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“Relax.” Gabriel flashes me an easy smile. “I’m not saying now. I’m just asking, do you want them, ever?”
Still wary, I ask, “Why?”
He plants his palms on my knees and swivels my stool so that I’m facing him. “We love each other. We’re in a serious relationship. Aren’t these the things we should discuss?”
I relax. “Yes. And to answer your question, I’ve never really thought about babies before, other than as props for new workout sequences.”
He raises an eyebrow at that.
“You know, pregnancy workouts divided by trimesters, those cute yoga classes new moms can do with their babies?”
He shakes his head.
I wave the topic off. “Anyway, I guess I’ve never been in the position to think about it. But…”
“But?”
“I’m not opposed to the concept, per se. I just think maybe I’m still too young… but in the future, why not? You?”
Still like a statue, he says, “I want at least five.”
I almost have a heart attack before I notice the way he’s fighting to keep his features set in stone, while the corner of his mouth twitches.
“Jerk.”
He barks out a laugh. “I’ve never really given the topic much thought, never had to, same as you, and I’m equally not opposed to it happening down the line.”
“Glad we cleared that.”
“See, it’s not that hard discussing the future.”
“I guess. But now I need a refill.” I pick up my cup. “Put your barista skills to good use.”
“Yes, Miss Bossypants.”
* * *
The weekend flies by like a breath of air. We make love and sleep, we talk and laugh, we go out to eat, and we spend the rest of the time either cuddling on his bed or lazing it out on the couch. When Sunday evening comes, we’re both flying so high on love, sex, and happiness, I’ve almost left all the stress of the IPO behind me. But now it’s time to go home and back to the real world. The last few miles of a marathon are always the hardest.
Gabriel drops me off at my place—no driver. “See you next week?”
I nod bravely.
He pulls me in for one last hug. “Wall Street has no idea what’s coming. You’re going to take it by storm, baby.”
I wish I had his confidence.
“I’ll text you later.”
“Okay.”
I exit the car and walk away, but I stop in front of the door and look back.
As though he’d read my mind, Gabriel has stepped out of the car.
I run down to him.
He opens his arms for me and I step into his embrace and kiss him. I hang on to him as if I’m never going to see him again. I know I will, but it won’t be for a few days, and it might as well be forever.
