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“He didn’t!” Gemma asked, taken aback by Leah’s revelation.
“He did. I’m outside your door,” Leah replied, ending the call on her cell. As soon as Gemma opened her front door, Leah crumpled, allowing Gemma to wrap her arms around her shoulders.
Masculine voices and grunts came from the dining room so she straightened up, regaining her composure. She’d forgotten about the weekly poker game Chase, Gemma’s husband had with his friends. With a deep, cleansing breath, she allowed Gemma to lead her into the kitchen.
“Explain to me again what happened,” Gemma said, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and handing it to Leah.
Grabbing the bottle, but not opening it, Leah paced the kitchen floor. It was that or scream. “He’s moving to Chicago. He told me he applied out there, but never in a million years did I think…” Lean flung her arms in the air. “Can you believe him?”
“What else did he say?” Gemma asked calmly, making Leah grateful her friend was the levelheaded one of the two.
“He’s not ready to get married. He thought it was best we call it quits now.” She put her hands on her hips and looked down. When her throat tightened, she kicked off her shoes, hearing the clank as they hit the kitchen island.
Gemma folded her arms. “Well…”
“Well, what?”
“At least he was honest with you.”
Leah’s eyebrows furrowed. “You’re taking his side? We were supposed to get married. I would finally going to get my happily ever after. You know… like you and Chase.”
“First,” Gemma replied. “I’m on your side. Every time. Second, you will get your happily ever after. Third, Chase and I have only been married for two years. I spent most of my relationship denying my feelings for him.”
Leah rested her hands on the counter. “Why do men do this? They want a good woman.” Leah pointed to herself. “Hello? There’s one standing right here!”
Gemma opened her mouth to respond, but they both heard Chase’s call.
“Babe? The guys are getting restless for your salsa.”
Gemma made her way over to the refrigerator to retrieve her famous salsa. Even Leah had a hard time resisting her friend’s cooking. Too bad it wasn’t guacamole, or Leah would drown her sorrows in it with a bag of tortilla chips.
“Coming,” Gemma said as she prepared the serving tray.
Leah bit her bottom lip. “I’ll take it. I could use a man’s opinion about my situation.” She turned to leave, but Gemma took her arm.
“Not a good idea.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t bash the male species—at least not today.”
Leah reached for the food tray, but Gemma retrieved it first. Still, she followed her friend to the dining room. All five men acknowledged them, and Leah suddenly recalled she was barefoot in her cocktail dress. Still, she forced a smile. Leah recognized all of them: Tyler, to Chase’s right, owned the coffee shop, Miles ran a furniture store, Kent was a teacher, and last, Cooper was a member of their town council.
“Gentleman,” Leah greeted.
Each man nodded with a smile. Tyler even waved.
“Hey, Leah. Are you okay?” Chase asked.
“I’m fine. I don’t understand men. Is there a something I’m missing? Do you all think—”
Gemma took her friend’s hand. “We’ll be in the kitchen. You men can get back to your game.”
Leah rolled her shoulders. Her emotions were getting the best of her. She would probably regret her small outburst tomorrow, but she was on a roll. Gemma led her back to the kitchen and, once they were alone, asked, “What was that?”
Leah exhaled deeply. “I don’t know. I’m sorry.” She covered her face with her hands. Thankfully, her friend took it as a sign and hugged her. Leah refused to cry as her friend embraced her.
“It will be okay,” Gemma assured her as she broke their embrace. “Brian will regret his decision. You’re a catch, and one day, you’ll meet the right guy for you.”
Leah’s heart felt like it was shrinking. “Should I… go back and apologize? I didn’t say anything too far out there did I?”
