistant manager was pissed he got passed over for the promotion. Herfirst few days at work were steeped in passive aggressive attitude and snideremarks. Gabriel actually felt bad for her, the initial excitement about thenew job was quickly replaced by a touch of sadness and dread. Though as sherelaxed back in his chair while using the other matching chair to prop up herfeet, she didn't look so defeated today.
"Well,this morning one of the girls called in sick, so it was just me and Kevinduring the morning rush. After a while we were able to talk with each othernormally with no animosity," Gabriel could hear the relief in her voice asshe scratched behind Bishop's ears. "I think once he heard my story of woeand misfortune he felt sorry for me and stopped resenting me, he even took meover to his house after work."
Thatcaught his attention completely. When she first told him about this Kevin guy,Gabriel just assumed it was some college kid that was acting pissy. He never figuredshe would make friends with this mystery guy and invite her to his house noless. Calmly Gabriel continued to look at his papers, while his mind questionedhis subconscious as to why the fact that she went over some dude's house highlyagitated him.
"Hissister, who he lives with, is a hairstylist. So I pretty much got a freehaircut."
Thebuilding anger stopped at the explanation. The agitation still remained overthe unanswered questions involving the "Kevin" guy, but theunexplained anger subsided at the full explanation. Not trusting himself tolook up he continued to focus on the draft in front of him.
"Iam starting to seriously doubt your judgment on safety." One minute shewas sleeping in parking lots, taking jobs at strip clubs, and now going tostrangers' houses, it was infuriating. Was he the only one looking after hersafety?
"Awwif I get murdered behind the work dumpsters will you seek justice for mydeath?" Salene teased as she fiddled with the clasp to her necklace.
Thistime, Gabriel did give her his full attention. Not saying anything he simplygave her a serious stare
Nervouslyshe stopped fiddling with her necklace and sat straight in her chair.
"Iwas just joking," she whispered softly. "If it will make you feel anybetter you can come by sometime this week during the morning to see him foryourself. You will see that I am not working with the killer or anything."
"It'syour life, not mine." Highlighting the last paragraph he needed, ignoringher frustrated groan.
"Iswear I do not understand you, Breslin. Most of the time you hate me and for abrief second you will do something bordering on sweet but before I can enjoyit," she snapped her fingers. "Poof. You are back to Captain Evilagain."
Turningto grab the paper he printed off behind him Gabriel hid the smirk at hernickname. Captain Evil was a new one.
Leaningher elbows on his desk she pulled the necklace around so that she could look atthe clasp while she toyed with it.
"Youknow I never asked, what kind of lawyer are you?"
Thequestion caught him off guard. Large honey brown eyes gave him a curious starewhen he looked up. "I am a corporate lawyer, I mostly deal withtransactional agreements, negotiating deals, and other stuff."
"Ohwow," the surprise on her face was genuine which made him wonder what thehell did she initially think he did. She most likely thought he got paid toshoot the breeze and golf all day or any other scenario that fit in with herspoiled rich boy profile she made.
