An Archangel's Promise Read Online Free

Gabriella loved
her brother dearly, but had only agreed to it because it would have looked
extremely bad for both of them had Nolan not gotten his sister—one of the
biggest event planners in the city—to cater the event.
    “Gabriella,” Nolan called out to her.
    Damn. She had been hoping to make it to the bar for a drink
before someone spotted her.
    Turning, she plastered on the biggest fake smile she could
muster. “Hey, big brother. Is something wrong?”
    Please, God, don’t let anything be wrong.
    Stopping in front of her, Nolan laughed. “No, I was just
going to say how wonderful things are. You are such a gem, doing all those last
minute things for me.”
    “It was no problem.” Which was, of course, a lie.
    Just getting the rooftop restaurant had been a struggle.
When her brother and his colleagues had insisted on hiring out the observation
deck on the floor below, it had taken everything she had to get it done. It had
only been due to the fact that Gabriella owned one of the top-floor apartments
in the building, and had brought a lot of high-end business their way in the
past, that the management had agreed. She hadn’t been certain the new owners of
the tower would agree, having never met them before, but as luck would have it,
they were happy to accommodate her. After all the hassles, she was surprised
she had survived with her sanity intact.
    “And I have to say, you look great,” Nolan said.
    She probably would have been more thrilled with the
compliment had he not sounded so shocked. Granted, Gabriella usually didn’t put
much effort into her appearance, but when she worked, she worked it. Tonight
she had her long hair twisted to the side in a simple bohemian braid and was
wearing a sleeveless, emerald cocktail dress. The dress was one of her
favorites, with a plunging neckline and ruched chiffon details. She loved
wearing the color because it enhanced her eyes, making their emerald coloring
shine brighter. She’d topped it off with a killer pair of diamante covered
four-inch stilettos.
    “Do you have to sound so surprised?” She raised an eyebrow.
    Nolan’s response was to mimic the move. She sighed, knowing
he was right. Once upon a time she would have never left the house without a
certain amount of preparation, but that was when she had someone to dress up
for. Now, Gabriella only dressed up for work, needing the clients to see her a
certain way. Event planning was all about glam, and while she loved the thrill
of a deadline, of planning a memorable event, and loved the outcome, outside of
work her passion for most things had died years ago. Along with the young girl
who still believed the boy she loved was alive and would come back to her.
    Nolan wrapped an arm around her, tilting his head to her
outfit. “You should dress up more often, sis. It might help you meet someone.”
    “Nolan.” It was a warning for him to stop.
    “Yeah, I know.” He sighed, frowning. “I just don’t want you
to wake up one day and realize you missed out on your life because you were too
busy looking at the past.”
    She knew he worried about her, but she could never properly
explain how she felt. “I get what you’re saying, I do, but…”
    “But part of you still thinks he’ll come back,” he finished
for her. The look of pity on his face was like a knife in the stomach.
    Yes. That was exactly it, and no matter how crazy it
sounded, she couldn’t squash the feeling that she was supposed to wait for him.
What she would do if he actually turned up, she had no idea.
    Shrugging, because it was the only response she could give Nolan,
she saw the moment he gave up.
    “Okay, well, at least stop flitting around and enjoy the
party. There’s nothing else to be done, and you’re giving me a headache.”
    “I suppose you’re right.” She laughed. Maybe it wouldn’t
hurt to have a little fun.
    “Of course I am.” Nolan grabbed a glass of champagne from
the waiter and held it out to her. “Now, drink