Finding Isadora(97)

“But you’re into this whole guilt trip where you can’t just go with your instincts, enjoy it, see where it leads.” She nodded firmly. “Yeah, I understand, believe me. But don’t you think it’s dumb, limiting your future like that?”

I’d always respected Janice’s intelligence, but I knew that, when it came to relationships, her judgment stunk. Still, what she’d been saying struck me as wise. Or was I just desperate to rationalize seeing Gabriel?

“Limit my future,” I said thoughtfully. “But Gabriel would only ever be my short-term future. That’s the other thing, Jan. Why go through all this trauma when we’re never going to end up together?”

“You sure about that?”

“He’s totally anti-marriage and never wants to have more kids. He’d want a relationship like Grace and Jimmy Lee’s, and you know that’s exactly what I don’t want.”

“To spend your life sharing love, respect, and great sex?”

I groaned. “Okay, yes to that part. But I also want children and fidelity and commitment. A mortgage and financial security. Not to mention a man to grow old with.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, I know. Me too. And that’s what you figured you’d have with Richard.”

I nodded glumly. “Do you think that perfect man—that perfect relationship—is out there for us?”

She shook her head. “They’re men. They’re never going to be perfect. Unlike us.” She winked, then sighed. “Seriously, I’m positive there’s no such thing as a perfect relationship. You have to make compromises, work at relationships, right? Isn’t that how you grow? If it was perfect, it would be too easy and you’d both end up bored to tears.”

“I can’t imagine ever being bored with Gabriel,” I said ruefully.

“Or me with Martin.” She grinned. “Oh yeah, when we get together tomorrow, I’m going to have a thing or two to say to young Martin Swallow.”

“You really think—” The phone rang, interrupting my question. Glancing at my watch as I got up to answer, I saw it was almost eleven. Who’d be calling at this hour?

“Isadora?”

“Gabriel!”

“I’m downstairs.”

“Oh!” The intercom at the security door of my apartment building was hooked into the phone system so that, when my phone rang, I never knew whether it was really the phone or someone outside. “Uh … I’ll buzz you in.”

Then I stared, wide-eyed, at Janice. “What’s he doing here?” Gabriel, who’d kissed me last night. Gabriel, who’d had dinner with Richard.

She jumped to her feet. “I don’t know, but I bet his plans don’t include me. I’ll disappear now.” She grabbed her purse and hurried for the door with me following.

Gabriel. Oh goddess, discussing Gabriel in the abstract was one thing. I wasn’t sure I was ready to face him in person.

Jan was reaching for the doorknob when I caught her arm and stopped her.

“Izzie, let me go.”

“Don’t.”

“But you and Gabriel need to—”

A knock interrupted her, making us both jump. She narrowed her eyes and glared at me like an angry cat.

I released her arm, sucked in a breath, then yanked the door open and stared at Gabriel.

He wore suit pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, the suit jacket hooked on a finger over his shoulder. Had he been in court today, or chosen the conventional clothes because he was seeing Richard?

“Isa…” he started, then his voice faded when he saw I wasn’t alone.

He looked tired, tousled, and absolutely wonderful. My heart did some weird trick that made me feel at peace and excited all at the same time. I wanted to reach out for him but a host of emotions held me back. “Come in, Gabriel.”

He did, to face Pogo’s onslaught. As Gabriel bent to pat him, I turned to Janice, expecting to have to grab her so she didn’t escape, but she’d frozen in place, staring at my visitor.

Gabriel straightened and held out his hand to her. “Hello.”

“Janice Wong, meet Gabriel DeLuca,” I said to the accompaniment of Pogo’s snuffly whimpers expressing his disappointment at not having held Gabriel’s attention for longer.

Janice took his hand gingerly, as Gabriel said, “A pleasure.”

She shook quickly and released his hand. “Me too. So, you’re Gabriel.” She was turning bright red.

He studied her face, then his eyes began to twinkle. “Let me guess. You’ve been talking about me.”

“She’s my best friend,” I said defensively.

“Ah.” He gazed at me, then gave a rueful smile that told me he’d guessed that the discussion had been pretty explicit.

“Come in and sit down,” I said. “I’ll, uh, pour some wine.”

“I’ve had enough wine,” Janice said. “I should be going.”

“Jan!” I shot her a warning look. If she left me alone with Gabriel, then … I had no idea what would happen. And I wasn’t ready to find out.

“Have a cup of tea or coffee then,” Gabriel said.

I wondered if he was just being polite or if he, too, wanted to postpone the moment when … whatever was going to happen would happen.