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“No, tell me. We can go in the back where it’s quiet.”
I shook my head. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Just got some interesting news.”
Her eyes went wide. “Is your mom okay?”
I squeezed her hands. “Yes, yes. It’s really not a big deal. Just something that had me a little upset, but I’m here with you now to cheer me up.”
I attempted another smile, and it felt a little bit better.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
I nodded.
“Okay then. How about a drink?” She smiled softly.
“Yes, please.” I sat on a stool and watched as Esme made me a drink. I was distracted from watching my bartender work by a loud shrieking noise and cheering coming from the restaurant section. Must be someone’s birthday. I glanced over and had to grip the bar so I didn’t fall off my stool as I watched Wyatt’s parents and Gretchen’s parents hug the parents-to-be. I guess Em hadn’t been invited to the announcement.
Well, there was the cake. It was too far away for me to read, but I was sure Linley had done a beautiful job.
Gretchen had her arms around Wyatt and a huge smile on her face. He was grinning as well, but I knew him well enough to know that he was flipping out inside. He kept clenching and unclenching one fist at his side. His parents looked stunned, but happy.
Something inside me broke and I needed to get away from this place. I somehow got my feet under me and stumbled toward the back door of the bar that led to the little smoking area that had some rickety picnic tables, a few rotted lawn chairs, and a sad string of party lights.
I put my hands on my knees and tried to stop myself from hyperventilating. A warm hand rested on my back, but I was too worked up to worry about it.
“Hey, what’s wrong, Paige? I saw you run out and I’m really getting worried about you.”
Esme’s voice was tight with concern as her hand worked in soothing circles.
I wasn’t in danger of hyperventilating or passing out anymore, and I didn’t think there were enough tears left in my body, so I just kind of fell into the nearest chair.
Esme crouched next to me and moved my hair out of my face.
“What happened?” she asked.
There was no way to pass my reaction off anymore as “nothing.”
“I don’t know if you saw in there, but my ex, Wyatt apparently knocked up Gretchen and they brought both their parents here to celebrate. I found out earlier because Linley made the cake and told me. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I don’t know why I didn’t,” I said.
I should have told her, but I hadn’t wanted to distract her from work, or act like I was making a bigger deal out this than it was.
“I’m sorry, Paige. That must be awful to see them right in your face like that,” she said.
Her hand continued to stroke my shoulder.
“It’s not like I’m still in love with him or want him back. He can choke, for all I care, but it was still a lot to see that. It just hurts. I thought I was really over him.” With the exception of the whole revenge plot that she didn’t know about.
“Having this reaction doesn’t mean anything other than you’re hurting, and that’s okay. It’s normal to be upset about an ex,” she said.
I guess that was true. It wasn’t like I could just turn off the love switch when I wanted to. If I never saw Wyatt again, I would still have the memories of the time we’d spent together. The nights we’d shared. The good times we’d had.
“You’re so good at this, Esme. I don’t know how you do it, but every time I feel like shit, you manage to make me feel better,” I said.
She just fluttered her hand.
“It’s a gift.”
I sat back in the chair and sighed. “I only came here to see you and have a drink, and then I was going over to Linley’s for wallowing.”
