I have to do this.
Arriving at the restaurant, we stood by the hostess as she looked for our reservation. Once she found it, she directed us over to our table, which was past the luxury bar in the middle of the room.
Gavin slipped his hand around my waist as we walked, and almost immediately, I felt the hairs on my neck stand up as I felt a primal… intense, and feral gaze on me.
He didn’t need to be near me. With the time we’ve spent together… I could feel his presence in the room. Looking over my shoulder discreetly by the other side of the dark marble and gold bar, I gulped softly as Beckham sat with his drink in his hand.
His stare was lethal as he glared directly at me. I felt weak in the knees suddenly as I had the urge to rip myself away from Gavin to lessen the fear he was instilling in me.
Soon, we made it to our seats, and I thanked Gavin as he held my chair out for me.
After settling at the table, we were brought glasses of water and a bottle of wine before the server walked away to give us time to review the menu.
I took a sip of wine to calm my nerves, and Gavin folded his hands on the table as he watched me. In response, I gave him a smile as I gazed around the restaurant.
“It’s gorgeous in here,” I commented, and he nodded.
“Sure is. I’m glad Beckham was able to recommend it to us.”
I took another sip from my glass. Gavin’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, the emotion in his eyes unrecognizable. However, the smile was again brought back to his face as he continued, “Speaking of him… I just wanted to tell you that I’m extremely proud of what you’ve been able to accomplish so far.”
“Really?” I asked, almost flabbergasted.
“Of course I am, Rose. Look, I know I may not show it in the best way… but I am truly happy for you and your success. I genuinely mean it.”
I remained silent.
It was conveniently perfect timing as the waiter arrived to take our order and discuss the choices for the main course for the evening. While he spoke, I tuned him out as I thought to myself.
I knew it was wrong of me to think this far with Gavin’s actions, but he didn’t seem like himself. I hated admitting it, but something was off. Ever since he returned from the trip, he’d been more attentive, kind, compassionate… all things I wanted from my husband from the beginning.
What changed over the course of the previous week? Did Brent inform him I was with Beckham? Did he know about the potential property I was interested in? Did he know I wasn’t home the majority of the nights he was away, tucked under the embrace of my personal incubus? What was going on…?
As Gavin was talking to the waiter on one side of the table, a certain someone passed by on the other side. I almost shivered feeling his hand touch my shoulder as he walked from behind me toward the other side of the restaurant—the same shoulder my husband had run his hand over earlier. Only with Beckham’s touch did my skin feel on fire.
Gavin finished with the waiter and looked back over to me as I tried to hide my flushed face while sipping more of the wine.
“We always seem to be so busy these days, operating on such a tight schedule. I’m glad we got to spend this time together.” Gavin smiled at me, and I nodded as I placed my glass on the table. I had to slow down… If not, I was sure he would be able to tell I was trying to drown out my shame and worries.
“Me too, Gav.”
“I actually… wanted to talk to you about something important. I was thinking... maybe we should start trying...”
I was taken aback. “Trying for what?” I whispered, already knowing his answer.
He grabbed my hand from across the table. “A baby, Rose.” He smiled cautiously, awaiting my reply—but I was silent.
He sighed. “I know what you’re thinking. I know. I know. I was the one who put it off. I didn’t acknowledge you wanted a child, and I was selfish to put my own reservations or doubts in front of something that could bring us closer together.”
“Gavin,” I voiced, almost out of breath.
He shook his head. “Just think about it. It’s sudden I know. If you have your own reservations, I completely understand… and I will wait for you, Rosenna.”
I didn’t say anything. It felt surreal. My stomach churned uncomfortably and my throat had begun to close, vivid memories of the past flooding in.
“Gavin… can I ask you something?” I asked at the dinner table as I took a bite of the Alfredo he’d asked for since last week. I made it tonight on purpose, hoping it might soften him up—because what I was about to bring up wasn’t easy.
Usually I was more talkative at the dinner table, but today, my words had been choked up in my throat the entire day.
