Unexpected

Chapter 5

JOANNA

What the hell happened during dinner?

One moment Gabe and I are just eating our food and having a good time and the other he's saying he's there for me if I ever need a big brother to kick Jaxon's ass. Did I really get it right? Did he really say big brother?

After finishing my wine, I walked back inside the house to do the dishes. Now that the kitchen is sparkling clean, I peek outside to see if there's any sign of Gabe.

Not surprisingly, he's nowhere to be seen.

I still can't believe I basically said he's a man-whore to his face. I mean, I wouldn't be lying. But who am I to judge his actions? He's a handsome, famous, and very much single guy as far as I know. He can do whatever he wants with his life.

My issue is with committed men who can't keep it in their pants. It has nothing to do with Gabe.

Sighing, I head to my bedroom to get my computer. I came here to focus on myself and that's what I'll be doing. As Gabe and Maria pointed out, this house is big enough for two people to live together for a while. And if he's fine with me staying as he said he is, I'll be using my time here to get my life back on track.

Everything inside me is telling me I'll fail, though. After catching Jaxon with another woman, it feels like my confidence hit rock bottom. I can't help but keep questioning my actions, my value, and my looks. But as my mom told me once, I have to keep going; to keep pushing.

The email I got from the publisher with the contract for a new book still sits unread in my mailbox. They had given me three weeks to go over it, and now I need to get back to them by the end of this week. My lawyer says things look pretty standard, so it's up to me now to accept their offer or not.

Grabbing my computer, I walk to the back patio to think. The sky is clear and the cool summer breeze touching my skin makes me smile. Can I force myself to write a new story? I love everything about romance books. I've edited tons of them since I started working as a freelance editor. I know the technicalities of writing a novel. I've written a successful book before. But can I write a book when I have zero inspiration?

A hundred questions flow around in my mind as I get comfortable in a cozy recliner. The enormousness of the sea in front of me definitely put my mundane problems into perspective and a tingle of hope that I can still become a full-time author invades my heart.

When I start my computer, the barking of a dog calls my attention. The sound is loud and urgent, clearly letting one know something is wrong. Looking around, I see it's coming from the neighbor's house on the left.

I'm about to walk to the neighbor's place when I see Gabe walking toward the house. He's frowning and looking around too, and the moment our eyes meet, I know I'm not insane and this dog's bark is not normal.

"Do you think something is wrong?" I ask when he meets me on the doorstep.

"Only one way to find out." He motions to the house by our side, and soon we're knocking on the neighbor's door.

No one answers and the dog seems to bark even louder when he hears the bell ringing. Gabe lets out a frustrated noise by my side, clearly worried too. I look through the windows, trying to see anything.

"The door is unlocked," Gabe says, and before I have time to say how crazy he is to trespass, a black golden retriever comes in our direction, pulling us inside.

"Gabe!" I try, but he's already following the dog.

"What's up, buddy?" Gabe says as we walk to the kitchen.