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So, what other reason would she have for hesitating?
Could it be that she doesn’t want to define herself by who her dad is to me?
She’s asking Marco about the food, his inspiration behind the dishes, and that sends him off into his usual spiel about sourcing the freshest produce and bringing a refined version of the flavors of his home. It’s something I’ve heard before, and even though I do love how passionate he is, I don’t need to hear it again. I tune him out, watching, observing.
Thinking.
Thinking about the way she seems to have charmed him around her little finger already, drawing out smiles and laughter from a man who can sometimes be surly – like all chefs, he has a hot temperament. How even the waiter, glancing up from serving the next table, seems to brighten when he overhears the conversation and watches her converse. The whole room seems brighter, in fact. And she’s doing that all by herself. She doesn’t need me here to make an introduction or anything else. She’s so engaging, so bright and beautiful, that it sparks joy in everyone around her.
I would be absolutely crazy to let her get away, wouldn’t I?
Eventually, Marco moves on, off to talk to the next table and make sure everything is good with their meal. As we begin to eat our food, I can’t help but notice the differences. How he barely exchanges more than a few pleasantries with the other tables, just enough to be friendly and polite but not getting as enthusiastic as he did with Gabby. How, when she moans out loud and rolls her eyes and exclaims how amazing one of the dishes is, he’s not the only one who turns to look at her.
And he’s not even the only one with a light hint of pink appearing on his cheeks.
I don’t think she knows just how hot she is – in that dress, in the way she eats, in every movement she makes. She’s grown into a stunning young woman, and I don’t think she actually understands just how captivating she is.
Or maybe I’m putting words in everyone else’s mouths because I know that I just can’t keep my eyes off her for longer than a single second.
We don’t pause talking as we eat. We make our way through the dishes one by one, comparing the flavors, talking about the texture and how clever Marco is. How fresh every piece tastes. It’s like going to a movie with a cinema buff, you get the best conversation afterward, maybe even better than seeing the movie in the first place. That’s how it feels to be with Gabby, to experience something with her.
Except I don’t think it’s because she’s a food buff. Because she’s been like this with every topic that’s come up so far. I think it’s just that she’s the most fascinating person I’ve ever met.
How in the hell did this happen in the space of just two years?
“Alright,” I say when we’re both finished up with the last of the plates. It was a lot of food, but thanks to the smaller portion sizes, I don’t feel too uncomfortable. In fact, I think it was just about the right amount of food. “I’ll just head to the men’s room, and then I’ll get the bill. Unless you wanted to order something else?”
She shakes her head no with a light laugh. “If I ate anything else, I think I would burst. And if it was something Marco made, I would force myself to try anyway.”
I laugh back – she’s right. I get up from the table, dumping my napkin as I go, and walk towards the back of the room.
Just at the door leading through to the restroom, I stop, turn, and look back. She’s side-on to me here, and if she looked up she would see me staring, but I just want to take her in a moment longer. Her beauty. Her grace. The way she lights up the room even when she’s just sitting in silence on her own.
Holy hell, I’m in trouble. Because there’s no way I’m going to let her end this vacation and just fly home as if we’re only distantly connected. I have to make her mine – it’s a visceral need.
No. She is mine. It’s just that she doesn’t know it yet.
Chapter Seven
Gabby
When Oz heads steps away from the table, it gives me a moment to think and take it all in. To digest the day’s events, if that isn’t too horrible of a pun.
It gives me a moment to realize just how amazing this all has been. I’m so lucky. I can’t believe it’s played out this way. It’s like the universe is rewarding me for something. I just wish I knew what, so I could keep it up.
