NEW BEGINNINGS

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

She was going to press it again when the door opened. He looked at her from head to toe

"Wow Wanda, killing this dress"
"Thank you, Gabriel. I hope I am not overdressed"

She said, giving him a hug

"No, you are not. You are perfect for the night. Come on in"

He said as he moved away from the doorway so she could go in

"Nice place" Wanda complimented
"Thanks. This way"

He said as he led her to the dining table. Dylan wasn't even at the table

"You've met my girlfriend Val?"
"Yeah, you did a horrible introduction the last time we met remember?" She teased as she stretched out her hand to Val who took it with delight. You don't get to have dinner with a billionaire every day.

"Nice to see you again," Val said
"The pleasure is all mine," Wanda said back

She couldn't place her fingers on it but there was something about Val that she liked. She figured that with time, they would be best of friends

"I know you are probably wondering where Dylan is. He went to the store. We ran out of wine and he volunteered to go get some because you were not here and he was feeling oppressed by Val and me"
"Does that even make any sense to you?" Val asked
"It doesn't but he has always been like that"

Wanda smiled and the front door opened. Dylan walked in. He paid no attention to the dining room and went straight to the kitchen. He got an ice bucket but he would definitely need a little help

"Can I get a little help?" He yelled from the kitchen
"I would handle it," Gabriel said, standing up
"No, let me. You already made dinner. Let me do something"
"I'm letting you do this just because it's Dylan"

He said to her as she stood up. He could not help but admire her body. If Dylan didn't fix things up tonight, he was going to kick him out for the night, Gabriel thought. Wanda went into the kitchen. She took deep breaths before finally saying

"What do you need help with?"

He turned sharply. She was here and she was damn! He couldn't speak. The words already ran away. He just kept staring at her. She smiled. Damn, her dimples were still as obvious as when he remembered. She was here, and she looked exactly like she did when he first met her at a party. She was just as beautiful. He couldn't explain it. An armless dress, his turn on. He loved skin. He loved to see it, to touch it, to feel it. Had she done that on purposes? The dress was fitted, just the way he liked it. Her shape was outlined. Every curve was pronounced and her small waist was everything. He missed touching her. He missed holding her.

"Uhm, I...  I'm sorry. I didn't know you were here already"
"I guessed as much. What do you need help with?"
"I... Uhm... I... I Uhm. Just grab that bucket"

He said. As she turned to carry the ice bucket, he turned and started to take deep breaths. 'Dy, get yourself together!' he said to himself

"Here," she said, handing him the bucket. "Are you sure you're okay?" Wanda asked him
"Yeah, I am. I am just amazed, surprised. You look amazing"
"Thank you"

She said, smiling as she brushed her hair behind her right ear. She looked up at him and he held her gaze. She gave him the bucket

"I should get back to the table"
"Yeah sure. That is totally fine"

She smiled at him. He was still like she remembered. He was nervous. She got back to the table and sat down. Gabriel dishes out her food and she was sure that it was going to be an amazing dinner. She looked up from her food and saw the both of them staring at her, Val and Gabriel

"What's wrong?" Wanda asked
"I need a favor from you," Gabriel said
"Sure, what's that?"
"I've been having issues at work and I might get fired," Gabriel said
"You are one of the best reporters around. Why would they fire you?"
"I have no idea but I think that is exactly where I am headed"
"Have you told Dylan yet?"
"I've not and I'm not one of the best reporters around. I am way more of a journalist than a reporter"
"My bad. What do you want me to do for you then?"
"I don't know, out in a few calls to my boss maybe. Words of recommendation would be nice so he wouldn't fire me"
"So what if he fires you? You would just work for another company"
"Like it is that easy," he said
"Fine. I would call your boss and tell him I want to hire you"
"You would? I mean hire me?"
"I mean we really do need an extra journalist in the entertainment section down at the citizens so why not"
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah, I am. I would talk to Phil about it"
"Wow, thank you"
"You're welcome," Wanda said as she smiled "but that would mean that you would be stuck with me for a while"
"I really don't mind"

He said. That was Wanda for you. She was always helping people. She never said no to anybody. As long as she could help, she was going to and when she couldn't, she would rather find someone that could help you out than give up on your problem and your situation. It made no sense to her not to help out. Dylan came out of the kitchen. He was more composed than earlier. Dinner was fun, bringing up memories from the old days when they were in high school. They talked about everything. Wanda, Dylan, Brie, and Gabriel were close friends and Wanda sat there, wondering what actually pulled them away from each other. Probably life and distance