“Let’s chat later.”
I said goodbye and continued with my work although my mind was very clearly not on the communications industry but Gabriella. I liked the thought of meeting her family, even the treasonous brother if I had to. Her mother sounded a classy lady;Southern RoyaltyMackenzie had called her. I chuckled as I thought of her mother and mine sitting at the same table.
An image flashed through my mind of us at our wedding. It caught me off guard and I swallowed hard. I felt a pang in my chest, a want or a need, I wasn’t sure. Maybe counselling was an option. I had no idea where my hesitancy came from. I was no longer worried that Gabriella would move back home, that feeling had passed. If she did, I’d go with her. It wasn’t because my parents had a terrible marriage. They had an ‘upper class’ marriage and I know my father had a mistress that my mother knew about, but that was par for the course in our circles. I wasn’t afraid of committing to something; I stuck out jobs way longer than I should have. I just didn’t know. Gabriella was the perfect woman for me and if I didn’t get my act together, I ran the risk of losing her. I was sure her patience would wear thin at some point. In addition, I was sure she wanted children and there was a time limit on that.
* * *
Mackenzie and I were settled into our seats ready for the flight to the States.
“How was Gabriella last night?” he asked.
“I didn’t see her. An oldout of townfriend called and invited her to dinner. I said she should go.”
“I wonder who that was?” he mused.
“No idea, I didn’t catch her, or his, name.”
A steward fussed around ensuring we were comfortable and that we had everything we needed. We fell silent while we took off and all the while the plane ascended.
“Any further on with themoving intogether?” he asked, as he unclipped his seat belt.
“Jesus. I don’t know why it has to be so complicated, to be honest. I own an apartment, she rents. Either we live in mine, or I sell, and we buy somewhere together. I don’t want to live in a rented house but she loves her house.”
“Buy her house then,” Mackenzie said, as if it was the easiest thing to do.
“Landlord won’t sell, we asked.”
Gabriella had contacted the landlord’s agency a while ago with a view to purchasing the house, only to be told he wasn’t willing to sell. I guess, like I would, he wanted the security of knowing he owned a home should he return to the UK from Dubai. I didn’t want to live in a rented house for fear of losing it should the owner want it back or sell it.
“It’s odd because she’s not like that, normally,” he said, opening his newspaper.
“Like what?”
“So indecisive. She’s ahad a thought, gonna do it nowtype of person. I know she likes that house, but God knows why she wants to hang on to it when she could buy any of them in that neighbourhood.”
“My apartment isn’t as large but it’s certainly big enough for us and, as I said to her,give up your house, move in with me, until we find a more suitable property,” I said.
“Mmm, odd. Maybe I’ll have a chat and see what fears she has,” he said.
I opened my laptop and finished up some reports that I’d been meaning to do. I also started to think that maybe Gabriella was having second thoughts about living with me, although it had only been a couple of days since she’d been chatting with my mother about décor. Maybe my inability to tell her how I feel was causing her to back off, just in case. I mean, I’d be hesitant at moving in with someone if I didn’t know whether they loved me or not. I turned to discuss the matter with Mackenzie to find him asleep. The man slept from the minute we crossed Europe until the time we landed!
“How do you do it?” I joked when he finally woke as the seat belt sign was turned off and we were being encouraged to leave.
“Practice,” he replied, grabbing his flight bag and suit carrier from the steward.
We had nothing other than cabin luggage so sped through arrivals. Of course, we had to separate at customs but met the other side. Once outside, a car was idling in a no park zone waiting to collect us. Mackenzie thanked the driver and we set off for his house.
Mackenzie’s home was a house that would be my retirement dream, should he ever sell it, which I knew he wouldn’t. It had been his parents’ house and sat on the beach. It was a wooden house with a wraparound porch and that evening, after grilling steaks, we sat on wooden chairs and drank beer. The sound of the ocean was hypnotic and whether it was the time difference or a sense of absolute peace, I felt myself drifting off.
“Head on up to bed, Alex, if you want.”
“I think I shall. Thanks for the food and beer, and for the hundredth time, this house is bloody amazing! If one comes up for sale nearby, be sure to let me know.”
I’d texted Gabriella to let her know that we had arrived and how much I adored the house. I also told her that I was totally exhausted and heading to bed. She wished me pleasant dreams, of her, she added, and promised to call the following day.
I don’t recall my head hitting the pillow before I was asleep.
The following morning, we were off. First stop was the car restoration company that Mackenzie had invested in. An old school friend welcomed him with a handshake and a pat on the back. We looked over accounts, seeing a flourishing business but one that didn’t have the cash flow to buy Mackenzie out.
