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Her chest rose with a deep breath and then collapsed. She looked at me with a sincere yet regretful look in her eyes. “Where did Richard tell you he grew up?”
“He never did…He just said he grew up near a river. In hindsight, I probably should have asked more.”
“He grew up in Mississippi, but his family moved here when he was a junior in high school.” I turned to her, confused. “Richard and I have known each other since high school. He was a junior, and I was a freshman when things got complicated…”
“Gabby…what happened?”
“Nothing bad like what you’re probably thinking. It was actually kind of stupid. I had a schoolgirl crush on him. He thought it would be funny to lead me on for months. I mean, I thought the guy had created the sun back then. He just saw me as an annoying little girl when he broke my heart.”
“Oh, Gabby,” I set my hand on her shoulder.
“It was a long time ago, but it shot my confidence in love. It made me an easy target for people like Jackson and continually messes with my relationship with Nathaniel. But I’m working through it. It’s crazy that what someone does to you at fourteen can follow you for a long time.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You seemed to like him, and he was also a kid back then. We all make mistakes, and this was a childish one. People grow up, and they change. I didn’t want to ruin what he could be for you.”
I hugged my best friend tightly. “You are too sweet for your own good.”
“I’m sorry about everything, Blake. Him. Erik. Parker. You’re set to be hurt, and it’s all my fault.”
“What do you mean it’s your fault?”
“I was the one that pushed you to go out with Parker. I was the one who kept pushing you to enjoy life more, and it’s about to destroy you. I’m so sorry.”
Gabby never cried, so the sight of tears in her eyes was foreign, and I didn’t know how to comfort her. On one hand, she was right. Every risk I had taken in the last three months was thanks to her advice. But she was completely wrong if she thought I believed it to have been a mistake. Everything I did was my choice, and I would do it all over again regardless of how much it hurts.
“Gabby, no. Please, no. You have no reason to feel bad about anything. I chose to do all of this. I could have stopped it at any point, but I didn’t. I knew what I was signing up for. And guess what? Now, I have three months of wonderful memories and learning experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. No matter how I feel or what happens, this does not go in my regret column. I have felt more in the last three months than in the last three years, and I would rather have the memories than nothing at all.”
There was a beat of pensive silence between us. Tears rolled down both of our cheeks.
“You love him, don’t you?”
I sighed. “Unfortunately.”
Chapter Thirty
Thursday night.
Two days left.
The smiling faces in the private event room in the back of the restaurant stared at Connor as he got ready to start his speech. We were celebrating the launch of Project Porcelain as a team. His wife stood proudly next to him, holding their daughter’s hand and ready to pop with their son any day now.
Everyone involved in the project was invited, including the rest of the leadership team from Capital Media. Hugh, Connor’s right-hand man, flew in from California for it. Amelia’s wife Kate flew in from Texas to celebrate. She was the complete opposite of Amelia, according to Parker. They must balance each other well because they seem as happy as I have seen anyone be. Kate and Parker were just as close as he and Amelia were. The three of them kept making little bets along with Amanda.
I bet you Parker will order a lemonade and not a Coke. He did.
I bet you Amelia will trip over the ledge at least once if she goes to the bathroom. She did not.
It was interesting.
Connor clinked his glass, and we all took our seats.
Stephen was joined by his carbon copy daughter. She and Desha were chatting about the Barbie movie and how her dad was awesome for taking her. Jamie’s boyfriend was chatting with Nathaniel about their common sales background and making sports jokes. I had a feeling that Nathaniel had his eye on him as the next member of their softball league.
Gabby didn’t leave my side all night, which might have been the only thing keeping me from falling apart. I avoided talking to anyone as much as I could, afraid I wouldn’t be able to contain myself.
“All right, everyone,” Connor cleared his throat. “Thank you all for coming tonight and celebrating the successful launch of Project Porcelain with us. On behalf of Capital Media, I want to extend our most sincere thank you to the Truly You team for the faith and confidence you placed in us to handle this. I am very proud of what our teams have accomplished and look forward to a continued productive relationship between our two companies.”
