Predestined Hearts

by Kelly Elliott

  The smile on Gael’s face widened. “It doesn’t go with the clam chowder, but I thought we could make an exception.”

  He took the metal dome off the plate. On a white doily, several biscuits laid arranged in a perfect circular pyramid. A bowl of strawberry jam was to the right with a small spoon in it. “These biscuits and jam are recipes that have been in the family for generations. So there’s a chance they are the same ones Daniel took to Sophia.”

  My eyes widened. “Gael, you’re amazing. I don’t know what to say.”

  His face grew more solemn as he reached across the table. I grabbed his hand. “Say you’ll wait for me, Ashlin. Say, we’re exclusive. Say, you’re going to become mine when I get back. I have a feeling that Harris isn’t going to go away easily. I only want a chance.”

  I got up and walked to Gael, needing the contact. He brought me onto his lap and I looked into the depths of his eyes. “I’ll wait for you. We’re exclusive. I’m going to become yours when you get back. It doesn’t matter what Harris tries. We’re finished. I wouldn’t get involved with someone else if there was anything remotely left to salvage between Harris and me.”

  Seeing Gael not confident or laid back was different. He honestly seemed worried about the outcome of Harris. In the end, I couldn’t blame him and knew that was why he had put distance between us at his house. It was the right thing to do—all things considered. I leaned down and gently kissed him as the grip of his hands tightened around my waist.

  As the kiss ended, Gael said, “I like that response.”

  Two weeks was going to be agony, but if it showed Gael I was ready to move on, the separation would be worth it. Getting my breakup announced to the public was first on my agenda when I got home.

  It neared eleven o’clock. We had stayed at the restaurant and talked for hours about anything and everything. The more I got to know Gael, the more I hoped this turned into something serious. Seeing the sparks between Gael and I showed me how long ago Harris and I had actually ended. Only pretenses and the outside world had kept our relationship going.

  My fingers touched my lips where they still felt warm from Gael’s good-bye kiss as I leaned against the door. We had stood on the front steps for twenty minutes trying to walk away from each other, which resulted in many kisses meant to be the last until we saw each other again. A vibration in my pocket alerted me to a text.

  Gael: I wish I was still on your front porch kissing you. It’s taking everything in me not to turn around.

  Me: I still wish you were here, too. Chef François better be worth it.

  Gael: I’m not sure he is at this point.

  Me: You make me feel special.

  Gael: Because you are special, Ashlin. Night.

  Me: Night. Be careful. xx

  Gael: I will. I love your kisses.

  Gael wasn’t going to get but an hour or two of sleep. Flying in business class would let him catch up for his grueling two-week cooking jaunt he was about to undergo. Wanting my relationship with Harris to be over on all accounts, I marched with a new sense of determination to my laptop. Opening up the e-mail application, I pounded the keys with more fervor than was needed.

  With Harris being single, and one of the most eligible bachelors, I imagined the PR team capitalizing on this opportunity.

  It felt good to get that off my chest. Working on my other client e-mails, I got approvals to proceed with several projects I was working on. That would help keep me busy over the next two weeks. Hopefully, I’d continue to push ahead of schedule which would open up more time to spend with Gael when he returned.

  As I was about to head to bed, an e-mail came across from Harris.

  Rolling my eyes, I started upstairs. Obviously, Harris hadn’t spoken to Sabrina about the breakup. I’d be getting a phone call in the next twenty-four hours reprimanding me like an errant child. Regardless, all that mattered was that the announcement was made. This part of my life felt dirty after the refreshing presence of Gael.

  Changing clothes, I got under the covers and thought back on my afternoon. The only word that completely encompassed the feelings and experience was magical. Any memory with Gael brought a smile to my face and my heart swelled with happiness.

  The phone danced across my nightstand as it rang. Gael. I answered. “Hey, you should be in bed.” The soft lilt in my voice showed tenderness.

  “Ashlin.”

  I sat erect at Harris’ cold business tone. The screen confirmed it was him when I glanced at it. I felt sick to my stomach I had greeted him the way I had.

  “Harris.” My tone matched his.

  Letting out an exasperating sigh, he spoke, “I take it that you weren’t expecting me.”

  “What do you want, Harris?”

  “Who are you seeing?”

  Why was Harris now acting interested in me? It was frustrating. Everything felt like a game with him. A game I was done playing.

  We weren’t getting anywhere and I could hear the furious pounding of keys on his side. “Harris, all we have to talk about is when the announcement will be made and how I can get the rest of my stuff.”

  A menacing almost-laugh came through on the other end. “That is not all we have to discuss. You should have let me handle this with Sabrina.”

  “Harris, you’ve had plenty of time to handle it. I’m tired of this dragging on. We have two choices here. You can either handle the announcement in a discreet manner or I’ll let the press know. I don’t want to have to do that. We had some good years, but it’s time for us to admit it’s over and move on.”

  Silence extended over the phone for an uncomfortable amount of time. Dueling with Harris drained me.

  An incessant tapping started. Harris was probably hitting his pen on the desk as he thought. The image was clear in my mind from seeing it repeatedly through the years. “Okay, Ashlin. I’ll make the announcement. It’ll run the day after tomorrow in the Post.”

  “Thanks, Harris. That’s all I wanted. I really do wish you the best. Have a good night.” With Harris conceding, my mind relaxed.

  The tapping stopped. “Good night, Ashlin. But know this—it is far from over. You’re getting the announcement, but we are not done.”

  “Harris, it is over.” I tried to hit the End button and noticed the phone was already disconnected.

  Asshole.

  As I laid down, I hoped that Harris would realize that the effort was in vain and would move on to securing someone that was more fitting for his lifestyle. I’m sure there was someone who wouldn’t mind being considered an asset versus a lover.

  Thoughts turned to Gael, which helped alleviate my anger. Every moment from today played before my mind as I drifted off to sleep.

  Rays of morning light penetrated my slumber. The clock on the nightstand read eight in the morning. As I stretched, my mouth let out a contented sigh.

  Picking up my phone, I saw I had a text message from Gael. It was from four thirty this morning.

  Gael: At the airport. Check your front porch. I’ll be flying across the Atlantic when you get this.

  The text had me racing down the stairs in two seconds flat. Moving this quick in the morning was a first for me. The front door was flung open and my eyes were drawn to an envelope and a white calla lily that sat on top. Not able to wait, I opened the note while I stood at the threshold in my pajamas and read it.

  The words from the letter leapt off the page and had me jumping and squealing like a schoolgirl. A passerby stopped and watched me. These Stowe men knew how to woo their women.

  “Oh, sorry. Exciting news.”

  The older gentleman chuckled. “I’d say it’s the news of first love.”

  I nodded my head. We weren’t in love—yet. But, this could be what the beginning of first love felt like. There had been a glimpse of it with Harris, but what I felt with Gael showed how insignificant my feelings for Harris had been through the years.

  I knew Gael wouldn’t get this until he landed, but at least he’
d know I’d read the note when he got my text.

  Me: I’ll wait for you. I can’t stop thinking of every second either. Hurry back.

  This was the fairytale I had always hoped for but been too scared to wish for, not believing I deserved to have it. Knowing this gave me a glimmer of hope that maybe I was enough for someone to love. I hadn’t been enough to keep my father for wanting to stay and not take his life. The memory of the gunshot sound rang though my mind, signifying the moment Dad abandoned me.

  IT WAS AFTER lunch. A delivery man from Gael’s Place had stopped by with food. For the hundredth time, I reread the note that had been in the bag.

  The crustless quiche and chocolate pound cake had greeted me when I opened the containers. I had nearly licked the containers clean, wanting more of the exquisite taste. Before folding the note, I reread it one more time.

  Based on the time difference, I figured it would be late tonight or tomorrow sometime when I heard from Gael. I missed his presence and hearing his voice. The day seemed to drag on.

  As I was about to rebury myself in my work, my phone rang. It was Amelia.

  “Hey, there. How’s the married life treating you?”

  She chuckled. “Good. The sex is still great.”

  At her bachelor party, she’d announced to the bar that even though she was getting hitched, her sex life would still be explosive. Amelia may have been three sheets to the wind, but we had captured it on video.

  A small chortle erupted as I remembered when I showed her then fiancé, Steven, in the parking lot of a restaurant where the three of us had eaten for dinner. The manly barbarian had come out of Steven as he hauled Amelia over his shoulder to show her how their sex life would stay even in marriage.

  Quickly, I quipped, “We’ll have to go back to that bar and tell everyone the news. The bartender did say he’d give you a round on the house if you came back.”

  We giggled, then Amelia became serious. “Okay, enough about me. Harris called the house in the early-morning hours incessantly until Steven picked up. Steven told him I’d call him back at a more acceptable hour. Harris was furious. I made that bastard wait until after lunch. Ashlin, I had seventy-four missed calls when I did call him. He’s out of control.”

  All the warm fuzzies I had been feeling dissipated with her words and the blood drained from my face. Harris wasn’t giving up. Going after my friends wasn’t something I had anticipated.

  Barely above a whisper, I asked, “Oh, Amelia. I’m so sorry. What did he want?”

  “Are you seeing someone?” Her voice was inquisitive.

  That was what Harris had called about. Damn it. If only I had looked to see who had been calling before I had answered.

  “Yes.”

  There was no reason to deny it to Amelia. I knew I could trust her, but wanted to see where the relationship went when Gael returned from France before he met my friends.

  Excited squealing came from the other end of the line, “What? You are? Oh shit, Ashlin. This is fantastic news. I thought for sure Harris was on some self-paranoid induced rant, but holy hell he was right. Who is he? What does he do? When can I meet him?”

  “Before I tell you about Gael, tell me what Harris said.”

  I heard a door closing on the other end. She huffed. “Gael. Oh, I like the name. I’d rather have the mystery man details.”

  Amelia paused to see if I would give in and tell her. After I remained silent for a time that said I wasn’t going to give her anything until she spilled, the conversation resumed. “Harris demanded I tell him who you were seeing. I didn’t know. He said I was lying. We went round and round while I gave him a few good jabs. He said you were forcing his hand with a false breakup that was going to make you both look stupid when you realized what you were doing. I gave him a few more jabs. Then we hung up when he was satisfied that I was telling the truth.”

  “He hasn’t called me since we talked last night. I’m sorry you’re getting dragged into this.” My mind tried to anticipate what Harris’ next step would be. No one knew about Gael and me yet so I didn’t have to worry about him contacting Gael before I was able to warn him.

  Amelia interrupted my thoughts. “Sweetie, I always knew when you decided to leave it was going to be rough. With you meeting someone before he has accepted you’re really done, has only upped the ante where Harris is concerned. I had hoped he’d set his sights on someone else before you met someone.”

  “I don’t want him interfering with Gael. I really like him, Amelia.”

  Harris was ruthless and I was afraid I had now become a challenge to conquer. To what ends he would go to try and win, I wasn’t sure. Would Gael think it was too much? The thought of not having Gael in my life made my day seem less bright. Regardless of what he decided, I wouldn’t blame Gael if he decided to not pursue anything with me.

  Amelia’s soft voice brought me out of my panicked thoughts. “Ashlin, if it’s meant to be, Gael won’t let the arrogant ass scare him away. Okay?”

  “I hear ya. I know you’re right.”

  She cleared her throat and sounded cheery, which boosted my inner thoughts. “Now, tell me all about Gael. I want to like him, too.”

  The memories of Gael and how we met were fun to talk about. I savored them as I retold Amelia how we met.

  It was evening and I was exhausted. Through the afternoon, I had been able to stop worrying. But now, lying in bed alone, I fathomed what Harris might possibly do. Maybe he would decide I wasn’t worth it. The Post article was supposed to run tomorrow and I hoped he didn’t force my hand to make the announcement. Anytime someone dealt with the media, you opened yourself for negative criticism and public half-truths.

  I still hadn’t heard from Gael and missed him. The phone ringing had me yelping in surprise. Apprehensively, I glanced at the screen. Gael.

  My anxious fingers nearly caused me to dismiss instead of accept the call. “Hey, you landed.”

  “I did. I’m walking to baggage claim. Chef François is meeting us there, so I only have a few minutes.” Gael sounded tired.

  “How was your—” We spoke at the same time, then laughed. Hearing him calmed my nerves.

  “You go first,” I insisted.

  The intercom for the airport sounded in the background. It was in French as Gael tried to drown it out. “Flight was good. I got to sleep. I dreamed of you the entire time. Now tell me about your day. It’s been too long and I want to hear your voice.”

  Scooting further down in the bed, I wrapped myself in this moment as I snuggled with my blankets. “Started my day off with a note from an amazing man. I had an incredible lunch from a thoughtful guy. Thought about a terrific guy all day long while I worked. That sums up the good parts of my day.”

  I could hear Gael chuckling on the other end. “He sounds like the most incredible guy that could be out there. The ultimate of all the male species. You better not let him go.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. He’s out of the country or I’d let you speak to him. He’s cooking with some fancy schmancy chef.”

  Banter between us came naturally and helped fortify the foundation of what we were building. The thought of Harris ruining this had me internally screaming.

  “Anything else happen? It sounds like you may have had some bad parts to your day.”

  Gael was perceptive. I hated that he was an ocean away, but I refused to ever be anything but honest.

  Taking a deep breath, I began with the Cliffs Notes version of the Harris debacle. Someone spoke English in foreign accent and I could hear the phone muffle as Gael responded on the other end. “Sorry about that. Someone asked the way to baggage claim. Of course, it’s fine to tell people we’re seeing each other. I plan on shouting it from the rooftops.” He cleared his throat. “I hate you’re having to deal with Harris while I’m out of the country. If Harris bothers you again, tell him who I am. I’d rather him try to bother me than you. Are you okay?”

  Gael was concerned about me and that flutt
ery feeling reemerged in my stomach. I still wanted to protect Gael from having to get involved in my personal drama. “I’m okay. I knew this would be a process, but had hoped he wouldn’t know I was seeing anyone to make it easier to cut ties. Don’t take this wrong, Gael. Please, hear me out.”

  “Okay.” His voice was apprehensive.

  Quickly, I continued on to hopefully squelch any worry. “I’d prefer for him not to know who you are until you get back. I don’t want him causing problems with you and Chef François or at your restaurant while you’re not here. Harris is drama and I want to keep you from it as much as possible. I don’t want to be the high-maintenance girlfriend from the get-go and—”

  Cutting me off, Gael spoke. “Ashlin, first off, Harris can try to come after me, but he won’t succeed. My only concern is you. That’s it. You’re not high maintenance, sweetheart. Don’t think that. You can’t help you have a bastard of an ex-boyfriend. I have a chance with you and I’m not backing down because of some self-entitled maniac. I can’t blame Harris for fighting for you. I’d go down swinging, too, if I thought I was losing you.”

  I was stunned into silence.

  “Ashlin, are you still there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you hear me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you upset?”

  “No.”

  Gael’s words still replayed in my head and I wanted to kick around in excitement. The powerful words were intoxicating.

  “Sweetheart, I need a little more than one-word answers. I can’t see your face.” Gael’s soothing voice had more tears streaming down my face.

  Taking a steadying breath, I responded, “I’m fine. I’m more than fine. It’s hard to put into words what I’m feeling. Your passion for me stuns me. The way you talk about me as if I’m precious to you is overwhelming, in a good way. You make me feel all sorts of things I’m not used to feeling. I’ve been drowning and numb for longer than I care to admit. With you, I feel alive and that I can finally breathe. But then the logical side kicks in, and we literally just met. I’m just—we just—”