ChloeIt didn’t take me long to get used to thinking about myself as Gabriel’s girlfriend.On the contrary, it came naturally to me, like hearing him addressing me with the title for the first time wasn’t a surprise at all. Though, it was a surprise because we never really talked about our status. But as the initial ‘shock’ wore off, I found myself enjoying the role of Gabriel Miller’s girlfriend.‘Gonna be stuck in the office late. Should I pick up Tai for dinner?’ my phone lit up with a notification, and I only glanced at it since my hands were covered in butter and flour.Ten minutes later, the croissants were in the oven, my fingertips were clean, so I hurried to send Gabe a confirmation.Maybe it was the aftereffect of the circumstances under which we met, but Gabriel was always up for spending the night at my place. In fact, I couldn’t remember the last time he had slept in his bed. Probably not since the gala when he took me there and gifted me the keys. I didn’t mind our sleep

ChloeNervousness about the dinner at Millers tonight took its toll on me, and I had trouble focusing on the pending task of organizing the bachelorette party while I gave my best to maintain the order in the workshop.Residual fumes of yesterday’s uprising were still lurking from the corners, but I paid them no mind. I had too many things on my plate that demanded my attention; sparing a minute for the ungrounded satisfaction of my subordinates was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Nor did I want to.By the end of the working hours, I was quite happy with the results of my hard work. Boothe at our favorite club was reserved; I even convinced the manager to allow a couple of male strippers to perform for us. A package of our preferred drinks was to be shipped to my address. Gina moved in with Ryan after they returned from Paris, so getting ready for the party at her place was out of the question. All her friends were invited, and all she had to do was wait for Friday night.And after a lot

ChloeLike the calm before the storm, my life resembled the safe harbor since Gabriel Miller became part of it.And just like a cloudless, sunny day could unexpectedly turn into a dark blizzard that destroyed everything in its way, so did my life veer suddenly, and happiness was replaced by sorrow.Maybe I should’ve seen it coming. Maybe I should’ve known from the beginning that good things cannot last forever, and what Gabe and I had was far beyond good. It was perfect! Therefore, it was doomed from the start.But I was so lulled in the cocoon of love I failed to notice when the clouds began to form. They caught me off guard, unsuspecting of the demise that rolled over the horizon until it was too late.Though, that’s exactly what love is – blinding to everything else but itself.I didn’t want to believe it at first because she had slipped my mind long ago. I’d forgotten entirely about her and the dress I kept hidden until the night she came to claim it back.To say that I was surpri

GabrielI drove to my beach house like crazy; speeding tickets were tomorrow’s problem.All I could think about was getting to my closet, packing a suitcase with my favorite three-piece suits, and going back home.It was funny how the house I was so proud of stopped being the place where I wanted to spend the nights. It stopped being a home that offered peace because there was nowhere I’d rather be than by Chloe’s side.And considering how we met and everything that transpired between us, the apartment above the pastry shop had an allure I could not explain, but there was no resisting its call. It was where I belonged.I wanted to call her from the car and warn her that Molly was back. I didn’t want her to find it out any other way but from me. However, I decided to wait and tell her in person. In the end, Molly’s influence on our lives was undeniable. Fuck, if there weren’t for her, we’d probably never meet. Besides, Chloe couldn’t hide how torn she was about aiding her escape that d

Chloe“Hey, Chloe!” Simon shouted the moment I walked into the workshop. But when his eyes registered my appearance, he frowned before he kept shooting questions. “What happened to you? You look like a great flood survivor!”He couldn’t know the truth. In fact, no one could.“Warming up for tonight.” a smile crooked my lip. To my best friend’s unsuspecting eye, I must’ve seemed hungover because he bought my excuse without a blink. After all, we did have a party to attend later.I took a moment to inspect the store, only to find everything in perfect order. Everyone was busy with their tasks, and before I had a chance to get to work, too, Simon jumped in again.“This journalist was here when we clocked in. He said a mutual friend told him about you and recommended he write a story about this place. He’s waiting for you in the front.”I froze, struggling to stay composed. This had to be Gemma’s doing. That amazing woman was so generous to me, and how was I repaying her? Breaking her son