entire space. A smile played on his lips as he took a deep breath. The room smelled like Gabriel’s shampoo with a hint of his cologne. Glancing to the corner, he spotted a small desk and the familiar two-toned wall and chair rail molding, likely where Gabriel sat during some of their video chats. Smack in the middle of the room was a bed big enough to house Gabriel’s large frame with a headboard just as wide. The same headboard that had filled the background during several chats.
Seeing familiar sections made him feel as if he had been here before even though he had never set foot in the room.
Across from the bed was a flat-screen television mounted on the wall and a long dresser beneath it, with a scattering of items on the dresser’s surface including a few framed photos. Ben traced his fingertips along the dresser’s edge until he reached the end where the framed pictures sat. He easily recognized the younger versions of Gabriel and Aidan together in the photograph, both in uniform. It had obviously been taken during their time in service many years ago. Still strong and fearless back then with just as much determination in their expressions. His gaze wandered to the second framed photograph. He pointed and turned, smiling as he waited for Gabriel to respond.
“Yeah. That was my grandfather.” Gabriel neared and pointed to the other faces in the photo. “And that’s Mom and Dad with me and Nat.”
The tension in Gabriel’s body was evident as he stared at the picture. His grandfather and mother had both passed but had left him with a lifetime of happy memories he often shared during their video chats. It was obvious their generous nature and kindness had shaped him into the man he was. But the wedge between him and his father had deepened over the years without his peacemaker mother to bridge the chasm.
He bit his lip at the last picture frame with two narrow strips of photo booth pics they had taken while at the fair.
Ben stepped away from the photographs. He didn’t want to get misty eyed and he definitely didn’t want Gabriel dwelling on his family pics. He poked his head in the en suite bathroom, his eyes rounding.
The bathroom was white but accented with light gray tones on the walls and flooring. Everything looked bright and the mix of tones made it elegant and classy. To his left, there was a long countertop with dual sinks beneath a huge horizontal mirror. Directly across from it, on his right, was a large tub raised on a marble platform in front of the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the ocean. Toward the back wall, shielded by solid walls except for the large glass doors facing him, stood the largest shower enclosure Ben had ever imagined.
He spun on the ball of his foot. “It’s huge!” he signed, his gestures as big and exaggerated as the shower.
Gabriel chuckled. “It’s one of the reasons I love this place and why I miss it when I travel. I hate elbowing the door when I’m in the shower.”
Ben swallowed heavily when Gabriel took a step closer.
“I’m guessing two people could shower in there and still be comfortable.”
He couldn’t respond. He couldn’t move. Not only from Gabriel’s closeness, but his words were telling. “You haven’t had anyone here before?”
Gabriel shook his head. “Hopefully soon.”
He hid a smile as he looked out the large window by the tub. That’s one heck of a peep show for anyone looking into the bathroom. Fingers brushing his arm drew his attention.
“The entire building has privacy film on their windows. From the outside, people just see a reflection. No one can see inside.”
He loved how Gabriel seemed to read his thoughts. He willingly followed when Gabriel took his hand and led them back into the bedroom. He gestured toward the big bed. “Have a seat. Let’s talk about your lease terms.”
He must have misread his lips. He pulled out his phone from his back pocket and typed out a quick note. Lease?
Gabriel nodded as he sat beside him. “I know you’re expecting one, so we need to figure out what’ll work for you. I know you want to support yourself, but I can’t split expenses I’m not paying.”
Ben nodded, everything finally making sense as he connected the dots. Gabriel had mentioned his mortgage was covered as part of his employment agreement. He knew of Gabriel’s work with Davenport and how Rachel’s deceased husband had been