Page 20 of One Week
Amazing. I love your process. You are very talented, Gabriella.
No one calls me Gabriella. I’m Gabbie. I’m Mommy. Seeing my name spelled out in its entirety makes me feel special… sexy. I love it. Gabriella is the woman I really am inside, the one nobody sees because I’m always too busy being a mom, wife, and friend.
Thank you.
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I’m glad we met,he replies.
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Me too. It’s always nice to meet a fellow artist.
I watch the little circles dance, they pop up and disappear. Again and again. He’s writing something. It goes on and on. Whatever he’s writing, it’s long. What is it? The suspense is driving me insane.
What is he writing?!
Finally, his message appears, and it completely takes me for a loop. My heart races, and I feel a little nauseous at the sight of it. It’s not what I had expected at all.
We should video chat sometime. It might be easier. I’d love to meet you, hear your voice. :)
Oh damn, what do I do now?
When I don’t reply, he sends another message.
I’m not hitting on you. I know you are married with children. I have no intentions. I just think it would be nice to meet and chat. :)
I know exactly what I should say. I should writeNo, thank you. Chatting like this is just fine.But, hell no! Curiosity killed the cat, as they say. This is my chance to confirm he’s not catfishing me. I absolutely need to meet him.
Just one quick chat. That’s all,I reply.
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Great! Looking forward to it.
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Me too.
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Let’s video chat on Facebook. I’ll friend you.
Wait… what now? How does he know I’m on Facebook? Do I have a stalker on my hands? Well, heisgorgeous. There are worse things in life than a beautiful stalker.
Uh… sure. You know how to find me?
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Yes.
And that’s the exact moment I turn down that forbidden road, the one with all the warning signs I refuse to pay attention to. I’m speeding along, to god knows where.
Chapter Nine
JOHN TYPICALLY MAKES DINNER on Friday nights; simple stuff; homemade pizza, burgers, tacos. But tonight, I’m on my own because he’s at another book signing. This one is in Biloxi, Mississippi, of all places. Back in the day, he didn’t do too many of these. But lately, he’s all over the place. Since his books are not selling like they used to, he needs to work harder to promote himself, so he says. It seems like he works a lot more than he ever did.
I’ve heated chicken fingers from a box, and fries, and made a quick salad. I’m pretty much mailing it in tonight, but the kids are happy. I check my Facebook, and my heart goes into overdrive when I see the friend request from Eli.Eli Anderson.There’s also a message request.
