Updated Feb 25, 2026 • ~5 min read
POV: Gabi
I change outfits seven times.
“You look great in all of them,” Paloma says via FaceTime.
“But which one says ‘I’m ready to move on but also terrified’?”
“The blue dress. Definitely the blue dress.”
I put it on.
Look in the mirror.
This is the first date where I’m just me.
Not Brandon’s wife.
Not a fraud victim.
Just Gabriella.
Doorbell rings at exactly 7 PM.
I open it.
Nix is standing there in dark jeans and a button-down shirt.
Holding flowers.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“You look beautiful.”
“You look pretty good yourself.”
He hands me the flowers.
Sunflowers.
My favorite.
“How did you know?”
“I’m an investigator. I investigated.”
I laugh.
Put the flowers in water.
Grab my jacket.
“Ready?”
“Ready.”
NIX
I take her to a rooftop restaurant in Capitol Hill.
Quiet. Romantic. Amazing view.
“This is gorgeous,” she says.
“Thought you deserved somewhere special.”
We sit.
Order drinks.
“I’m nervous,” she admits.
“Why?”
“Because this is my first real date in four years. And I don’t know how to do this anymore.”
“You’re doing fine.”
“I haven’t even ordered yet.”
“And you’re already doing fine.”
She smiles.
Relaxes slightly.
“Tell me something about you,” she says. “Something I don’t know.”
I think.
“I wanted to be a musician. Before becoming a PI.”
“Really? What instrument?”
“Piano. Studied it for years. Almost went to Berklee.”
“What happened?”
“Life. Money. Reality. Became a cop instead. Then a PI.”
“Do you still play?”
“Sometimes. When I can’t sleep.”
“I’d like to hear you play someday.”
“Maybe someday I’ll let you.”
We order food.
Keep talking.
She tells me about her photography.
How she started.
Why she loves it.
“I like capturing moments. Real moments. Not posed. Not fake. Just… truth.”
“Is that why you were so upset about Brandon using your photos?”
“Partly. He took something real—me—and turned it into something fake. A weapon.”
“But you took it back.”
“We took it back.”
I reach across the table.
Take her hand.
“I’m proud of you. For fighting. For surviving.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You could have. But I’m glad you didn’t have to.”
GABI
After dinner, we walk.
Along the waterfront.
It’s cold.
Nix puts his jacket around my shoulders.
“I can’t take your jacket—”
“Yes you can.”
We walk to a bench.
Sit.
Watch the ferries cross Elliott Bay.
“Can I ask you something?” I say.
“Anything.”
“That question in court. About having personal feelings for me. When did you know?”
He’s quiet for a moment.
“The first meeting. In my office. You were terrified but determined. And I thought, ‘This woman is either incredibly brave or incredibly stubborn.'”
“And which is it?”
“Both.”
I laugh.
“When did you know you wanted to date me?”
“The night at the wine bar. When you confronted Brandon wearing my recording equipment. I watched you face your worst fear and I thought, ‘Yeah. This is someone I could fall for.'”
“Could?”
He turns to me.
“Did. This is someone I did fall for.”
My breath catches.
“Nix—”
“I know the timing was wrong. I know it was complicated. But Gabi, I’ve been falling for you since day one. And now that you’re free, I don’t want to wait anymore.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I want this. You and me. For real. Not just a case. Not just friends. I want to date you. Take you to dinner. Learn everything about you. And see where this goes.”
Tears prick my eyes.
“I want that too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
He cups my face.
Leans in slowly.
“Can I kiss you?”
I don’t answer.
I close the distance.
Press my lips to his.
The kiss is soft.
Tentative.
Then deeper.
His hands in my hair.
My hands on his chest.
This is what a real kiss feels like.
Not obligation.
Not performance.
Just want.
Pure want.
We break apart.
Both breathing hard.
“Wow,” I breathe.
“Yeah. Wow.”
He rests his forehead against mine.
“I’ve wanted to do that for months.”
“Me too.”
“Worth the wait?”
“Absolutely.”
We sit there.
His arm around me.
My head on his shoulder.
“What happens now?” I ask.
“Now we date. Properly. Slowly. No rushing.”
“I like slow.”
“Good. Because I want to do this right.”
“Define right.”
“Dinners. Movies. Meeting each other’s families. Getting to know each other without fraud cases and trials hanging over us.”
“That sounds perfect.”
He kisses my forehead.
“You deserve perfect, Gabi.”
“So do you.”
NIX
I drive her home.
Walk her to her door.
“Thank you for tonight,” she says.
“Thank you for giving me a chance.”
“Are you kidding? You saved my life. Literally.”
“You saved yourself. I just helped document it.”
She unlocks her door.
Turns back.
“Same time next week?”
“How about same time tomorrow?”
She grins.
“Tomorrow works.”
I kiss her again.
Can’t help myself.
She melts into it.
When we break apart, she’s smiling.
“Goodnight, Nix.”
“Goodnight, Gabi.”
I wait until she’s inside.
Then I walk to my car.
And I smile.
Because for the first time in years, everything feels right.
GABI
I close the door.
Lean against it.
I’m divorced.
Brandon’s in prison.
And I just had the best first date of my life.
My phone buzzes.
Nix: Already miss you.
I smile.
Me: Same. See you tomorrow?
Nix: Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.
I get ready for bed.
Look at myself in the mirror.
I’m not Brandon’s wife anymore.
Not a victim.
Not a scandal.
I’m just Gabriella.
And that’s enough.
More than enough.
END OF ACT TWO
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