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I smile at her confidence and then head back into the kitchen to help my mom with the cooking.
I hear everyone laughing with Bella and every time I peek across to the living room, I see they are having a good time and Bella is chatting to someone new. This confidence is something I have never seen in her before. It really suits her.
Mom and I are almost done with the first round of tacos when I hear a deep voice that makes me jump. "Isabella. It has been an hour. I thought you were just coming over for a quick… "Alex snaps at his daughter.
"Alex?" I say, surprised to see him, interrupting his words.
"Gabi. Hi. Sorry. Bella just wanted to come over and book her next lesson. I did not know you had friends over. She was not meant to stay." He looks rigid, standing tall, eyeing my brothers.
"Alex. This is my family. My brothers." I wave my hand around the living room, "My father."I point at my dad and Alex goes over to shake his hand. "Sorry, for Bella. I had no idea Gabi had guests." He says to my dad.
My dad starts laughing, "This little mouse? She is wonderful. She is so smart and funny." He squeezes Bella's shoulder.
Alex nods hello to my brothers. I can see he is not used to such a loud, chaotic atmosphere. He looks over at Bella. "Come on Isabella. Your dinner is already getting cold. You should never have stayed."
"Dad. Can't I stay just a little longer - "
"No, Bella. It is time to say goodbye." He snaps.
Bella doesn't move. "Bella," Alex shouts and the room falls silent for a second.
Alex turns to me. "I'm sorry about this."
"It is no problem, Alex. She is welcome anytime. She seems to be really happy this evening?" I say, wanting to hint at how well the class went, but also still mad at him for his behavior this morning.
He ushers Bella towards the door. I stand on the step outside my house, closing the front door behind me to block out the noise of my family and have some privacy. I know I should not even be starting this conversation, but with these stupid thoughts looping in my head I don't seem to be able to stop myself.
"Alex, about this morning…"
He stands looking down at me. "What about this morning?" he is back to being incredibly rigid and cold.
"I'm going to get my dinner. Bye Gabi." Bella shouts as she runs across the road and disappears into her own home.
I feel awkward, not even sure what I want to say to Alex, but I am so upset about how he treated me that I feel the need to say something.
"Your rudeness, at the gym today?" I say, expecting him to know exactly what I mean.
"My rudeness?" He sounds defensive.
"Yes. You hardly even watched her class. You were on your phone and then at the end, you skipped out of there without a second for conversation. And then you did not even bother to say goodbye to me. I know you didn't want her to come to the class, but you have to admit it has done her a world of good. I mean, I just don't feel you were very fair in the way you spoke to me, or treated me, and I wanted."
Alex reaches out, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck and pulling me towards him. His lips press into mine and he kisses me. Slowly, sensually. The kiss is very intense and sends shivers down my spine. My hand is on his broad chest, and I can feel his muscles beneath the fabric of his shirt. He wraps his arm around my waist and holds my body against his. His kiss gets deeper. I feel the heat from his body rushing through me. Then just as quickly as he pulled me towards him, he stepped back again.
"Gabi," he clears his throat. "I am sorry about my attitude this morning. I hope you enjoy your evening with your family."
I open my mouth to say something, but he is already walking away.
My breathing is heavy, and my cheeks are burning red with the heat of the kiss. My lips are tingling, and I am staring after Alex like I've just seen a ghost.
I looked around to see if anyone saw the kiss, checking that no one was peeking through the living room window. My family is busy inside. Thank goodness no one noticed. I would have so much explaining to do and to be quite honest I can't even explain what just happened to me.
I shake my head. I thought Alex hated me.
I pull my hair tie out and redo my messy bun. What in the world just happened?
Taking a deep, slow breath I feel my cheeks begin to cool down and I brush my hands over the front of my pants. Trying to wipe away this intense feeling that is running through my body.
What just happened? Seriously? And then he just walked away without saying anything more? Why would he do that?
