Gabriel tilted his head, looking at me thoughtfully before his lips tilted up in a smile. “Yeah, I’ve chipped away at William enough. It’s time to start smoothing him out now.”
“Smoothing him …”
“Yes, eventually he’ll look like this.” He picked up the dog, and I saw that although he was missing an ear, he was completely smooth whereas William still showed all the rough spots where he’d been chipped and chiseled, the nicks and grooves of his creation.
“Oh, okay. Ready to go?”
“Yeah. Come with me and I’ll show you the shop real quick. I’d take you to the quarry, but the walking trail is too steep for crutches. We could take the road and drive, but I’d rather show you when you can stand right at the edge.” He smiled. “You get a better idea of how massive it is that way.”
Gabriel locked up his shop, picking up a canvas bag he must have left by the door while I was looking around. I followed him back around to the front of the shop. A bell jingled when he pushed the door open and he held it for me as I limped in after him. Classical music played softly through speakers somewhere in the walls, and there was a fountain to my left that had water cascading down a pane of glass, contributing even further to the relaxing atmosphere.
The whole interior was done in stone from the floor to the walls, and tall counters with granite tops held small samples and catalogues. A couple sat in stools at one of the counters, arguing softly about two different samples.
There were doors on the wall to my right that must lead to offices. Just as I had the thought, one of the doors opened, and Dominic walked out wearing khakis and a button-down shirt and tie. His expression, first one of casual ease, morphed into distaste when he saw me. He gave me one short, quick nod. I fidgeted on my crutches, feeling even more ridiculous than I had in Gabriel’s studio. Feeling damaged—worthless—I had nothing to combat Dominic’s blatant dislike of me.
The phone rang, and Gabriel reached over the counter and grabbed it, nodding at Dominic in greeting. “Dalton Morgan Quarry.” He listened for a few seconds as I attempted to look everywhere except at Dominic as Gabriel told whoever was calling that they’d be open until five and it was best to make an appointment.
The bell over the door rang again, and the man I’d met earlier in the week, George, walked in, a kind smile on his face when he saw Gabriel and me.
“Okay, let me write that down …” Gabriel walked around to the front of the desk and grabbed a pen, then spoke into the phone again as I said hello to George. Gabriel hung up and walked back around the desk.
“I see you’re showing Ellie around.”
Gabriel smiled and leaned against the counter in that way of his I’d come to know—so casually masculine. “Yup. I needed some supplies to finish up the cherub for the French museum. I should have him mostly done in the next few days.”
George chuckled. “Him.”
My heart felt heavy at the mention of William being almost completed. Then he’d be shipped away. Gone. Get a grip, Ellie. I fidgeted on my crutches again. A look of concern came over Gabriel’s face, and he moved to my side. “I think it’s been enough of an outing for today.”
Dominic made a sound of disgust in his throat and rolled his eyes. I blushed with humiliation, moving away from Gabriel. “I’m fine,” I murmured, trying to stand as straight as possible without stressing my rib cage.
George’s eyes moved slowly from Dominic to me and back to Dominic, his lips pursing and his forehead furrowing. When he looked back to me again, his forehead smoothed and he smiled before saying, “I gotta get back to the quarry anyway. But I’ll see you later at dinner?”
“Dinner?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Gabriel interjected. “Chloe is going to make dinner for all of us. Insisted on it, actually. She’s sort of … enthusiastic.” He chuckled but there was warmth in his eyes.
I looked away and nodded. “Then yes, I’ll see you all at dinner.” Dominic shot me one last disapproving look before Gabriel led me from the building, helping me up into the truck and driving home.
Home.
No, Ellie. Don’t start thinking of Gabriel’s home as your own. That would be very, very stupid. Don’t do it.
And yet I suspected I already had.
* * *
Chloe and Gabriel spent another several hours together in the living room as I tried to keep myself occupied in my room.
I called the shop about my car and was told it was ready to be picked up. Ricky had heard about me being in the hospital and generously offered to keep it stored there until I could get over to pay for it, which was a relief considering at the moment, I didn’t have a dollar to my name. It wasn’t as if I’d be able to drive for a while anyway.
I called my landlady and explained my circumstances, and though she seemed annoyed, she agreed to give me an extension on paying my rent. I had another month and then I’d owe her two months’ worth. I sighed, having no idea how I’d come up with it, but deciding to cross that bridge when I came to it. I was used to juggling financially—I’d been seemingly doing it all my life.
I still hadn’t called Rodney to find out the state of my job, but that could be put off for another day. He was well aware of my circumstances. Not that I’d received as much as a get-well card from him. He was probably pissed that I’d inconvenienced business by getting beat up in his parking lot and causing the police and local media to swarm the building. If there was anything men who frequented strip clubs disliked, it was a bright light and a news camera being turned their way.
At the thought of the clients at the Platinum Pearl, anxiety streaked through my body. Sooner rather than later, I’d have to go there and get back to work. I wondered if Kayla was right, though … wondered if Rodney would let me bartend, not just for a little while, but as a job change. If I studied, I could learn how to mix drinks. Couldn’t I?
Outside my door, the buzz of conversation could be heard. Today they weren’t laughing. Today their conversation sounded hushed and intimate. I pictured their heads bent close together as Chloe learned all the deepest secrets in Gabriel’s heart, those soulful eyes focused on her pretty face. I got up and turned on the bathroom fan, keeping the door open. I didn’t want to hear them. And yet … the envy I felt knowing Chloe was hearing all Gabriel’s most private thoughts rather than me caused an ache to settle in my chest.
You could ask him, Ellie. If you were brave enough, you could ask him to share with you, too.
But then he’d want you to share your secrets as well, a small voice whispered.
A little before five, a knock sounded at my door, and I opened it to find Chloe there. Her smile was radiant. “Hi!”
“Hi, Chloe.”
“I don’t know if Gabriel mentioned that I was going to cook dinner here tonight?”
“Yes, he did. It’s very nice of you.”
She waved her hand in the air. “I’m happy to. I’d have taken them out, but I want you to be as comfortable as possible and so I thought a home-cooked meal would cover all the bases.”
“You’re very kind—”
“And I was hoping you’d keep me company? You don’t have to help if you don’t want to, but I’d love to get to know you a little better. I’ll get you set up on a chair if you can’t stand for long.”