When curvy secretary Monica Jordan catches her dashing billionaire boyfriend, Gabe Stark, in the arms of his gorgeous ex wife, she is heart broken and humiliated. Her instinct is to flee and she cuts him out of her life. Tired of letting her insecurities rule her, she decides to finally take control of her life, and stop playing the victim.
But did she jump to the wrong conclusions? When they meet again months later, Monica wonders if she made the biggest mistake of her life when she left Gabe. Will it be too late for her to have another chance?
This 12,000 word story is the final installment of the Blind Date with the Billionaire Series.
EXCERPT:
As they were calling for the check, Monica turned toward an approaching waiter and her eyes were arrested by the sight of Gabe Stark standing 20 feet away from her. He was walking behind a waiter towards an open table and Monica continued to follow him with her eyes.
She had forgotten how handsome he was in person. Her memories did not do him justice. She drank in the sight of him and admired the way his black suit fit his tall muscular form like a glove. His thick hair was styled back from his face, and he wore that familiar grin that Monica loved so well. It showed off the dimples in his cheeks and gave him a young carefree appearance. It ached just to look at him.
Once he reached the table, Gabe pulled out a chair and that's when Monica noticed he was with a woman. She was tall, beautiful and blonde, and Monica hated her guts. The woman smiled up at Gabe as she took the seat he pulled out for her. She must've said something funny because Monica heard Gabe's deep laughter across the restaurant. Monica's heart sank at the scene. He's obviously on a date, she thought sadly.
"Are you all right, Monica?" Claudette asked, eyeing her with concern.
"I'm fine," Monica replied, pasting on a shaky smile. "Let's get out of here, shall we?"
"Sure. Are you sure you're all right? I could swear you look like you've seen a ghost," Claudette added.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's been a long day," Monica lied.
They got up from the table and Monica squared her shoulders, looking straight ahead, though she couldnβt disguise the pain and longing in her eyes. She didn't want to look in Gabe's direction, but at the last minute, her resolve faltered, and she turned around. Her eyes met Gabe's startled face staring right back at her. He looked shocked to see her and was halfway out of his seat when she turned back around and walked out the door.
"You should really give him a call," Claudette said, squeezing Monica's hand sympathetically once they were both outside.
Monica gave her a weak smile, trying her hardest to hold back the flood of tears she knew would come once she was alone.
"I'll get going now. Give me a call anytime you need to talk," she said, sensing Monicaβs need to be alone.
"Thanks for everything," Monica said. "I really appreciate it."
"Don't mention it. Remember I'm here if you need me," she said before crossing the street to her car.
Monica took a deep breath once she was alone. Even though she promised Claudette she'd hear his side of the story, she had no intention of calling him now, after what she just witnessed. Monica hailed a passing cab and was just about to step in when she stopped in her tracks.
"Monica, wait!"
She turned her head to the sound of the voice and saw Gabe standing just outside the doors of the restaurant looking flustered. She stood still, shocked that he had come after her.
"Are you getting in or not, lady?" the cab driver asked impatiently, as Monica stared at Gabe.
"Oh I'm so sorry," she said, snapping back to attention. She was half tempted to run into Gabe's arms and beg him to take her back but then remembered the blonde woman in the restaurant, and caught herself. She gave Gabe one last look before stepping into the cab and shutting the door.