“You did really good,” Louise confirmed.
Despite the accolades coming his way, Wade’s gaze never left Gabi’s face. “You really like it?”
“I would love anything you made for the baby, but, Wade, this is incredible,” she told him, reaching for his hand.
Though he’d told her in words so many times how he already cared for this baby she was carrying, right here in front of her was the proof. He’d poured his whole heart into making this gift.
When he leaned down to touch his lips to hers, she looped an arm around his neck and held him in place. “I love you,” she whispered against his lips.
She could feel his smile against her face. As he stepped away, that smile had become a full-fledged grin.
“You don’t get to take that back, you know,” he told her, holding her gaze.
“The cradle? Never.”
“Not the cradle. What you said.”
“What did she say?” Louise asked.
“Between us,” Wade told his sister.
Gabi’s own smile grew. “Wouldn’t even try to take it back,” she told him.
Though she hadn’t imagined any of this—not the baby, not the new direction for her career and definitely not falling in love—it seemed she was all in for every single, exciting moment of it.
23
The Art Colony Studios and Gallery opening was scheduled for the weekend before Memorial Day. Gabi was still astounded that everything had come together so quickly. The fact that she’d had the stamina for all the hours of work it had entailed was something of a miracle, too. She had Wade to thank for sticking close every minute to do any task she assigned to him. Even Emily and Samantha had come home this week to pitch in.
Beside her now, Emily gave her a hug. “This place is amazing,” she assured Gabi. “I still can’t believe that you were able to turn this house into a gallery for working artists in such a short amount of time.”
“I had help,” Gabi reminded her. “Wade did the renovations with help from Tommy Cahill, Jimmy and Jimmy’s dad. And I seem to recall that you contributed your share of ideas for some of the design details. Tommy said he was in awe that you could handle so much from clear across the country. I think he was terrified you’d sweep in here this week and tell him he’d gotten it all wrong.”
“Not a chance,” Emily said. “Believe me, I know when somebody understands the effect I’m trying to achieve, and Wade was completely on board when I went over the sketches with him.” She gave Gabi another hug. “Thank you for giving us the leeway to handle that side of things.”
“I trust your taste and I trust Wade,” Gabi said simply, then grinned. “Besides, Wade showed me everything and got my stamp of approval.”
“Smart man, who obviously knows your control-freak tendencies very well,” Emily said. “Are you happy, Gabi? Really happy? Is this what you want? Staying here with your baby?”
“It is,” she said without hesitation.
“And Wade? Where does he fit in? He’s pretty invested in the relationship. Are you?”
Gabi leaned in to her sister and confided, “I’m in love with him. I finally told him that the day of the baby shower. I have no idea how it happened or why. He’s so different from the men I always thought I wanted, but he’s perfect for me. It kind of annoyed me at first that he seemed able to read my mind, but the truth is, he really gets me.”
“I imagine it helps that he’s gorgeous and devoted to you and the baby.”
Gabi’s smile spread. “Oh, yeah. It definitely helps.”
“Any plans?”
“Too soon. Things need to settle down, and then we’ll see. Right now we’re both caught up in everything that’s happening. Once this place is open and the baby’s here, some of the glow could wear off.”
Emily frowned. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”
“It could happen,” Gabi insisted. “Wade’s had this idealized dream of the perfect family for a long time. A part of me still worries that I’m only filling in for what he lost when Kayla and the unborn baby died in that accident.”
“Honey, he doesn’t look nostalgic when he looks at you. Seems to me he’s very much in the moment. I know because it’s the way Boone looks at me. I so want that for you and for Samantha. I’m pretty sure all it’s going to take for you to have it is for you to say yes when the time comes.”
Gabi wanted to believe that, too, but caution had her holding back on a full-fledged commitment. Maybe if she’d never known the whole story, maybe if Louise hadn’t so openly expressed her skepticism—and who knew Wade better?—maybe if the situations hadn’t been so similar, perhaps then she could have trusted her heart...and Wade’s. As it was, well, she figured time would tell.
* * *
Wade stood off to the side as Gabi worked the crowd who turned out for the opening of the Art Colony Studios and Gallery. She was clearly in her element. Though she’d been complaining for days that she couldn’t find a decent maternity outfit suitable for the occasion, Emily had apparently shown up and saved the day with a simple dress she’d found on Rodeo Drive. When she’d mentioned the name of the designer, Gabi had squealed in excitement, though Wade didn’t have a clue who it was.
What he did know was that the midnight-blue material shimmered beneath the lights that had been carefully directed to showcase the art in each of the individual studios and in the main gallery. Those same lights seemed caught up in Gabi’s eyes, sparkling like the small diamonds at her ears. She’d swept her hair up in a way he’d never seen before, exposing her neck and causing him to fight the urge to sneak a kiss behind her ear where a stray curl brushed against delectable skin.
She was so incredibly beautiful, it blew his mind to think that
