Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Gabby’s stomach did a flip as he mentioned the future. Although the romance novel reader in her wanted to believe in happily-ever-after, Gabby knew she had to be pragmatic. They’d only known one another for a week. Despite her rapidly beating heart, she couldn’t assume forever was in the cards. But she wanted to get to know him better and stick around while they built…something together.
“Gabriella.” Her grandmother crooked her finger and Gabby stepped closer. Annabelle had pulled an envelope out of her purse. “Use this for anything you need while you get yourself settled. And call me if you need anything.”
Gabby’s eyes filled with tears at the sweet gesture. “Thank you but I can’t take your money.”
She felt the heat of Maddox’s stare as she and her grandma talked. He’d already told her how he viewed wealthy women but that wasn’t why she was turning down the gift. “I need to stand on my own and not rely on my trust fund or you. But I love you for the offer.”
“Keep it as your safety net,” Annabelle insisted. “Your father has cut you off.” She frowned at that fact.
Though Gabby knew she’d been all but disinherited for her rebellion, hearing it hurt just the same.
To her surprise, Maddox stepped up behind her, wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. As if he was in tune to her emotions…and he probably was. She stepped back, her body leaning against his. She didn’t need his strength, she could handle things on her own but she appreciated it anyway. He cared and her heart fluttered in her chest.
“Have my parents been pressuring you about asking me to come home?” she asked. No doubt they assumed Gabby would keep in touch with her grandmother.
Annabelle shook her head. “I’ve heard them talking though. They assume you’ll tire of this independent stand you’re taking and come home.”
Behind her, Maddox stiffened. He probably worried about the same thing. Only time would prove she was here to stay. With or without Maddox, Gabby was building a life of her own.
“Listen,” her grandmother said. “You have the car because I bought it for you and the title is in your name. Your father can’t take the vehicle from you. When you come back to the city, for whatever reason, call me. We’ll meet with the lawyers and move your trust fund somewhere you father won’t know about it. I think we’ll both feel better.”
Eyes stinging, Gabby nodded.
“Now keep the money. Open an account here. And we’ll talk. I love you, dear girl.”
“I love you, too,” Gabby whispered, hugging her tight.
The car horn blared again.
“Come on. I’ll walk you out,” Maddox said, hooking an arm through Annabelle’s.
Gabby waited in the kitchen, watching through the window, her thoughts on Maddox and the night they’d spent together. She’d never had sex before. Never slept in the same bed with a guy overnight. And she’d never felt cared for, safe or protected by a man, either.
Until Maddox.
She’d given him her virginity with no strings but she, with everything inside her, wanted to hold on tight and create more lasting bonds with this special man.
Chapter Six
Gabby’s phone rang, startling her. She’d been lost in her painting world, splattering glorious bold colors onto the paper. With her hands a mess and her brush in hand, she ignored the call but when the cell rang again, she wiped her dirty fingers on a rag and carefully lifted the phone.
Rhonda’s name flashed on the screen. Gabby had left the gallery when her shift ended earlier and came home to paint.
“Hello? Rhonda? Is everything okay? Do you need me to come back in?” Gabby asked.
“Nothing’s wrong. I have the most exciting news. Your first painting sold!”
Gabby screamed. “Oh my God! That’s amazing!”
Rhonda chuckled. “Wait until you hear for how much.” She told Gabby a number that blew her mind. “Now go celebrate!”
Gabby disconnected, her heart pounding in excitement. In the two weeks during which Gabby had worked there, she’d found herself confiding in her boss. They’d discussed everything. She’d admitted why she’d left her parents’ home and her need to apply for a job to make money of her own. They’d talked about her degree, museums and the fact that Gabby was a closet painter, hiding her work from her parents. The first time her mother had caught her with dirty fingernails, she’d forbidden Gabby to indulge in her frivolous hobby.
Rhonda had convinced her to bring some pieces by the gallery for her to see, and Gabby’s sister took a day trip from her Long Island home to drop off canvases Gabby had already painted and stored in Penelope’s basement. Rhonda had fallen in love with Gabby’s work. She would have thought her boss was being kind, except Rhonda never hung anything in her place of business she didn’t believe in. The next day, Gabby’s modern contemporary art was framed and hanging in a small corner.