Walking Red Flag (Ocean View #2)

by Morgan Elizabeth

“You’re it for me, Gabi.” Again, the words circle. They’re too much to understand, so far beyond anything I know to be true. You’re it for me, Gabi. You’re it for me, Gabi. You’re it for me, Gabi. It clicks in my mind, like a LEGO in my brain, staying there. Cemented forever. You’re it for me, Gabi. He sees it and goes forward. “I want you to be mine. And I want to be yours. Not temporarily to teach you things or to get my mom off my ass, which was a bullshit excuse, by the way. But because I’ve fallen head over heels for you.” My breathing stops, frozen in my lungs. “How’s that for a confession?” I gloss right on over the “bullshit excuse” part and move right on. “But… but…” I stop stuttering. “That’s impossible.” He laughs, the sound deep, the smile easy. “Not impossible. I’m very much in love with you, Gabrielle Nicolette Mancini.” In love with me. The world swirls around me, a confusion of colors and noises and feelings and… I’m overwhelmed. Nothing makes sense. Up is down and left is right and red is green and Victor Brandt loves me. “You can’t.” “Why’s that?” “Because you’re… Vic.” “Yeah.” The words are a laugh and it’s starting to get annoying. How dare he laugh when I am having a mental crisis. “But… you’re…” Should I say it? Would that be offensive? I mean, it’s true, but… “What am I, Gabi?” “You’re a fucking walking red flag!” I shout, the words flying from my mouth. I clap my hands there as if I can drag them back in. “What?” he says, the smile on his face telli...