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Now I really feel the need to change the subject.
"How are classes going?" I ask her cheerfully.
"Well - I love it. Like really love it, but it is much better when you teach the classes." She laughs loudly.
We chat for a while longer about how well she is doing in class, and she tells me about some of the cool presents she got from her friends. Finally, we both realize it is getting quite late.
"I guess I better get going." She says, hopping out of her chair and putting her empty plate in the sink. "Dad will start getting worried."
"OK, sweetheart. Let me walk you home."
We head across the street, and I stand to the side of the door, out of sight, waiting for her to unlock it so that she can go safely inside.
Before she manages to get her key in the lock the door swings open.
"I was wondering where you had snuck off to, Bella." Alex is standing in the doorway looking down at his daughter. She grins at him and darts inside. Then his eyes are locked on mine and both of us stand in silence.
My heart is racing in my chest, it feels as though my ribs might rip apart it is beating so hard.
Just standing here looking at him I can hardly breathe. I managed to convince myself over the past few days that I could just move on, that I could just let this go and forget about him and pretend it meant nothing. Yet standing in front of him now I know that that is entirely impossible, and my heart will never let me do that.
"Gabi." My name on his lips tears a piece of me away from myself. I have to stop myself from reaching out and pressing my hand against my heart where I feel a sharp empty pain.
I am caught in his stare. I open my mouth to speak, and no sound comes out. I close my eyes for a second then look away from him.
"Alex." I manage to say, fighting the tornado of emotions inside me.
"How have you been?" he asks me, a little anger tainting the edge of his voice.
"I've been busy, but good. How have you been?"
This pointless, empty conversation is making the pain worse. I want to throw my arms around him and press my lips against his mouth. I want to feel his arms around me. I want to be safely wrapped up in him. I want what he cannot or will not give me.
"You have not been at the gym." He says with his voice void of emotion.
"I have had some family things to attend to. I took time off work to help them with the arrangements and planning." I reply, just as blandly, fighting to keep my heart under control.
What am I going to do? Standing in front of him every single piece of my heart and soul is drawn to him. I could never just walk away or forget about him.
I feel like I am stuck in an impossible situation.
CHAPTER 14
ALEX
Ihear Isabella talking to someone on the front step. I wonder if she has brought a friend home from the park, so I go to the door to open it for them and my heart leaps into my throat.
Gabi is standing there.
She looks absolutely incredible. It is crazy how she can look drop-dead gorgeous wearing the most relaxed clothing. A pair of jeans and a crop top. Her hair was pinned up in a messy bun with random curls falling around her face. She does not even have makeup on, yet her skin is glowing.
The crop top she is wearing hugs her waist and sits tight across her chest. The naked skin of her narrow waistline is visible, and the slight definition of muscle across her toned abs catches my eye. My gaze follows the curve of her hips, down her shapely legs.
I close my eyes for a moment. I need to pull myself together and focus on something else. My body is filled with electricity, biting at my skin, and screaming for me to reach out and wrap her in my arms, and pull her against my chest. I just want to feel her. I want her close to me.
I try to stop the looping thoughts while we make idle conversation.
"You have not been at the gym," I say.
