AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Eighteen,” I say.
He laughs. “You’re kidding, right?”
With a death glare, I say, “No, why?”
“If I had to be judged by how I was at eighteen, I’d still be the guy who broke up with his girlfriend by bringing her an ex-Mas present.”
“What’s an ex-Mas present?”
“I thought it was a cool way to break up with her. Instead of a Christmas gift, I bought her an ex-Mas one. I didn’t think she was that into me, to begin with. I even had the card and everything.”
“What did you give her?” Blake asks.
“I don’t recall, but she smashed it on my head pretty hard.”
“As she should,” I say.
“What a tool,” Gabriel says.
“As if you’re one to talk,” Thomas snaps. “Remember that time you forgot it was Georgia Williams’s birthday and broke up with her on her porch? And then she entered the house with makeup running down her cheeks just as a million people shot up from behind the couch and yelled, ‘Surprise,’ while as many phone cameras took her picture.”
Blake turns toward her boyfriend, scowling. “Shame on you.”
Gabriel glares at his brother. “At least I didn’t do it on purpose and buy her a birthd-ex present! Mine was an honest mistake.”
“My point is.” Thomas faces me again. “Boys at eighteen are dumb. Give the guy another chance. What’s the worst that could happen?”
I have to force my lips not to twist with terror as I say, “He could break my heart again.”
“Then be safe and single and sad…”
I meet Blake’s eyes. “Is he always like that?”
She nods. “You get used to it after a while.”
Thomas bats his lashes at me. “Ladies usually love me.”
I give him the sweetest smile. “Unless they’re PhD smart.”
“Ouch, Marissa, below the belt.” His gaze drops to his lap. “I was just trying to be helpful, give you a man’s perspective,” he says in such a saddened tone I immediately feel guilty and teary. The smallest things make me cry these days. I was tough before, I swear, but this pregnancy thing has turned me into a crier.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“No, it’s okay.” He sighs. “Maybe petting the cat would help.”
I hand him Latte.
Once the cat is secure in his lap, Thomas raises his head with a wicked smile. “Okay, so what advice do you brilliant people have for me?”
I shove him aside. “You’re such a jerk. Give me the cat back.”
“Naaah, I’m feeling vulnerable again.” He makes big, puppy-dog eyes.
Despite myself, I laugh and shake my head.
Thomas winks at me. “See? You’re smiling finally. Everything will be all right.”
If only I could believe him.
