A Forbidden Love (Book 1)

The Unexpected

Andreas' POV

    Why was it so cold out here? It was extremely unusual for it to be this cold, it normally didn't start getting cold until around February. Apparently it was even supposed to snow tonight. So I wasn't planning on being at the gallery too late.

As I make my way out of the parking garage and towards the gallery I can't help but to think about what just happened between me and Naomi. I completely lost control of myself, and any sense I had had totally left my brain. I was so close to kissing her. Her lips looked so plump and I just wanted to taste them. Thank God I just kissed her cheek at the last minute.

She looked so beautiful and my coat around her shoulders made her look so tiny. 'Wait— my coat!' the thought snaps me out of my daydream.

I look down at what I have on and all I had on was my long sleeve black shirt. How could I have forgotten it. I swear this girl is making me act like I'm 20 again.

Rounding the corner to the gallery I walk in and my body instantly starts to heat up. I warm myself up by hugging myself. I look up and see Jean , the greeter for the gallery, staring at me with a comical look on her face.

"Where'd your coat go Andreas?" She says laughing.

"Oh" I laugh "looks like I left it at the coffee shop" I say lying .

Jean gives me a weird look "oh" she says not completely believing it. "Who was that beautiful girl earlier? She was so sweet! Is she one of Dana's family members?" She asks.

I internally roll my eyes. How could she think just because Naomi was black, and I knew her that that meant she had to be related to Dana some how.

I remember the first time I brought Dana to an art show that this particular gallery was holding. Me and Jean had been getting along well as I worked to curate pieces for the show day in and day out. I could honestly say she made the days go by faster. But when I finally introduced my wife to her, she had a shocked look on her face. I could tell she hadn't expected Dana to be a black woman, and ever since then, me and Jean haven't been the same. It upsets me that people take offense to me and Dana being together. But times have been getting a little better, people don't stare as much as they did back in the 90s.

I quiet my thoughts, putting on an unbothered face I say "No she's Damien's gir-girlfriend" I say stuttering. Why did I just stutter?

"Ohh I see" Jean says awkwardly. "Well I'll let you get back to your artwork, just give me a yell if you need anything"

"Definitely" I say and make my way to the back office.

There were a little more people in the gallery than when me and Naomi had left about an hour ago.

I walk into my office and I see Luke sitting at his computer. Me and Luke do business for hours and periodically go into the gallery to make sure everything is running smoothly, or to greet the people.

The entire day I try my best to keep Naomi off my mind but I can't help to think about her constantly. Driving home I start to get anxious. What if Naomi brings out a part of my personality I've tried to work so hard to suppress. I don't want to become the controlling and obsessive man I used to be. The man that pushed Dana away.

I arrive at my home to see Damien's car in the driveway. Hmm that's odd. I think to myself.

I park the car in the garage and sit and try to collect my thoughts before I walk in the house. I get out of the SUV and wind my way through the dark and crowded garage.

We really needed to clean this place out. It was full of old memories . Some memories that brought back painful emotions too.

Walking in the door I quickly turn the alarm off and I hear talking coming from the dining room.