Falling into Exposure by A. Zavarelli Read Free Book Online Page B

directions to wherever we’re going,” he says briskly.
    “Well, actually, it’s just around the corner. We could walk if you want to.”
    He furrows his brow for a moment while he contemplates my suggestion. Then he turns to Paul and directs him to take the rest of the evening off. He saunters up and pulls me into a soft kiss, taking my hand in his.
    “You’ll freeze,” he says disapprovingly. “But you look beautiful.”
    “Well, lucky for me, I have you to keep me warm,” I say.
    Five minutes later we arrive at our destination. It’s an Italian restaurant in the basement of an old brick building. I’ve come here several times with Alanna and loved it. Plus the privacy it will give us is an added bonus.
    Once inside, we sit down and Gabriel orders our drinks. I stare dreamily at him as he speaks in his deep, rich voice to the waiter. He’s wearing a light blue dress shirt with his gray vest, which takes me by surprise. I didn’t realize until now that I’ve only ever seen him in white and black. I watch the shirt stretch across his broad chest as he sits back in the booth, chuckling at my dopey eyed grin.
    “What are you thinking about over there?”
    “Just how unbelievably sexy you look in that shirt. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in that color before.”
    “You’re right, it’s new. I saw it, and it just felt right. I needed to mix up my wardrobe a bit I think.”
    “Well, I love it.” I grin.
    The waiter reappears with our drinks and retrieves a writing pad from his apron. Gabriel orders first and then watches me attentively as I order the same dish. Gnocchi alla Rosetta .
    He smiles as the waiter leaves the table. “Once again, Victoria, you are full of surprises.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Picking this place. It’s not what I would have expected, at all. But I like it. And I love the fact that you can actually sit down with me and enjoy a meal without counting the carbs out loud as you eat.”
    “I love food.” I laugh. “Can’t deny that. And I like it here too. Alanna and I stumbled upon it one night by accident. It reminds me of my mom.”
    His eyes grow sympathetic in response to my words. “What about your mom? Where is she?”
    “She passed away when I was young,” I mumble, feeling stupid for even bringing it up.
    “I’m sorry,” he murmurs, reaching for my hand across the table.
    The simple gesture makes me emotional again, and the words spill from my mouth before I can stop them.
    “She was Italian, and she made some kick ass food. My Dad loved it. He used to talk about her food for years, right up until the day he died.”
    “Both your parents are gone?” he frowns.
    “Yes.” I choke out a smile. “But it all seems like so long ago now.”
    “Still, I can’t imagine being so young and not having your parents around.”
    “I was young when my mom died,” I say. “I don’t remember her very well, but I remember how much she loved me. I knew she would have done anything for me.”
    “What about your Dad?” he asks softly.
    “My relationship with my father was complicated,” I say. “He loved me, but my mom’s passing was very hard on him. He slipped into a depression after she died and everything changed. He started drinking a lot, and it went on for years.”
    I don’t know why I’m telling him all of this, but it feels good to get it off my chest. The conversation Alanna and I had today is weighing heavily on my mind. The possibility of staying is a fantasy I can entertain, at least for tonight.
    “And then he stopped drinking?” Gabriel prods me on.
    “One day he did,” I say, recalling it clearly in my memory. “Everything changed, just like that. Dad came home, and he was so happy. He was smiling. I hadn’t seen him smile in so long. And he kept smiling after that, for a couple months. Then he introduced me to Eleanore.”
    “Eleanore?” 
    “Yes, Dad brought home Eleanore. She was my step mom.”
    “Oh,” Gabriel says, surprised.