Time stopped, like we were frozen in a snow globe.
But then recognition dawned on both of us as the pieces quickly came together.
This was Gabriel Nelson.Gabriel Nelson!I couldn’t be fawning over him. Iwouldn’tbe.
He dropped my wrist at the same time I stepped back, more careful this time.
“You should watch where you’re going.” His voice was low, a warning.
“And you should really watch where you’re standing. Maybe you shouldn’t be in the middle of the sidewalk. It gets busy this time of day.”
People were walking around us, but by the way Gabriel raised his brows, I could tell he wasn’t convinced. “Huh, that’s odd. It’s almost like even though there’s people walking around, most aren’t sprinting down the sidewalk, barreling into others.”
I scoffed. “I wasn’tsprinting. You were standing in the middle of the walkway.” Maybe I should’ve checked my surroundings before speeding up, but I didn’t expect him to be standing right in the middle of everything. “How would you know what people in Golden Falls do? It’s not like you’ve ever been here before today.”
His brows raised and the corner of his mouth tipped up into a smirk. “How would you know that?”
“Because I know who you?—”
“You looked me up.” His smirk widened, which frustrated me even more. “And, actually, I got in yesterday. SotechnicallyI have been here before today.”
“Well, you looked me up, too, clearly.” IsworeI saw recognition flash over his face moments ago. “Doing research on the competition?”
He leaned in, his scent enveloping me once again. “What competition?”
“Oh, you think you’re—” I gritted.
“Ah, Lily. Gabe,” Hal greeted—and interrupted—as he watched from the doorway of Hal’s Hardware. Had he been there the whole time? I hoped not. “Don’t just stand there. Come on in.” He waved with a grin.
“Please, after you.” Gabriel gestured for me to go first.
“Now you’re being all polite,” I muttered.
“It’s called being professional.”
I glared at him over my shoulder before stepping inside Hal’s store. “Hey, Hal. Nice to see you. Are we meeting in your office?”
“We are. Let’s head back, and I’ll share what I’m thinking.” Hal waved for us to follow as he walked to the back of the store.
Before we walked behind him, Gabriel stretched his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Lily.”
How could he be acting so normal? My business—my future—was on the line, but he likely didn’t care. I was just another person, another business owner, to him. He probably dealt with people like me all the time and didn’t bat an eye at the various businesses Nelson Group drove out with their projects.
It took everything in me to not shake his hand. To not suck it up and be polite. I liked being nice and welcoming to everyone, but I wouldn’t be nice to someone who didn’t prioritize others, who only focused on himself.
The tight-lipped smile on my face physically pained me, as did taking a step away from his outstretched hand. “I wish I could say the same, Gabriel.”
I let out a heavy sigh and turned to walk toward Hal’s office, my future hanging in the balance.
7
GABRIEL
While I hada nice conversation with Louise, I’d gotten more of the cold shoulder from other residents on my walk to Hal’s Hardware. I tried not to let it get to me, but that was easier said than done.
I would get it if peopleknew meand didn’t like me—that was fine—but I’d just gotten here. It likely all stemmed back to my father and how I couldn’t separate my reputation from his.
All that left me in a bad mood, leading to a not-so-ideal first interaction with Lily Richards. She was even more beautiful in person, with her long blonde hair, rosy cheeks, and bright-blue eyes.
