Page 42 of Buying Angel

I looked over at him as he sat there, looking as worried as Gaby, then looked back at Gaby and saw her take a deep breath. I decided to coax Gaby along. Whatever she had to say was obviously important to her, and I had a feeling we all needed to hear it.

“Gaby, I’m sure whatever you have to say isn’t going to be as bad as you think.”

She took one last glance over at Nico before she turned to me and started to speak. “First, Hudson, I want you to know that I never intended to end up like this. Over the past couple of weeks, you have given me the life that I had always wanted. The one I thought I could have with Vincent, but was sorely mistaken. You have cared for me and treated me the way every woman wants to be treated. I just want to say that I am sorry for what I am about to say.”

I was confused as she paused after her last statement. Why was she sorry? It had to be that she was going to break up with me. She was going to take Nico's and my dream away from us. I jumped out of my seat and was on my knees next to her in a flash.

“Gaby, whatever you need—”

She quickly placed her finger on my lips to stop me.

“Please let me finish, before you jump to conclusions.”

I smiled and gave her a nod, as I returned to my seat.

“As I was saying. I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t, but I have fallen in love with another man. I tried my hardest to stop the feelings that were growing inside me, but he made it so easy for me to fall. The way he has looked after me these past two weeks, protecting me this evening from Vincent, I can’t hide them anymore. I love Nico. In fact, I love both of you.”

I nearly jumped for joy when I heard her say that. I could see the worry that had been on Nico’s face had also morphed itself into joy. I didn’t want Gaby to think I was ecstatic about this, but I also didn’t want her to be worried either. I went to speak, but she stopped me.

“Before you say anything, I wanted to ask you both something. There is no way I could choose between either one of you to spend my life with. Could you see a future where we could be in a relationship together? I know there is no way we could get married, and the only way I could do that would be to choose one of you, but I can’t do that. I love you both, and if you can’t agree to that, then I guess I will have to live a life alone and unhappy.”

I could see the tears starting to form in her eyes as she thought about the chance she could lose both of us. Nico was sitting there almost springing out of his seat, itching to embrace and comfort her, like I knew he already had this evening when Vincent left.

I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. She loved us both, and wanted us both. Life couldn’t have been more perfect. But would she feel the same once I told her our side of the story?

I squeezed her hand that I was still holding, brought it up to my lips, and pressed a kiss to it. She smiled at me slightly, but it was one full of sadness and worry. I could tell she was nervous at what I had to say, but she didn’t need to be. I took both her hands in mine.

“Gaby, you really don’t need to worry. Both Nico and I are happy that you love us both. However, before you make any decision, I think you need to hear what I have to say. I was going to tell you this tonight anyway, but it seems even more poignant now that you have told us your feelings.”

I knew I had to tell her everything, but I still wasn’t sure how she would take the fact that Nico and I were already in a loving relationship together. I looked over at Nico, who gave me a slight nod to continue. We were both putting our love on the line here, and knowing that Nico agreed for me to go ahead gave me the support and motivation I needed.

“So, I need to tell you something about Nico and me. Something that might shock you.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

GABRIELLA-ROSE

I HAD BEEN SO nervous when I walked into the private dining room, even with Nico behind me. I knew I had made the right decision with the dress when I saw the look on Hudson’s face. In one moment, he went from the loving man I knew to a man who wanted to devour me in the bedroom. This gave me a small amount of confidence, that I could elicit a reaction like that just by walking into a room wearing this dress. However, I was still worried about what I was going to say this evening.

As soon as I felt Nico’s hand on my back, I felt his calming influence come over me again. What was it about these two men that made me feel so alive?

I knew I had to tell them both my feelings, not just Hudson. I had to make sure that Nico stayed here with us as I explained everything. I was pleased when Hudson agreed. When Hudson took my hand in his, it gave me the confidence I needed to speak.

I watched intensely as I told Hudson everything, trying to gauge how he was feeling. When I saw the confusion come over his face first, I was worried how he would take my feelings for the both of them. It came as a little relief when he squeezed my hand and said that both he and Nico were happy that I loved them both.

Looking over at Nico, I could see he was indeed happy. However, that soon changed when Hudson said I needed to hear what he had to say before I made any kind of decision. That was only compounded when he continued to speak.

“So, I need to tell you something about Nico and myself. Something that might shock you.”

I looked at Hudson in confusion. What could he tell me about the two of them that would shock me? I knew they were close and best friends. There really wasn’t much else that there could be to their relationship, was there? I looked at Nico sitting beside me, who gave me a smile and placed his hand on my arm.

“Just listen to what Hud has to say, Rosa. Then, once you have heard everything, you can ask questions and make a decision. Okay?”

Nico took one of my hands in his and started to draw circles on it to calm my worry and nerves. No matter what he did, though, it didn’t settle my unease at what Hudson was about to say. Nico smiled at me sweetly and gave me a slight nod of the head as if to say turn to Hudson. I turned my head and looked at Hudson who had a worried expression on his face as he spoke.

“Please don’t worry, Gaby. I’m sure it isn’t as bad as you think.”

I took a deep, calming breath and gestured for Hudson to continue.