Chapter 28

"Sonia! Hey come on in!" Eva Lambert exclaimed inviting her Sonia in her home.

Sonia walked in to the elegant home of Eva and Alex Lambert's home. Alex was a successful lawyer, probably one of the best and Eva was a housewife just like Sonia. Their house was big with elegant lighting and fine furniture.

"What brings you here today?" Eva asked offering Sonia a seat.

"I don't know I just came by to visit. I guess I get bored at home you know."

Eva laughed. Her blue eyes looked pale that morning and her brown hair was pinned up. She was a year younger than Sonia and one of Sonia's best friends. They had both attended college together and that's where they both met the Lambert brothers Ron and Alex.

"I know what you mean. I get so bored around here too. Ever since David moved out, I really have no one to talk to. Hell I wanted to hire a maid just so I could have someone to talk to."

Sonia scoffed. "I had that same idea too."

"Did you want something to drink? I've just put on a fresh pot of coffee," Eva offered.

Sonia nodded. "No but thank you anyway. I just had two cups this morning. Like you, I never get to see my child either. Rebecca still lives at home with us, but yet she's never home."

"I know David doesn't live at home, but yet he never comes to visit like he used to. And that's because we live in the same town. Can you imagine if he lived out of town or out of the state? He'd be nonexistent."

Both women laughed. "Listen, I know David is a good person. I mean he let's Rebecca stay over almost every night. I trust him with my daughter. Sometimes I think they are more like brother and sister than cousins," Sonia stated.

Eva smiled. "Yes. I love Becca like my own daughter you know that."

"You know she's been such a good girl lately. I know in the past she was quite a handful but I don't know what's been happening lately. She seems more calm and happy. Whatever phase she's going through, I like."

"I know what you mean. The last time I spoke with David, which was about last week sometime, he sounded really happy. I know he'd gone through that nasty breakup with Amber, but now it seems he's put all that behind him," Sonia said happily.

"We do have good children," Eva agreed.

"Indeed. So tell me, did you feel like maybe going shopping today?"

Sonia's eyes brightened up. "I thought you'd never ask!"

"Alright then. Let me get my purse and let's go!"

"Hey what are you doing here?" David asked as he stood up to greet Rebecca.

She looked stunning in her short blue jean skirt and a white spaghetti strap shirt. Her hair was in a ponytail and her lips were glossy.

"I just decided to come by and say hi. Is that so bad?"

He closed the blinds on the window in his office and put his arms around his cousin. "Not bad at all. You can come by anytime."

He leaned down to plant a long wet kiss. Her lip-gloss got all over his lips. She laughed and he blushed wiping it off.

"Listen, I was thinking about us," Rebecca began.

David stroked her hair listening to her attentively.

Rebecca hesitated at first. "Well, I think we should tell our parents about us soon. I mean like really soon."

"I agree. I'm still thinking of how to tell them. Should we tell them over dinner or call them? I can't think of any "right" way to tell them."

Rebecca held her cousin tighter. "Yeah me neither. I just know I want to be with you. I am so tired of sneaking around. It feels like we are doing something forbidden, which that may be true but I don't think it is. I love you and I want everyone to know."

David cupped her face and kissed her lips softly. "I love you too and I know this isn't going to be easy, but I'm willing to take the chance."

"So when do you think we should say something?" Rebecca asked cautiously.

David pulled away from her and ran his finger through his hair. "How about tomorrow night over dinner. We could invite them out to a restaurant or maybe invite them to the apartment."

"I think the apartment is better."

David felt nervous but he knew he had to do this. They'd been sneaking around too long and he was tired of it. It was time their secret was out no matter how much it might hurt their parents. If they continued to keep it a secret, eventually their own relationship might get hurt. He didn't want that. He wanted Rebecca to be seen as his lover not his cousin.

Amber smiled in a daze as she stacked up the new paperbacks in the non-fiction section. She hadn't feel so good in months. She still recalled Gabriel's dark brown eyes staring at her. She blushed having thinking naughty things about him. She hadn't had thoughts like that in a long time.

The bookstore was crowded that day and it was almost time for her break. She was going to get herself a cup of coffee and finish reading yet another book like she had been for the past months.

"Amber? You got a phone call," Terese, Amber's co-worker announced.

"I'll be right there," Amber said cheerfully climbing down the ladder. She fixed her black t-shirt that was beginning to ride up her body.

"Hello?"

"I hope we are still on for tonight."

Amber blushed. It was Gabriel. "Of course we are. Why wouldn't we be?"

"Oh I don't know I thought last night was some sort of dream that's all."

Amber giggled. "You're so silly. You just called to ask me that?"

"Well yes but I also called just to hear your voice."

Amber's heart fluttered. "I'm glad you called. It's good to hear you too even with all that noise in the background."

Gabriel smiled as he held the phone. "Sorry I'm at the shop. I guess I should have called you from the office phone."

"No that's fine. I was just kidding. I will see you tonight."

Gabriel sighed blissfully. "Ok then. See you tonight. I won't be late."

Amber laughed. "You better not be."

She hung up the phone and couldn't stop smiling. Terese raised an eyebrow at her. "Amber you look too happy."

Amber nodded. "I am. Very happy."

She walked off as if she was walking on air. She went back to work and found herself humming to herself.

"Becca! It's good to hear from you!" Sonia yelped holding the phone to her hear with her shoulder as she put her shopping bags down.

"Hi Mom. I'm sorry I wanted to stop by but the drive is too long and plus I don't get to drive again for another two months. Once my record is cleared you know."

Sonia nodded. Rebecca had gotten in trouble for driving under the influence a while back and had her license suspended. Sonia was proud of her for that but did feel good that Rebecca had behaved herself in the past few months.

"So anything new?" Sonia asked after a brief silence.

Rebecca sighed. "Yes. Listen mom, I need you and dad to come over to David's apartment tomorrow night."

"Oh? What's going on?"

"Well, we have something to talk to you all about." Rebecca almost hesitated to say.

"Are you all OK Becca? You got me worried now."

"No, mom please don't worry. It's OK." Rebecca lied.

Sonia felt concerned. She hoped neither Rebecca or her nephew were in trouble.

"Ok sweetie I'll be sure to tell your father. I'll call him right now and hopefully I'll be able to get a hold of him."

"Thanks mom," Rebecca said weakly.

She hung up the phone and tears rolled down her face. She didn't want to hurt her parents but then again she couldn't go on with her life hiding her true love.

"Well David! Honey it's good to hear your voice!" Eva exclaimed.

"Hey mom, how are things?" David asked nervously.

Eva lay back on her couch kicking her shoes off. "Well things are just fine. How are you?"

David took a deep breath. "I'm really good mom."

Eva didn't believe him. "Are you sure? Honey you sound kind of... well I don't know kind of sad?"

David felt his heart aching. "No I'm fine. Mom, I need for you and dad to come to my apartment tomorrow night."

"Well it's about time you invite us over. Every time we want to go you always make up an excuse for us not to go."

"I know. I'm sorry but you really have to come over. I need to talk to you both."

Eva raised her body up and frowned. "Ok. We'll be there. I'll let your father know. I do hope you're Ok David."

"Alright then I will see you both tomorrow night then," David said quietly hanging up the phone.

He sat back on his chair in his office and almost felt like crying. He hated hurting anyone especially his parents. It was going to be so hard. The hardest decision he'd ever make but he knew it was for the best.

"You're two minutes late," Amber teased inviting Gabriel into her apartment.

Gabriel laughed. "I'm sorry, I had a hell of a time getting her. Traffic was awful even this time of night believe it or not."

Amber shrugged. "It's ok. Here have a seat; I've made some coffee if you care for some. Along with... now don't laugh... some coffee cake that I made all by myself."

Gabriel had to smile. "Oh? You bake?"

"Not really. I've made it only a few times. One of the very few things my mother taught me to make."

Gabriel took a seat as Amber began to pour the coffee. "Tell me about your parents. You rarely talk about them.'

This was a subject Amber didn't want to talk about but felt she needed to. "Well, what can I say, my parents are both business people, my mom owns her own catering company and my father works in advertising. They are very busy people."

"Too busy not to have time for their own daughter?"

Amber nodded. "Yup you got that right. But it's ok I mean they help me with my rent and other things. I have to be grateful for that at least."

Gabriel took a sip of coffee. "Well it's nice to have parents that'll help you out."

Amber brought out the coffee cake and placed it on the table. Gabriel smiled and she cut a piece placing it on a small plate. "But enough about that, here you go. Now taste it and be honest."

Gabriel took a bite of the moist cake. "Hmmm, let's see... it's very soft, has a lot of flavor, it's OK I guess."

Amber playfully hit his arm.

"I'm kidding it's awesome. Very good. I know I'm going to ask for seconds."

Amber joined him over coffee and cake and they chatted more about school, life, and friends.

"You know Becky hasn't called me yet. I wonder if she just said she'd call me just to get me to shut up."

"I don't think that's the case. I mean she has school that keeps her busy."

Amber sighed. "Well I have a job and school and yet I still manage to make time for... friends," she said slowly looking at Gabriel.

"Yeah, friends, " Gabriel almost hesitated to say the "f" word.

There was an awkward silence and they both knew it was almost impossible to stay friends. There was definitely a spark between them but neither one wanted to admit it, at least not yet.